“Religion is never the problem,
Its the people who use it to gain power.”
-Julian Casablancas
“I forgot to bring my tiffin that day. It was a very hot afternoon in the month of June. My dad could have brought the tiffin but he was out of station due to his job. My mom was a little sick that day. I was sitting alone in the class during the lunch break. A boy came to me and offered his tiffin to me. The hot stuffed paranthas from his open tiffin were looking so delicious. I ate from his tiffin without any hesitation. He even offered to share his water with me”
Many years ago Hindu`s ruled this land, then came the Muslim invaders. After few years came the Firangis (East India Company). But our country always had the dispute that Muslim invaders destroyed Hindu heritage, and Hindu activists try to repay it by building back old temples and try to suppress Muslims. There is another group of people calling themselves Moderns, Liberals, Leftists, etc. Liberals believe in democracy and freedom in the country. They want the freedom of speech, freedom to criticize anyone as well as freedom either to pay respect to their nation or not. All these sects are headed by some preachers. For Hindus, he may be politician, Priest, and even some roadside scoundrel with an orange flag. For Muslims, there are politicians, ex-cons, or even actors. But the liberal sect is headed by some liberal-minded actress/actor, modern influencer, etc.
Hindus want to punish Muslims for killing and eating cows, but some major restaurant chains still sell pork which is prohibited in the Muslim religion. Indian movies and series always showed the Hindus as killers, suppressers while Muslims as either extreme religious or Terrorists. The preachers, politicians, and the big shot movies stars are selling this poison and we people are buying it. Based on religion, politicians from both sides are gaining vote banks. Preachers are gaining power and faith from people. Movie stars and directors are gaining TRP and Money. But where are the liberals? These people are against every major decision of the country, debating in major news channels. They are not in this feud and still gaining money and fame both.
So if all of these sects are wrong, who is correct? As I narrated an incident in the beginning. This incident happened to many of us when we were in schools or even in colleges. Childhood seems so easy. The names don`t bother us nor religion. Don`t ask me who was Hindu or Muslim in this story. These were just two Friends. But nowadays children step back a little when they meet someone from another religion. The problem is not in them, but in their parents who encourage this mindset. In Army and other Defence forces, soldiers greet each other by saying “Jai Hind”. They believe in one flag, one nation, one religion. The religion of humanity. A Muslim is guarding the border of Kashmir as well as a Hindu. If our protectors don`t fight against each other for religion, then why should we? Why can`t we greet each other by saying “Jai Hind” rather than Jai Shree Ram or Aslam Alaikum? It isn`t like Muslim invaders were only people who terrorized Hindu`s. Firangis also killed many freedom fighters from both religions. But we never disrespect a foreigner or Brit. So is it that our past grudges or the present manipulations dividing the country?
Politicians like Asaddudin Owaisi and Yogi Adityanath has made the occupation politician a cuss. The fight for power, the fight for religion is all just method to secure their vote banks. Why don`t we have young politicians and intellects? Parents are encouraging young generation kids to settle in other countries. So they could escape this religious war. Parents prefer NRI husband for their daughter. But if a guy abandoned his own mother nation, how can you be sure he won`t abandon your daughter?
Our country is India not some Middle East war zone. We are fighting here for holy animals and the population. Hindus believe the cow is holy. But the fish that many Hindus consuming is Holy too. Matsya, (Sanskrit: “Fish”) was one of the 10 avatars (incarnations) of the Hindu god Vishnu. In this appearance, Vishnu saved the world from a great flood. Muslims believe they are the minority while they are 14.2% of the whole population. There are 172 million people as adherents of Islam in this country. Many religious groups are even smaller in numbers.
India has been home to countless religions for 70 years. Let’s not destroy it by some Politicians or Preachers. Let’s expand the brotherhood of our Army Personnel throughout the nation. Let’s forget the past and be patriotic rather than being blind religious. Let’s not question any religion but should question our ideology and idols.
Maverick Wings 