By Prof Dhirendra Sharma
Prof Chandhoke in “The State-breaking is not nation making” (in a leading national newspaper), referring to abrogation of Article 370, justifies the violence with “it is the struggle for the identity of minorities that leads to some of the most bitter conflicts in human history.”
Historical factors notwithstanding, the Muslim separatists have led the South Asian community back into the partition syndrome. The communal cold-war politics has blinded the leaders, who are defending the out-dated sub-national and sectarian identities. But, we are in the digital age, when social-financial institutions are secular, irrespective of gender, caste, region or religion. Education, health services, banking and transport systems are all secular in today’s global-techno systems world order. This is what is meant by Modi’s call for One Nation under Secular Democracy.
Unfortunately, the anti-Modi camp ignores the fact that the separatists’ slogan is: Hans ke liya hai Pakistan, ladh ke lenge Hindustan. Many ancient historical monuments – Avantipuram is one example – have been destroyed. The ancient cultural institutions in Kashmir (also in Afghanistan) have been destroyed by the Islamists.
The conflict, therefore, is not the denial or the abrogation of “Muslim minority rights” but Secular Democratic Governance against Communal Politics.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was President of the Republic and AB Vajpayee the Prime Minister when the Kashmiri separatists had attacked the Indian Parliament.
Within the Muslim majority nations, e.g., Afghanistan and Arab-Islamic countries, the raping and killing of thousands of Muslims cannot be blamed on Modi’s Majoritarian (Hindutva) government. Religion is the Opium of the masses, said Karl Marx.
The Islamists have led the South Asian community back into the partition syndrome. But there is no distinct blood group that separates the Kashmiris from Indians, Shias from Sunnis, or the Indians from Pakistanis. The Indian Prime Minister is the first world leader who has given the 21st century scientific mantra, ‘The World Is One Family’. Narendra Modi has commanded the South Asian peoples to pursue the common struggle: To fight against poverty; not each other.
