Islam propagates the use of politically and religiously-motivated violence to consolidate its hold and sway over modern India
The writing on the wall is clear. The sooner we realise that a weak-knead appeasement policy won’t work, it is better for the future of our civilisation
Jahangirpuri’s communal clashes are yet another grim reminder foreboding eruption of more violent and large-scale sectarian violence – viciously churning communal conflict cauldron that can precipitate horrendous genocide reminiscent of 1947 Partition riots.
After all, Delhi riots in 2020 in Northeast Delhi resulted in the death of 53 people and an unprecedented destruction of public property. Islamophobia is a reality particularly among the Hindu majority. Islam propagates the use of politically and religiously-motivated violence to consolidate its hold and sway over modern India. Recurring riots are a natural fallout with the majority of “Youth Bulge” unemployed and underemployed.
In 1867, “politics is the art of the possible,” said the German statesman Otto von Bismarck. In today’s confrontational and conflictual politics of opposing political parties, contra negotiation, conciliation and consensus act as bedrock of democracy, Bismarck’s statement needs to be consigned to the dustbin of history.
In retrospect, “Politics is the art of Opportunism” is more appropriate to India’s current political dynamics of “Aye Ram, Gaye Ram”.
The writing on the wall is clear even for a fool to read. The sooner we realise that “weak-kneed appeasement politics” is futile, the better it is to curb the menace of communal conflagrations engulfing the country. Sooner we realise that the “bulldozer” policy and tactics are not sufficient to stem communal conflict conflagration, the better it is for the national security interests of modern India.
First, the Government must send a clear signal by declaring modern Bharat as “Hindu Rashtra”. Next, they must ban the PFI, SDPI, CFI and all other fundamentalist organisations without fear and favour. Why dithering and procrastination over the issue? Instead of going on a foreign tour, the Prime Minister must first address the threats churning and brewing internally from radical sleeper outfits sulking and waiting for an opportunity to strike as per directions of their alien handlers.
Why did Parliament not pass strict laws banning radical communal organisations besides clamping down on foreign funds flow to sustain, incite, promote communal divide?
Why did the judiciary fail to take suo moto notice of the emerging situation and direct all other administrative echelons to ensure the maintenance of law and order? Ironic that the Supreme Court has stopped even the “bulldozer” drive to demolish illegal structures of all communities to deter and dissuade communal riots in the future. How can the courts intervene and uphold illegal activities instead of fast pacing drives against them?
Thus, all the Government institutions including legislature, executive and judiciary are to be squarely blamed for recurring communal clashes as precursor to widespread breakout all over India.
Why is the visual media only reacting to developing events instead of directing their so-called investigative journalists to identify and expose the communal die-hards?
No point in “politicisation of riots” after the event and playing “blame games” to score brownie points. Excessive politicistion” only consolidates “excessive polarisation” of society on ‘We’ and ‘They’ basis.
No need for the intellect to predict future forebodings to breakout sooner than later.
No point in after-riots sermons to Delhi Police and other executive machinery to take strict action, which is vague. Why resort to “Reactive Strategy and Policies”? Waking up after the outbreak of clashes exposes intellectual bankruptcy.
Why not formulate and execute “Preventive and pre-emptive Strategy and Policies”? Surely, the Home Ministry – CBI, IB, RAW and other intelligence institutions – have provided their inputs on individuals and organisations and their foreign sponsors to the Ministry. If so, why even now the dithering and procrastination to ban the PFI, SDPI, CFI and other communal organisations?
Khargone in Madhya Pradesh was embroiled in violence during the Ram Navami Shobha Yatra on April 10, 2022. The Shobha Yatra being taken out by devotees had to be abandoned midway after it came under a stone-pelting attack. The violence subsequently escalated as several vehicles were set on fire.
The day after the riots, the Khargone administration took strict action against the Islamist miscreants who had pelted stones at the Ram Navami procession. The illegally constructed buildings used to pelt stones at the procession were razed to the ground by the administration.
Following the news of the Madhya Pradesh Government’s strict action against the stone-pelters, a claim went viral that during its action against the rioters, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan Government also demolished the kiosk of a man who had lost both his arms in an accident in 2005.
In a video, a Muslim man, Wasim Sheikh, was heard saying how the administration demolished his kiosk during the action taken against stone-pelters. The video was first shared by alleged
journalist Kashif Kakvi through her Twitter handle.
The so-called allegation was then shared by several people online, including AIMIM’s Chief Asasuddin Owaisi and Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi.
However, within 24 hours, Wasim Sheikh took a u-turn and said that neither his house nor his kiosk has been demolished by the administration. He even made an appeal to the locals
to maintain peace in the aftermath of the violence
on Ram Navami.
The day after the riots, the Khargone administration took strict action against the miscreants who had pelted stones at the Ram Navami procession. The illegally constructed buildings used for stone-pelting were bulldozed by the administration. Five JCB machines were deployed for the task. According to the reports, 77 people have been arrested who were involved in the stone-pelting.
Amit Shah and the Ministry of Home must send clear directions to the police and other administrative machinery to act fast, smart or proactive and pre-emptive, besides effectively implementing “instant justice” acts.
For example, if a policeman gets injured by a rioter, it is an attempt to murder. Why should the policemen spare such terror acts against them? In self-defence, they must also give spot retributive justice to send the right signal to all alike. Otherwise, police forces would be looked upon like a “joke”.
Not only the five prime accused but all those wielding swords and sticks must be booked under criminal laws. If the Supreme Court is genuinely interested in its activism and intervention, it must constitute a “fast-track court” under its jurisdiction on its campus and deliver time-bound fast track justice – not exceeding 15 days at the most
Not only the five prime accused but all those wielding swords and sticks must be booked under criminal laws. If the Supreme Court is genuinely interested in its activism and intervention, it must constitute a “fast-track court” under its jurisdiction on its campus and deliver time-bound fast track justice – not exceeding 15 days at the most. Otherwise, even the Supreme Court is culpable and accountable for the ongoing communal conflagration.
Next, why the Delhi Police has not arrested all the leaders and riot provocateurs before the event particularly those possessing weapons and ammunition. Even, should they have ordered all those possessing swords to deposit them in the police stations for temporary periods?
Time to review the policy governing ownership of a sword or a machete in India. As per current laws, it is illegal to carry the same when one leaves home. It is also illegal to brandish the same at other people as it is also construed as a weapon capable of causing harm.
If so, why has Delhi Police arrested only those five who used firearms during the riots? All those carrying “swords” and brandishing them in public must also be arrested and criminal action initiated.
High time for Parliament to pass an ordinance to ban possession of swords without licence. Also, to possess and carry long sticks and batons! Take the cue from the US Law from banning the “baton”.
Bharat is passing through extraordinarily contentious times. No longer do various sections believe in shared bonds based on ‘live and let live’ environments, which are ideals of the bygone past.
“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, a Sanskrit phrase found in the Maha Upanishad, which means “The World Is One Family” was a highly idealistic social philosophy when the geographically the world was mostly insular based on a single religious philosophy. Its invocation by political leaders in pursuit of “pseudo-secularism” is absolute utopia, mirage and mercilessly exposed intellectual stupidity.
Most importantly, Indian media is hell-bent upon spinning and sensationalising every single social institution in the name of news coverage. Add to it, the social media, a boon to democracy and freedom of speech and expression, is viciously fragmenting the society.
Conjointly, media is spinning many different versions of political, economic and social ideologies besides history: Radical and communal Hindu and Islamist confrontational ideologies besides pseudo-secular ideologies.
No wonder, India, as a pluralist society, is fragmenting on every single social count. Almost every single institution of society is divided not only on red and blue, left and right but also within each institution like Government establishments, universities, professional associations and even families.
Social media is weaponsing the frivolous. The digital revolution has shattered social harmony. So the public isn’t one thing; it’s highly fragmented, and it’s basically mutually hostile. It’s mostly people yelling at each other and living in bubbles of one sort or another. Social media has made it easier to hold powerful people accountable for their shortcomings, not just in politics but in business, the arts, academia, and elsewhere.
Recent academic studies suggest that social media is indeed corrosive to trust in Governments, news media, and people and institutions in general. This new game played out on social media is to encourage dishonesty and mob dynamics: Users were guided not just by their true preferences but by their past experiences of reward and punishment, and their prediction of how others would react to each new action.
In reality, social media is amplifying political polarisation; fomenting populism, especially radical communal polarisation; and is associated with the spread of misinformation.
In retrospect, media of all types are turning out to be the most pernicious threat to national security. Social media in toe with visual media has accelerated strained cross-political party relationships, particularly after 2014. Now it’s enhanced virility is more hazardous. It is also fraternising with the enemy or even failing to attack the enemy with sufficient vigour.
Viewed in the framework of a vicious social, political and economic environment, persisting with laid-back status quo strategies and policies cannot anymore maintain social harmony and unity so vital for safeguarding national security interests.
Wake Up all alike before it is too late.
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