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| Babri Mosque |
White Hat- Facts and figures
BJP has a long history of inciting communal violence. Most prominent instances are 1992 Babri
Masjid Demolition and Gujarat anti-Muslims pogrom. The ‘secular’ forces are counterpoised
against the BJP, behind which stands the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). However the
standard bearer of Indian secularism, Indian National Congress party also has its own history of
stoking communalism against Sikhs in 1984. The same goes with Samajwadi Party, Siva Sena,
AIMIM etc. which only want to remain power with the help of divide and rule policy.
Some also accuse Congress’ minority appeasement policy as the reason of spoiling the secular
image and communal harmony of India, and that this helps RSS and BJP to start hatred
campaigns against minorities using ‘Hindutva’ agenda.
This federal-national problem has never faded away since Independence, but after 2014 it seems
to be rising at a great speed. Recently announced religious census data of India is also a part of
it. Government’s ability and will to tackle the increasing radicalization, extremism and
fundamentalism in society has become a burning question.
Yellow Hat- Optimism
If we specifically talk about BJP, they have committed some bitter mistakes in past and they also
tried to inculcate their „Hindutva‟ agenda in 2004 elections but failed. Despite holding all this, the
rudiments of BJP are not communal.
With BJP‟s extreme efforts to bring uniformity in India, their movement is wrongly taken as
„Hindutva‟ extremism. The movement was never started to suppress a particular community,
especially Muslims, but was definitely against the minority appeasement. With the passage of
time some extremists got associated with the party and Hindu nationalism became a dominant.
However, if we trace the history of BJP government, will find that all of their policies and reforms
communicate with the nation and not a particular community.
PM Modi once said, “If development happens, it will be a development for everyone. Why should
one focus on development of a specific religion or caste? Development is development, it is for
everyone” which defines their motto and intentions.
At present, Indians are educated enough to understand the difference between policy of national
interest and communal agenda. Hence, if someone tries to repress a specific community, voices
of retaliation are bound to be raised. So let‟s abandon these petty arguments relating to
communal politics and focus on major issues faced by millions like growth, economic, corruption
and social growth and security.
Black Hat- Criticism
If we look back, the major event which can be said to have played an important role in
catapulting the parties presence or base in the country is the 'Rath Yatra' of early 1990s for
building a Ram Temple at Ayodhya where the Babri Mosque stood.
The party is dependent on organisations like RSS and VHP for having a strong support base. It is
also known that RSS influences most of the political decisions of the party and the volunteers of
the organisation work extensively for the propagation of party ideals. Also, the current Prime
Minister has also served as a 'pracharak' in RSS before he joined active politics.
Even after all of this, there seems to be a lack of conviction and initiative when it comes to
winning the confidence of the minority communities. According to the data collected by Home
Ministry, there has been a 24% rise in the incidences of communal violence in the first five
months of 2015. Also, number of deaths due to these incidents has shot up by 65%.
Irrespective of all this, some of the ministers have made vitriolic statements which have only
sparked controversy. In addition, ban on sale and consumption of beef in a couple of BJP ruled
states is seen as a dubious step which is planned to target the minorities and also trying to
impress the majority community. Therefore, it would be a miscalculation to believe that the
country is not experiencing a surge in communal disharmony.
Green Hat- Creative Solutions
If we focus on the solutions, then the first which comes to mind is primarily related to politics. It is
an open secret that various political groups have used the policy of dividing the people based on
their religion, only to ensure a secure vote bank for themselves.
Therefore, India needs to get rid of such malicious campaign or propaganda which germinates the
seed of communal hatred inside the minds of an average citizen.
Also, it is an imperative that the
people start understanding the agenda of so called secular parties which have been creating a
climate of fear to fulfil their own interests.
The need is to reform Indian politics and replace the communal agenda with the idea of
development and growth. Apart from basic literacy which enables a person to read and write, the
importance of political literacy cannot be ignored.
In UK, school children are taken on tour to
various religious places. They spend few hours in religious places, tour the campus and watch
religious practices from a distance. After observing they get a chance to ask questions and clear
their misconceptions about religions. This firsthand experience will help long way in removing the
religious bias. At society level, Inter faith dialogues and meetings with a positive frame of mind
must be encouraged.
Even after all the efforts, there still remains a possibility of skirmishes or minor clashes among
different communities. Therefore, to handle such a situation, government should ensure that even
the local police is also equipped and trained to minimalise the damage caused and bringing back the
normalcy.
Blue Hat- Expert Interview
Nadeem Khan, 65, Special Officer, IIMC Amravati
Q) Do you think that communal tensions have worsened ever since BJP came into power? Is it
a truth or myth?
A) It's difficult to say whether communal tensions have worsened, but certainly they are very bad
today, perceptibly bad. Look at what has been happening in Bihar. An already sensitive state is
getting worse because of the forthcoming elections. My perception is that the BJP is causing
further polarization, so as to reap non-Muslim votes.
Q) Do you think BJP's affiliation with hardliner groups like RSS etc have led to communal
tension?
A) BJP is not affiliated to hardliner groups like the RSS. It is, by its own declaration, an arm of the
RSS. And yes, the other arms of the RSS like the Bajrang Dal and the Vishva Hindu Parishad
have become so much bolder since the arrival in power of their own sister party. The minorities
certainly feel cornered and threatened, and with good reason.
Q) Why is the party silent when it comes to the oppression of minority communities?
A) The BJP is not just silent, it is complicit in the oppression and marginalization of the minorities,
because that is their creed. The party has always looked at the Muslims as fifth-columnists. They
want to put it into its place and make it learn to live like second class citizens, surviving at the
mercy of the more advanced religion called Hinduism.
Red Hat- Public Opinion
Ankit Malik, 24, Audio Engineer, Musician, Kolkata
Q) Do you think increase in communal violence has something to do with BJP’s Hindutva agenda, Ghar Wapsi campaign, etc?
A) It is no secret that the BJP attracts a lot of its vote bank through communal agendas. Also, one can
definitely term the BJP as a Hindu nationalist party considering its Hindutva line of thought, as has been
seen with their attempt to redefine India, recasting the country as a Hindu one excluding other eligions.
Q) How do you see the beef ban and other such incidents?
A) Well, one can certainly question the bans imposed by the ruling party and the reason behind the bans.
The logic rather. And since the legislature is led by the leading party, BJP is definitely accountable for the
decisions. The bans which selectively affect one particular community will definitely worsen the relations of the
said community with the ruling party, and in turn result in situations of communal violence.
Q) Do you think there is a lack of awareness amongst the masses? How fair is it to just blame the
government?
A) Well, the masses elect their government, so definitely there is a certain lack of awareness amongst
them. One can say the government needs to play a more active role in increasing awareness the right way. But
then again, the government is made by the people. Politicians are people who rose from amongst us.
Thus, unless a grass root implementation of sense and sensibilities is actively practiced, this vicious cycle
will not end.
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Introduction
Namit Hans, Former Alumnus of IIMC, Sub editor at catchnews.com, @HansNamit
Ayaz Farooqui, Alumnus of IIMC, Works at ABP News (Editorial), @ayazfarooqui
Prateek Kumar, Alumnus of IIMC, Worked at Steria India ltd., Interned at Newsgram.com, Doordarshan, Freelance Writer, @kprateek35
Moumita Majumdar, Alumna of IIMC, Project Manager at Cenveo Publishers, @Moumitamajumda3
Sanjay Kumar Bissoyi, Alumnus of IIMC, Columnist at Uday India, Orissa Post, @skbissoyee
Erick Massey, Alumnus of IIMC, Interned at Delhi Press, Freelance Writer, @Masseyerick
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