India - a land of diverse culture. India is also called KARMABHOOMI. When someone wants to achieve something in life and make a mark in history, India is said to be the place for him. We do have diverse cultures, traditions and ways of life. True. However, is it true that we have "UNITY IN DIVERSITY"? Unfortunately, it is not. Infact, this diversity has today resulted in clashes and riots between communities.
Today, religion has become the main reason for instability in India.
It so happened that a few days earlier, my friends and I had a nice discussion regarding what RELIGION and DHARMA meant. How does it matter if my friend is a Jain and I am a Hindu? Though we belong to two diffeerent so-called "religions",we are the best of friends. Had we differentiated between ourselves on the basis of religion, could we have been friends. Actually, everything is alright in the initial stages of life - childhood, youth. All problems start when we enter our so called mature stages of life. In reality, the "mature" stages of our lives is when we act immature. We start dividing ourselves on the basis of caste and religion. I know of many people who discriminate against people belonging to a different sub-caste(if they can be called so), let alone caste. Why is it that we, in this 21st century, abide by ill, sick social customs? The simple arguement is that we follow what has been taught to us by our ancestors and that we do not know better than our ancestors.
True. We do not know better than our ancestors. But we do not know the whole thing? Or atleast, do we interpret what we know in the right way? Our ancestors did make certain social divisions or castes. True. The reason behind that division was to see to it the society ran smoothly without any conflicts and clashes. For example, the "BRAHMANAS" were expexted to help people with religious matters while the "VAISHYAS" were the business people. Today, we have misunderstood the whole concept and discriminate against the "DALITS", making them do menial jobs.
This discrimination of ours trigerred a change. In order to help bring the DALITS and other 'discriminated-against' closer to the society, our government made the policy of reservations. Today, meritorious candidates are sometimes not able to find a job or an admission into a college due to reservations. No one would have thought that social discrimination would have such major implications on the society.
That is not the end of it. We have communal riots and conflicts sucking the life out of people. Innocent people are losing their lives.
Gandhiji wanted a peaceful existance between the Hindus and Muslims. He dreamt of "RAAMA RAJYA"(that's the irony). And what do we see today? Demolition of the Babri Masjid by Hindus, retaliation by Muslims. We have religious organisations attacking churches. Yet, we Indians boast of having "UNITY IN DIVERSITY".
With regards to the recent Prevention of cow slaughter bill, chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said, “We have brought this bill to replace the 1964 Act and protect cattle. Similar bills are in operation in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir.”
Opposition party leader Siddaramaiah said, “The bill is against the secular character of the Constitution and it forces non-vegetarians to become vegetarians. It will impact cost of living and food problems will increase.”
Today religion has become a political weapon. That party that caters to the sentiments of the majority in that region wins. Is this the spirit of democracy our leaders visualised when they wrote the CONSTITUTION?One man's food may be another's poison. How can we force people to change their lifestyles? I strongly condemn the passing of the Prevention of cow slaughter bill.
What we need is one religion that can unite people over castes and religions. The development of a country lies in its unity. This is one sphere where, I feel, all governments have failed - Uniting people.
Just imagine - We all unite to create a new religion of humanity. A religion where Peace is the only principle, The Formless Supreme Force is the only God, there is no discrimination and there is a bond of brotherhood between people.
"Come back us Jesus come back and save the world..........
Come back us Rama, Forgive us for what we've done
Come back us Allah, Come back us everyone........." COLONIAL COUSINS
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