By Albert Thyrniang
The incident in Uttar Pradesh where two nuns and two trainees were forced off the train by the Bajrang Dal/AkhilBharatiyaVidyarthiPar
The March 19 happening on the Delhi-Rourkela (Odisha) bound Utkal Express proves Yogi Adityanath’s UP as a hotbed of religious intolerance and communalism. It affirms the hate that vigilante groups like ABVP, student wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) which is in turn BJP’s ideological patriarch, the Bajrang and others have for minorities. The ‘Hindu samaj’ workers’ shameful behaviour endorses the existence of goonda raj in the BJP’s ruled state where self-appointed outfits take the law into their own hands harassing, intimidating and heckling innocent citizens. The visuals that sent shock waves confirm that freedom of religion in the country is under siege.
One of the nuns being from Kerala, politicians in the poll bound state were quick to condemn the appalling episode. Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Union Home Minister, Amit Shah seeking strict action, the Congress informed Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and the and BJP led the UP CM know its disgust. Fearing electoral backlash in the ‘most secular state’ Amit Shah promised justice for the nuns and the young ladies. But whether he means what he says is still to be seen. Is the assurance for prompt action related to election in the state? As for the Prime Minister he may not see the attack abysmal. The outrageous incident may not feature in his weekly Mann Ki Baat.
The call for action from the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC), the All India Catholic Union (AICU), the outrage in the media and others may not be sufficient to bring the “Jai Shriram” and “Jai Hanuman” shouting zealots to book.
Cow and anti-conversion vigilantism which has been on the rise ever since the BJP came to power in 2014 is a bane for India. Horrific lynching of victims over cattle transportation and beef consumption, the thrashing of pastors, the vandalism of churches, harassment of couples over ‘love jihad’ is a result of this unauthorised vigilantism. It is because of these “campaigns of harassment”, the 2020 Delhi riots, the provocative and communal speeches of politicians, the ever increasing cases of communal violence in UP and elsewhere that we have the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom(USCIRF) 2020 report indicating strongly that religious freedom in India deteriorated sharply last year, the sixth year of the NDA government. We may term the scathing watchdog’s annual assessment “biased and tendentious” but it is incidents like the one in Jhansi that tarnish the nation and is responsible for the downgraded rating of religious freedom in the eyes of the world.
The central government instead of stemming out intolerance chose to heighten anti-minority sentiments by passing the contentious CAA and assuring execution of NRC throughout the country. State governments too vitiate communal harmony by enacting anti-conversion laws targeting Muslims and Christians in particular.
Hindutva vigilante groups enjoy political and administrative patronage. Who gives these groups the right to question citizens on any suspicion? Can it be acceptable that the Bajrang Dal and ABVP activists check the identity of individuals? Do they have the delegated authority to implement anti-conversion laws? Are they not acting extra constitutionally? Who grants them the right to humiliate and traumatise fellow humans?
We have been taught that Hinduism is the most tolerant religion. We are made to believe that the ‘timeless’ religion’s trademark is ‘tolerance in abundance’, that the world’s oldest Way of Life preaches ‘acceptance of all faiths’ even in ‘conflicts of views’. We have been raised to believe that Hinduism is not averse to anyone worshiping Allah or Jesus or any other deity. In fact we have been intellectually formed that Hinduism accepts even atheists.
The admiration for henotheistic culture (worship a single deity, known as “Brahman,” but recognize other gods and goddesses) has not ceased but it makes one question the growing fanatics who claim to represent Hinduism. The ‘Jai Shri Ram’ chanters have been brought up under which tradition? Which philosophy has influenced the evident fundamentalist elements in the RSS, the Bajrang Dal, the AVBP and a host of other radicals? Do they believe in the oneness and inclusiveness of all beings? Do they hold that the whole universe is ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (one big family)? Do they represent Hinduism? Then why so much intolerance? Why the hatred? Why the violence in the name of Ram or Hanuman? Why the criminal acts in the name of religion? Why the phobia though Hinduism is nearly 80%, Islam only 15% and Christianity a mere 2.3 % of the population? Religious vigilantes are damaging the image of Hinduism. It is surprising followers of the real Hinduism have not denounced loud enough and often enough against the fundamentalist groups.
The offenders show scant respect to the fact that the victims were all women. Allegedly the police too had no women personnel in the train when the heckling and the forceful deboarding was happening in full public view. As demanded one hopes the National Commission for Women and Human Rights Commission and Minority Commission intervene in the matter to ensure justice for the sufferers.
Following the Jhansi outrage Markandey Katju writing for ‘The Week’ lauds nuns saying they are role models for all Indians. Unequivocally condemning the incident and designating it a disgrace to the country the outspoken retired Supreme Court judge notes the yeoman contributions nuns make to the society in education and healthcare while also vouching that allegations of forcible conversion are palpably false. Obviously the Bajrang Dal/AVBP don’t share Katju’s sentiments but a respect for every faith adherent is expected from them.
Religious attire has been always revered in India. Sadhus and Sanyasis, god men and women, Buddhist monks and nuns, Sikh gurus, Muslim mullahs (and ordinary people too) and Christian priests and nuns are venerated for donning religious dresses. Wearing one is even a considered safety measure. Should the Bajrang Dal and AVBP activists alter this long existing attitude? Why should individuals with religious clothing feel unsafe? Today Christian nuns are victimised. Tomorrow it could be Muslim mullahs and ordinary citizens with hijab, burka, skull caps or other with religious symbols. If Yogi Adityanath can wear his religious attire and move freely anywhere so too others!
In Meghalaya fascist groups which are part of the ideology to turn India into a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ with a homogeneous religion and culture’ is taking root. Strategically they may be in the shadow at the moment but being aware of their divisive agenda is wise.
In our state vigilantism is of a different kind. In the last few weeks the association that nomenclatures itself as Rot Association of Meghalaya (RAM) has been aggrieved by gallery playing politicians, moral policing NGOs and unforgiving social media users. Self-appointed law enforcement groups intermittently check trading silence in shops, expel non-tribal labour from construction sites, inspect trucks in highways and lock down shops on their own. Attempts to set up ‘ILP checking points’ have been made.We the 85.9 % Scheduled Tribe population play victim of an unreasonable fear of the minority ‘outsiders.’
Even as we are recovering from the Umoid shock and the unfortunate Golf Link incident is under investigation, a surprising confession by Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong has got the attention of the media. In a video Tynsong is clearly heard that he too used to beat up ‘Dkhars’ in 1979. Should not an FIR be filed against the second in command in the government based on his own revelation? What if others too start bragging of their role in the 1979/1987 violence? What if others are ‘inspired’by him? Cheers were heard from the function attendees. Those who watch the clip on the internet too cheered for him. The intended message from his experience is lost in the ‘sensational’ admission. A very regrettable disclosure!
This writer could consider himself a ‘vigilante’. My recent unexpected home visit forced me to unavoidably take a night ride on the cruel Nongstoin-Mawkyrwat road again. ‘Fortunately’ the headlights did not yield my videos and shots worthy of sharing. The Nongstoin-Wahkaji road has appeared on this page a number of times. Recently tenders were floated for construction of an intermediate lane but there is no sign of its commencement. Of late the Deputy CM has not missed the opportunity to reiterate that the MDA government’s plan was/is to initiate development from rural areas. Really! He has repeatedly mentioned a ‘huge’ figure spent for roads in villages. I have seen no improvement in my area in the last three years. The Deputy CM, also in charge of PWD (Roads),is requested to take a ride from Nongstoin to Mawkyrwat to Wahkaji and back to Shillong via Mawsaw, Jashiar, Jakrem etc. to see and feel the ‘developed’ roads by himself.
My self-indulgence is only a diversion. We are in a free country. We are in a country governed by law. No one is to be hounded by vigilante groups of any kind.