Vice-President of Bharat, Jagdeep Dhankhar, expressed deep concern over forces attempting to amplify artificial divides within the nation and warned against engineered demographic shifts that could threaten the country’s inclusivity. Speaking at the launch of the book I AM?, compiled by Gopichand P Hinduja, Chairman of the Hinduja Group, at the Vice-President’s Enclave, Dhankhar the importance of Bharatiyata, which he described as a symbol of unity in diversity.
In his address, the Vice-President lamented that despite being aware of the dangers of divisive strategies, certain individuals remain bound by partisan and narrow interests. “The wholesome scenario [development of the nation] faces forces seeking to exploit and perniciously amplify artificial divides of caste, class, creed, color, culture, and cuisine. It is excruciating pain at my level, in my position, that people with deep understanding of the dangers that are inherent in such an approach [are] tied to partisan interests, narrow interests,” he stated.
Jagdeep Dhankhar highlighted that I AM? emphasises the universal relevance of Bharatiyata and its ability to accommodate all faiths without enforcing uniformity. “We can respect and appreciate others’ truth without alluring conversions. Unity means no uniformity. Bharatiyata is a perfect example. It exemplifies unity in diversity,” he remarked.
He further stressed that true tolerance does not mean dominance over others. Advocating for dialogue over disruption and consensus over conflict, he warned against the perils of a rigid confrontational stance. “Irretrievable confrontational stance is antithetical to the essence of all faiths and smacks of misplaced self-righteousness and judgmental approach,” he added.
Expressing grave concerns over demographic engineering, the Vice-President noted that if the objective behind orchestrated changes is to secure supremacy over others, it poses a serious challenge. “If the object is to secure supremacy, primacy over others, subject others to hegemony by demographic prowess, then the concern is extreme,” he said.
He pointed out that Bharat, as the world’s largest democracy and a nation that has historically upheld inclusivity, is now facing threats from “sinister forces” who propagate anti-national narratives and facilitate demographic changes through illegal migration and conversions. “Sinister forces with a strategist, inimical stance, even to the idea of Bharat are unfortunately securing space by way of orchestrated anti-national narratives, non-organic engineered demographic variations, influx of illegal migrants in millions, and alluring conversions,” he cautioned.
The Vice-President also criticised the exploitation of faith through coercion or material inducements. “Belief in faith is voluntary. It must be the call of conscience. Faith generated by doctrine or manipulation is pathetic exploitation, the worst form of human exploitation, if it is by way of allurements and temptations,” he asserted.
