B L Saraf
In the weeks gone by we heard two eminent Indians holding eminent positions, though in two different domains, speak about the shining traits which define India in glorious terms and exhorted Indians to do justice to the nation’s glory by avoiding deeds and words which have fissiparous tendencies. Their words have come at a time when nation witnesses a steep rise in divisive politics with competing politicians vying with each other in raising a highly polarizing pitch , only to find a place under the rising political Sun . Chief Justice of India, D Y Chandrachud delivered his speech in the USA and Mohan Bhagwat , Rashtriya Swayem Sevak Sangh Chief spoke in Nagpur.
Mohan Bhagwat called for a national unity urging people to exercise restraint and strive to ” end the prevailing distrust in society by striking friendships.” Delivering annual Vijayadashmi speech in Nagpur on 23rd October, he said , ” those who want unity and those who take pride in real Hidutva , they must restrain their tongues .A call for friendship is not about surrender or cowardice.
Powerful people don’t indulge in hooliganism. They protect the weak .We must avoid provocations which will rise in poll season …” The RSS Chief batted for unity among various sections of the society and said that celebration of diversity over centuries was the force behind India’s unity . While concluding his speech he said “We may worship different faiths but we are all one.”
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud told his audience that the judiciary has a “stabilizing influence “in the evolution of societies which are rapidly growing with technology. C JI made these observations while speaking in the 3rd Comparative Constitutional Law discussion co – hosted by the George Washington University Law Centre and society for Democratic Rights – New Delhi. He said “I do believe that we have a role to play in the overall stability of our own civilizations, our own cultures, particularly in the context of a plural society, such as India.” It must be noted with satisfaction that the C JI has always placed people and their welfare at the centre- stage. An year or so ago, at a function, he emphasized importance of the people and their welfare by observing that it is the people and not the territory that makes nation.
Close on the heels of CJI’s statement , came a reassuring order of the Bombay High Court which quashed the plea to ban Indian companies , citizens and associations from working with Pakistan artists – including actors ,singers , musicians , lyricists and technicians – in India. The Court while rejecting the plea filed by an Indian cine-worker observed that , ” in order to be a patriotic one need not be inimical to those from abroad especially ,from the neighboring country ” and that art , music sports, culture, dance ” rise above nationalities and cultures and truly bring about peace tranquility and harmony in the nation and between nations .”
To his credit, for some time now Mohan Bhagwat has been making efforts to calm down the tempers of his overzealous Pracharaks by laying emphasis on the plurality of our society. Last year he met with Imam in latter’s Delhi house and had an hour long interaction with students studying in a nearby Madrassa. In August 2022, some prominent Muslim intellectuals like MY Quraishi former CEC, Najeeb Jung IAS Rtd, former LG of Delhi, Major General Zamir Uddin Shah former V C of Aligarh Muslim University, Shahid Siddiqui a journalist and Sayeed Sherwani ,the hotelier had called on Sarsanghchalak and , reportedly , had a fruitful interaction with him .
The discerning observers feel that of late the RSS has been conducting itself in a manner which will refurbish its image in a positive manner and enlarge the organization’s socio / political arena – with due regard for the minority’s sensitivities . 23rd Oct statement of the RSS Chief could be a reiteration of what he said in 2021. Speaking , then, in an event ‘Hindustani First ” organized by Muslim Rashtriya Manch in Gaziabad UP Mohan Bhagwat said that those who indulge in lynching are against Hindutva : that there may be differences in worship and lifestyle but Hindu and Muslims are one -not different and our belief should be to live together to strengthen the nation.
He added that we live in democracy which does not permit dominance of one religion over the other “dominance has to be of Indians.” It is good for the nation that RSS Chief has sought to down play the religious divide and foreground national identity together with rule of law. We have had enough of caste and creed fissures. It is time to reduce cost of social strife .
Some observers tend to read Bhagwat’s move in the context of electoral challenges the BJP is likely to encounter in 2024. Some analysts would like to put this statement in the contextual frame of evolving strategies. Because, for variety of reasons, many liberal Hindus and a significant section of middle class, who voted for PM Narendra Modi in the national elections, held so far, are shifting preferences. Besides, the RSS would not like Muslims to align en block with opposition parties in 2024 parliamentary elections and upset the BJP’s apple cart. Whatever be the reason, Mohan Bhagwat’s words and actions are welcome as they will help restore much needed sanity, tolerance and a sense of accommodation within the society.
The RSS Chief has, in many ways, stated the obvious that generally Indians respect religious diversity and see a virtue in it. According to the survey, conducted two years back, by Pew Research Centre (Religion in India: Tolerance and Segregation) most Indians respect religious diversity and see it as a benefit than a liability. They express commitment to the religious tolerance. Survey revealed the fact that 84% of the Indians believed that respecting all religions is very important to being truly Indian and 80% said respecting other religions is the notable part of their religious identity.
A caveat! It would lend sincerity to the words of RSS Chief if one could say that his earlier exhortations have had some effect on his followers. Alas it is not so! It would do good to his credibility ,on this score, if the RSS does have a social audit to ascertain how far its Chief’s advice has been acted upon and how many of his followers have, as he expected them last year, ” shunned the tendency to see a Shiv Ling underneath every Masjid .” Still, Mohan Bhagwat’s words deserve attention and respect. Muslim community -particularly its intelligentsia – must rise to the occasion and respond in equal measure. It is as important for them as it is for the majority community to shed prejudices and avoid polarizing rhetoric.
(The author is former Principal District & Sessions Judge)
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