Religion in India is Divisive

Prafulla Kumar Mohanty

Religion is the opium for  the damned - said Bernard Shaw. But hardly anyone agreed. Centuries have gone by. Science and rational ideas have changed many a mindset. Despite Descartes and Secularism blind faith has swept the world. Superstitions and ritualistic practices have enslaved men and women of all faiths. Temples and Mosques are destroyed only to be built again. The aggressors and believers in different faith systems come to a clash for which any odd thing is provocation enough to fight, kill and burn the works of centuries. Countries where the population believes in one religious faith do not have any real conflict to worry about. Those are states with one God regimen. The others are theocratic states where minorities lose their identities in no time. The Muslims and Christians never see eye to eye on anything. The clash  of Civilizations is an unpalatable reality in the modern world.  The Islamic State , inspired by religious persuasion, has during the past thirty years, done more harm to civilization than wars. Hatemongers roam the world without fear. But India is in an undeclared crisis after the creation of the Islamic State of Pakistan - a state carved out of greater India in 1947 along religious lines. The British for their own amusing mischief supported the two nation theory and made partition of India a Trozan Horse of a parting gift. India a Hindu majority state has more than 16 percent of Muslims and the two communities are never at peace with each other. Religion instead of being a uniting factor has now become a dividing energy which is more carnal than spiritual. The world too is in a state  of unease only because of religion. Should we now not question the veracity of religion? Does man need religion today.

Religion is a system of moral practices inspired by human incomprehension of the  larger world of nature around. Since the human condition is so very painful religion promises to relieve that pain. The limitations of man, his weakness, fear  and uncertainties of the morrow have an assured counter in religion. A passive surrender to an Almighty gives some confidence to face the real challenges of life. But the Gurus or the interpreters of religion do some clever fearmongering only to collect a large number of supporters  and use them as a power group. This power starts with spirituality but practically it becomes a political power to consolidate empires. During the last two centuries science has given man more power to heal and kill.  These gifts of science too are now used by the religious 'dictators'. The state, even if it is democratic exploits the beliefs of the people by adaptation or promise of protection.

Therefore we see more temples and mosques, longer queues in temple, more faith business and more money for the states. All our places of religious worship are all veritable hotels. The temple cities are tourists hubs. And now modern night life is created in a big way  to attract more tourists. Is it ever possible to separate religion from our socio- political life? Could we isolate the Vatican, the Kaba, Jagannath temple, Ram Mandir from the state management ethics of present day politics? The answer is No. But what is the reality, especially in India?

India stands divided by votebank politics for the groups of different faiths fight for power-not spiritual but political . India being a democracy religious freedom is guaranteed by the constitution and that freedom is exploited by power groups. All parties agree that religion should not be mixed with politics. They swear by a secular Constitution and practice votebank politics. The majority in Indian population believes in the Constitution, freedom of choice and expression and free market economy. But the political minorities create all confusion. Religious identity of  the turban and topi has made the Indian society chaotic. All institutions, the police, bureaucracy , courts of law and other branches of civil administration, even the army is powered by religion. Politicians openly support religious groups and everything is questioned on religious lines. Is it now time to think of "banning" all religions to private spaces?

In the now world one small Island country, Iceland, has demonstrated to the world that  society, civilization and political administration can be  safely made vibrant without religion. One may worship whatever faith he/ she has but it shall not be recognised in the administrative process of civilizational management and progress. India badly needs a similar political attitude. Let people go to their temples, mosques or clubs but that should not invade public space. Can the Indian Parliament pass  such a law as Iceland did? I know it is easier said than done but it must be done to save the Indian society. Science should predominate education, all religious festivals and processions should be banned, there should be one uniform civil code and no citizen will mention religion in any kind of form. The identity of an Indian should be Male/ Female and nothing else. Does anyone have the gumption to enforce it in  India?