By
Habibullah Badsha
It
is sad that a country, which has been known for its tolerance, love
and pluralism, has become the battleground of communalism, violence
and hatred.
The
attack on the devotees of the Swaminarayan Temple at Gandhinagar
is an attack on human values and the social fabric of the country.
It has to be condemned. Then what? We condemn, express sympathy,
shed crocodile tears and thereafter the matter is thrown into the
dustbin of oblivion. We are not concerned as long as our lives are
not affected. We must not forget that we are all human beings and
attacks in the name of religion, caste or any other reason are inhuman.
We have to rise as one man and strive to promote
harmony, provide succour to the families of the victims and promote
the message of peace and love. It is not a question of whose religion
is superior, but a question of all religions joining hands. Politicians
of every hue have failed us. Should we allow our lives to become
pawns in the hands of fanatics who preach hatred?
We
are proud of our achievements in the scientific and economic fields.
We boast of our military capabilities. Does this make sense to the
common man, who is deprived of basic amenities such as water, food
and shelter? What is the use of religions if they cannot address
themselves to the needs of the suffering masses, who are counted
only when the elections are announced?
We,
the citizens of this country, for whom the Constitution has been
enacted, must make it work. We have to form an All India Committee
consisting of retired judges, lawyers, doctors, scientists, academicians,
teachers, trade union leaders, religious heads, social activists,
students, etc.
We
can have branches of this organisation in every State and mohallah
committees in every city, town and village. The Governments should
support it and encourage the formation of such non-political and
non-communal committees. They will work with organisations like
the National Human Rights Commission, the Minority Commission and
other organisations.
Their
aim will be to spread the message of communal harmony. They should
be able to identify areas where problems are likely to arise and
defuse them. They should coordinate with the police and Government
to check the riots and make the Government act. They should be able
to take up the causes of the victims and their families and project
them before the NHRC and the courts.
How
long are we going to be subject to fear? How long are we going to
live in fragile glass houses without caring for what is happening
around us? The time has come to stop speeches and concentrate on
action.
We,
the people, are more powerful than our Ministers or bureaucrats.
We have to make our presence felt. So let the people who have enjoyed
high positions come forward and give the lead.
The
writer is a former Advocate General of Tamil Nadu. Courtesy: 'The
Hindu'
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