Religion and Politics

Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. It is the opium of the people-Karl Marx

Politics and religion is a successful mixture in Indian Political past and present. We have to analyse religion in the light of its pros and cons. But human need a line among themselves, in anyway possible. It might be religion, color, creed, race, caste etc. The lines dividing mankind are very potent. They can kill people outside and inside the line too. When, no human on earth, there was no problem. When there was only one, he needed someone for his survival. He was so happy, when he found someone else. But, problems surfaced when they found the third human being. The first line among human being appeared then. Universal Fraternity, brotherhood is possible only when the lines divide the mankind fade away.

                The Hindu Muslim tension has the history of centuries in India and still continues. Since the age of sultans the tension exists. The successful mixing of religion in politics have begun from the so called the period of ‘renaissance of religions’. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan advised the Muslims not to participate in National politics. Dayanandha Saraswathy was active in the Suddhi Movement- Reconversion/Conversion of Muslims into Hindus. Some of the INC leaders did not understand the multi religious nature of the country.  Tilak used Shivaji festival and Ganesh Sathurthi as tools of propaganda. There was a split in the Swaraj Party on religious reasons-for the beef eating cause. Gandhi wanted a 'Ramarajya'.  Majority of Muslims stood aloof from the freedom struggle, after the formation of Muslim League. British viceroyalties used the lines very successfully to perpetuate their rule in India.

                The Contemporary India, though literate, though have a commanding position in international arena, is still very sensitive on religious lines. Demolition of Babri Masjid is the major reason for the contemporary tensions. It was demolished by the Hindu elements on the reason that the Masjid was built after demolishing Rama temple that existed. The day of Demolition, the 6^th December is observed as ‘Black day’. The demolition of Babri Masid resulted into series of bomb blasts all over the country since then.

               
                 WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THESE MISHAPS?

Religions? Or the Followers? No religion sanctions hatred over other religions. It is the followers interpret religions in that way. In fact, all religions have their own demerits also. We cannot glorify all religions because it came from god, or by the prophets. Religion is a formation of likeminded people, in one or the other way and nothing else. Can’t we find disputes among the sects of a religion? They will fight among themselves after having done with the people of other faith. This is true for most of the religions. There is a solution for all these problems. At least a solution that mitigate the problems.


TO BE CONTINUED