The Day Secularism died

Today is the 6th of December, and on this day 14 years ago, India changed. The very social fabric of the nation underwent change. The Demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on that day created deep divisions in society. Communities who were living in Harmony now look at each other with suspicion. The aftermath of the demolition was riots everywhere, declaration of a nationwide bandh, and the aftermath leading to the deadly Mumbai Blasts of March 1993. Even today, the events of December 1992 have a bearing on the psyche of the Indian Public. There are frequent reminders of this incident, the only thing being it takes various forms. The Godhra carnage of February 2002 was an indication of the fanaticism that people can plunge into.

Even today, the issue is contentious and filled with uncertainties. Doubts linger wether there was a temple beneath the Babri Masjid. The ASI so far has not found any clues by which the remains of a temple can be substantiated. The communal disharmony that this issue has created is bound to put the country in tremendous peril. The factor of tolerance is now missing among the general public, and everytime a Bomb explodes or riots occur, a certain community is put under suspicion and scrutiny.

The Godhra Carnage of 2002 symbolized the Fascism that a particular Government can advocate. Because of this incident, the Muslim community in Gujarat has been Ghettociased, and this process of isolation seems to be continuing. The ghettociasing of Muslim community follows the precedent in the aftermath of the Mumbai serial blasts in 1993. Sections of the population in the city were displaced, and it has remained like that ever since. Now, the Division between the Hindu-Muslim community on this issue has become deeper, and it doesnt look as if any party is ready for reconcilliation.

The Babri Masjid demolition and its subsequent aftermath has degenerated the Indian Psyche, much the same as Vietnam did to the Americans in he middle part of the 70's. The factors of Tolerance and Secularism have been thrown out of the window. Anybody who does not follow a policy of 'Us and Them' is labelled Unpatriotic. The situation prevails in most parts of the country. The scars may never heal, and perhaps one incident like 7/11 blasts in Mumbai, but of a greater magnitude, could perhaps burn this country all over again.

The events of the Babri Masjid show us the dangers of Organized Religion. It has shown us that a state where Societ is oriented along religious lines is bound to fail. Politics based on Communalism will break this country into a milion pieces. Organized religion can bring about misplaced passions and a sense of false reassertment, thus marginalizing people and doubting their love for the nation. If this country has to progress furthur and into the 21st century, then any form and symbols of Organized Religion must be purged, so that no Babri Masjid and Godhra incidents scar this nation. Let us all unite and not purge populations, but rather symbols of Organized Religion. Let us rekindle Secularism and a sense of reconcilliation, for that is the only method of moving forward of the times.