Who Will Speak Up Against Majority Groups That Spew Hate
The India Commentary view
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By Our Editorial Team
First publised on 2022-10-06 10:18:31
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The India Commentary view
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It was good
on part of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to remind the minorities that they should
speak up when there is violence, more specifically referring to the crimes
committed in Udaipur and Amravati after the row over the controversial remarks
on Prophet Mohammed. But it was sad that at the same time, Bhagwat did not
remind the hotheads in the majority community to refrain from minority baiting
by indulging in hate speeches or targeting the minorities through other means. Social
responsibility cannot be sought to be fixed in a partisan manner.
It is
indeed surprising that while the government talks about inclusive development
and sabka saath sabka vishwas and sabka vikas, it does nothing to rein in
people from the majority community, including religious leaders addressing
so-called dharam sansads, from issuing threats, not even veiled, to the
minorities. Is this the way to win sabka vishwas?
While
Bhagwat calls upon minority leaders to condemn violence, he does not call upon
the Hindu leaders to show restraint and treat the minorities with the respect
they deserve as fellow Indians or prod the government to take strict action
against those who demonize the minorities or even Hindus who oppose them.
It is clear
to most observers, except perhaps to those who are turning a blind eye to
recent developments, that India is hurtling down a path that will lead to
extreme mistrust between communities on the one hand and exclude the minorities
from the national mainstream on the other. It is necessary that the tide is
reversed and India is able to achieve its true potential by having harmonious
relations between communities so that each productive member of the population
contributes his or her full might for the development of the nation.
