A Search in Secret India

Ever since the Mumbai attacks and ever since most of the finger pointing is happening in the North Western direction (read Pakistan), I have been deluged with a whole lot of crap of how stable our system is, compared to Pakistan and how we (read Indians) are the shining light in this darkness called South Asia.

Around 80 years ago, an English traveler called Dr Paul Brunton travelled the seven seas to visit India and he wrote a book called “A Search in Secret India” based on his travels. He was here in India to learn about eastern philosophy, Hindusim and about the obscure tribe of people called the Rishis and it is actually one of my favorite books though it is hard to get a copy of the book now.

Religion based conflict has been going on in India for a very long time but the main reason why I liked the book was because Dr. PB did ponder on the good aspects of Hinduism and his style was writing was lucid and interesting. I liked it even despite there were some bad references to Indians as a whole!

Hence I have decided to use the same title for this post as well because I believe that a search for secularism in this country is basically a search in “Secret India”.

Every single person has his own interpretation of secularism, likes and dislikes and ideology and I hate it when people talk about India being basically a Hindu country.

One of friends (Muslim) recently shocked me when he said that he believed that Gandhi was the reason behind the breakup of Hindustan into India and Pakistan and another friend of mine (Hindu) recently shocked me when he said that India should have been declared a Hindu country.

These are all strong words coming from people who are just like me and you and when I hear such things; I basically implode. If normal techies can talk like this, then I can only imagine what the Hardliners would be speaking off.

The situation is actually so deplorable!
It is all around us. Words like caste, religion, and minority get thrown around carelessly and I am so upset at the situation today.
I don’t think that I am wrong when I say that India does not let me forget my caste and religion!!!!!!!!

Another blogger recently said that he believes in a Secular India based on the ideals of Hinduism and cow slaughter should be banned in India.
I don’t think that there is any point in arguing with him except tell him that I am proud Hindu and a beef eater to boot (turned vegetarian recently for some time).

In India, most probably than not, we can get to know the religion and caste of an individual by just looking at his/her name and we often spew the same hatred towards one another whether it be politicians or mere individuals like you and me.

So what can I do personally when India (friends, family and government) does not let me forget my caste and religion?
1. Treat one and all as Indians.
2. I will never follow any meaningless tradition just coz my ancestors followed the same.
3. Try to preach moderation in Thoughts and Actions.
4. Define for myself what Secularism means…..

So here is my definition of a secular India. One which I hope we would achieve one day.
1. Common civil code.
2. Government forms not asking for caste.
3. No special preference given to any group.
4. Ban on all religious parties.
5. Ban on all hartals and bandhs.
6. Deal with rioters with the strictest force using every single non fatal weapon available to us like the stun guns, lathis, rubber bullets. Let the police force use even the pepper spray, I couldn’t care less!!
7. Live and let live.
8. Secular and peaceful India where everyone is proud to be an Indian.
9. Never use words like Vote bank etc
10. Peace with Pakistan as that is very important for a peaceful India.

This is topic about which I can write a lot and still not make a difference to anyone except myself.
So damn all hardliners,
Damn all propagators of Hindutva or Sharia!!! I hate you and so will all true Indians!!!!!!!!!!!
I know Muslims will never forget and forgive the Ayodhya incident and violence in Kashmir, Gujarat and Hindus will never forget the violence in Kashmir or even Somnath Temple (which happened hundreds of years back) and Christians will never forget Orissa incident and Sikhs will never forget the Sikh massacre, but can we all put that behind us and live for the future? I believe I can which means that others can as well……………………