HARMONY AND UNITY AMID RISING RELIGIOUS TENSIONS

In an impassioned speech delivered recently in Pune, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat urged Indians to reject divisive rhetoric and embrace peaceful coexistence. Addressing controversies surrounding places of worship, such as the Shahi Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal and Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan, Bhagwat emphasized that stoking disputes over religious sites is detrimental to India’s unity. “India should set an example of how different faiths and ideologies can live together in harmony,” Bhagwat declared.

Speaking as part of the lecture series titled “Vishwaguru Bharat,” he called on citizens to learn from the country’s history and avoid repeating mistakes that have led to social discord. India stands a critical juncture of growth and world leadership, therefore a balance between its ambitions and domestic incongruences needs to be arrive at. The new disputes resembling the Ram temple controversy are being raised harming the interests of religious communities. It is equally concerning that these issues gain a quick international attention harming the image of India at the global stage. However the issues are distinct in their nature when it comes to a comparison between the Ram temple and other places- a long standing matter of faith for Hindus- and the current wave of allegations regarding other religious sites, driven mostly by hate and enmity, as mentioned by Bhagwat- “Raising issues about some new sites out of hate and enmity is unacceptable.

” Therefore, it must be stressed that the individuals and groups must desist from exploiting religious differences for personal or political gain, warning that such actions undermine the nation’s fabric. It is imperative to reemphasize India’s ancient culture and traditions, the inclusivity and respect for diverse beliefs, as a way to mitigate societal friction and divisions. The traditional past of India subjugated the expressions of extremism, aggression, majoritarianism, and abusive approach towards others. As the RSS chief emphasized that no one should claim superiority instead they should draw inferences from India’s tolerant past and act as a facilitator of principled space to other religions especially minorities. India’s strength lies in its ability to embrace pluralism, a trait that has allowed the country to flourish as a mosaic of cultures and faiths over centuries. India’s identity transcends the binary of majority and minority. Accordingly, when each realises the strength of India’s fused identity, the binary of the majority or minority will vanish and the whisper of all are one, will prevail. Additionally, every individual should have the freedom to practice their chosen faith without fear or prejudice.

Firdos Zakir Khanam, The writer iLLB (Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur)