By Polls Result: A Blow to Religious Aspirations

With BJP receiving its biggest setback post general elections in the recent round of by polls, the word Secularism is back to the forefront. In Indian scenario the concept of secularism is most misconstrued. Come elections, the issues of religion are on the fore front.  Religion card even now seems to play a crucial role in elections. It is unfortunate that in the era of technology, religious conflagrations are on rise and people in India can be incensed on religious lines. Theological differences are not new to India. But rifts along religious lines have opened up due to covert secularism professed by Indian political parties.

While one national party has reincarnated itself as the saviour of minorities by appeasing them, the other has its roots in the orthodoxy and the intolerance of the dissent. Both of them have become two decrepit versions of secularism. One stereotyped as anti-Hindu and the other baptised as communal or Hindutva cult. The impetuous attempt to carve a special place for minorities laid foundation for proliferation of the Hindutva cult. Sadly, the diatribes of the later cult through their vitriolic speeches have usurped the benign face of Hinduism. Regional parties that play a larger role in Indian federal setup aren’t far behind in propounding their own version of secularism. Thus, religious freedom has been deeply concocted in this great democracy by all the parties. Consequently, the issue of religion in Indian context is dubbed either as communal, favouring the majority or championing minorities if it appeases minorities. Among these, there exists an elite irreligious class too. Political parties should fend off these old tricks under the guise of secularism. They should refrain from doling out sops to minorities and from unleashing avenging rage among the Hindus. Instead a charter of righteousness must be propounded, where people can rise above religious divide and live in harmony and peace. The new generation modern Indian aspires to espouse religious neutrality and to uphold the law at all times.

It is time politicians and apostles of religious cults in fray to abdicate from these affiliations and strive to build a strong nation. India’s greatest strength is its diversity. Any disturbance to its basic entity would be disastrous. NDA government could register a thumping victory trouncing the oldest political party because of its promise of development and good governance. A convincing victory of BJP in general elections defied the predictions of many political commentators who dismissed the Modi Wave. They predicted that party would be trampled under the weight of its Hindutva ideology. But the new generation has voted them into power. Rejuvenated by its resounding success, complacent leaders allowed the fringe elements to play a bigger role in the by polls. Even though the party may not attribute the defeat to acerbic campaigning style, results indicate that voters are irate.  Any deviation from the development agenda might spell drubbing in the elections hence forth. Hence Modi government must castigate the cultist fringe elements that thrive on identity politics within the administration. The honey moon period of 100 days is over and voters are impatient waiting for the deliverables. By and large the by poll verdict clearly indicates that people are aspiring for a better country. They are waiting for the new set of economic reforms which can curtail the stagflationary spiral. Instead of stooping down to the new lows of religiously bickering administration must evince humanist values and work towards developmental goals.

 

 

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