The Hindu : Attack on human values

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 27, 2002

Opinion

Opinion - News Analysis

Attack on human values

By Habibullah Badsha

It is sad that a country, which has been known for its tolerance, love and pluralism, has become the battleground of communalism, violence and hatred. The attack on the devotees of the Swaminarayan Temple at Gandhinagar is an attack on human values and the social fabric of the country. It has to be condemned. Then what? We condemn, express sympathy, shed crocodile tears and thereafter the matter is thrown into the dustbin of oblivion. We are not concerned as long as our lives are not affected. We must not forget that we are all human beings and attacks in the name of religion, caste or any other reason are inhuman.

We have to rise as one man and strive to promote harmony, provide succour to the families of the victims and promote the message of peace and love. It is not a question of whose religion is superior, but a question of all religions joining hands. Politicians of every hue have failed us. Should we allow our lives to become pawns in the hands of fanatics who preach hatred?

We are proud of our achievements in the scientific and economic fields. We boast of our military capabilities. Does this make sense to the common man, who is deprived of basic amenities such as water, food and shelter? What is the use of religions if they cannot address themselves to the needs of the suffering masses, who are counted only when the elections are announced?

We, the citizens of this country, for whom the Constitution has been enacted, must make it work. We have to form an All India Committee consisting of retired judges, lawyers, doctors, scientists, academicians, teachers, trade union leaders, religious heads, social activists, students, etc. We can have branches of this organisation in every State and mohallah committees in every city, town and village. The Governments should support it and encourage the formation of such non-political and non-communal committees. They will work with organisations like the National Human Rights Commission, the Minority Commission and other organisations. Their aim will be to spread the message of communal harmony. They should be able to identify areas where problems are likely to arise and defuse them. They should coordinate with the police and Government to check the riots and make the Government act. They should be able to take up the causes of the victims and their families and project them before the NHRC and the courts.

How long are we going to be subject to fear? How long are we going to live in fragile glass houses without caring for what is happening around us? The time has come to stop speeches and concentrate on action. We, the people, are more powerful than our Ministers or bureaucrats. We have to make our presence felt. So let the people who have enjoyed high positions come forward and give the lead.

(The writer is a former Advocate General of Tamil Nadu)

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