Politic | In the Name of Hinduism, the Scamming of a Nation |
Listen to this article:
An illustrious member of the Hindutva ideological fraternity proudly declared after getting out of jail: “Dharm ka kaam jari rahega.” The gentleman from the Hindu Raksha Dal, facing several criminal charges, was arrested for distributing swords to Hindus in Ghaziabad for protection against the imaginary threat from Muslims. His reassuring words – that he will continue to fight for Hindu religion, must have comforted the Almighty. We have, after all, now got religious soldiers who can lynch poor Muslims in the name of Ram and cow protection. Like Islamic fundamentalists in Afghanistan or Iran, Hindu bigots are now earning global fame.
This happened at a time when citizens visiting the World Book Fair in Delhi saw hoardings splashed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inspiring messages on the importance of education. The message was clear: the nation will grow if citizens read. Modi didn’t say wayward youths, with filthy abuses on the tongue and swords in hand, are essential for the nation-building process. If Hindus indeed needed protection from Muslim marauders in today’s India, the Modi government would have banished book fairs and ordered stalls to sell swords, knives and trishuls to supplement the security establishment that is unable to protect Indian citizens. Does our prime minister feel that Hinduism is so fragile that it requires protection by abusive trolls and violent gangs?
Even elected representatives need not offer their free services to protect Hinduism. A video circulating on social media this week showed a BJP legislator spewing venom on Salman Khan, calling him a thief, a dacoit and a traitor because he loved only Muslims and Pakistan. The MLA, a self-styled protector of Hinduism, said the actor should be hanged to death. When people pointed out that Salman Khan was close to Modi, the MLA, who has been granted ministerial status by the Uttar Pradesh government, promptly changed the target, naming Shah Rukh Khan instead. These leaders must thank Muslims for giving enough stars for recklessly choosing the target. Shah Rukh, if not Salman. Mohd Siraj, if not Mohd Sami. These protectors of Hindu religion can freely distribute death sentences like chocolates as the custodians of law choose to look away.
The MLA in question, Raghuraj Singh, will obviously not get any punishment. But will Modi, who sent his pious messages for the Book........