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SECULARISM IN INDIA
Ominous signs aroundRashmi Oberoi We Indians are blessed with diversity. In the dissonance of the debate b e t w e e n communalism and secularism we have forgotten a crucial element that binds us all together- Our Diversity. India is one of the most diverse lands found anywhere else in the world. From language to dressing-style, the country has been hailed as one of the most complex amalgamation of various cultural identities.
Mohammad Akhlaq's relatives mourn his death
in the Bisara village of Uttar Pradesh
We have so many religions,
dialects, nationalities, cultures
and races offering varying
perspectives and viewpoints. This
makes it easier for people to feel
included. It's very easy for people
to overlook or neglect the needs
of others when they have no idea
what's important to them.This is
why diversity is important. Once
you understand people's needs
you can provide for them and
engage with them. India
historically touts itself as a
secular state, one where
all religions are
recognized and can
peacefully co-exist. Well,
at least in theory, it is.
Unfortunately, the reality
is very different today. Tensions between religious groups - especially Hindus and Muslims - have long divided India, but the rifts have intensified including multiple incidents of rioting and mob violence involving the two groups. Lynching of beef-eating Muslims has compromised India's status as a secular country. trying to disrupt the peace with their attempts at provoking religious communities. It's highly unlikely they'll succeed in the end. But incidents like these are concerning because they show how close-minded and intolerant people are in a nation that's fairly progressive and liberal. Social media has played a great
role in revealing people's
prejudices. Holidays are an
exceptionally vocal time for
racists on Facebook and Twitter
who cannot stand the sight of
others having a good life. Social mediaAs individuals and concerned
citizens we need to ensure that
suitable action is taken to stop
incidents of intolerance,
polarisation and the spreading of
communal hatred from taking our
country, which has a rich heritage
and cultural diversity, backwards.
The strictest action must be taken
against any such anti-human,
anti-civilizational acts and anyone
even suggesting such actions
must be severely dealt with
punishment beyond that reserved
for anti- national activity as this is
truly worse than that.
I guess what inspired me to
write this article is the hate and
venom I see spewing on social
media. I was blown away at how
nasty people were and it has just
got me really thinking about
'Hate'. There is so much negativity
on social media and people seem
to be absolutely mean spirited. I
just simplydon't understand and I
don't get it. Now with all that said,
I know that not everyone is mean,
nasty, and rude. I'm also not
saying that there will never be
bullies. There will always be
bullies. I know happy people, and uplifting people are out there.
There are lots of happy people in
the world and there is a lot of
good too, but we just don't hear
or see enough of it!!! The fact remains that if we continue to go down these same old roads then history will just keep repeating. We must teach our children to grow up accepting that people are different in many ways and that each person has a right to live on this planet no matter how different their views are and to keep communicating verbally and not only via text. simple. I see and read a lot of
things I may not like or agree
with, but I simply click away, click
out, and move on. I don't have to
take the time to comment like a
coward behind a screen or
monitor and say something that
in person I would never say to
someone's face. Biggest problemWhat is happening globally
today is a more condensed and
convoluted form of hatred and I
believe without a shadow of a
doubt that social media has a
massive impact on the global
population's behaviour. Sites or
services like Facebook and Twitter
in my honest opinion are really
internet forums on steroids and if
you have ever taken part on an
internet forum then you will
understand what I mean. |