India has been a center of knowledge and literature for centuries. While Europe considered bathing as sinful and humanity was generally degraded, India, under Muslim rule, was setting examples of culture and civilization for the entire world.
After the British rule, some intellectuals criticized the movement for the creation of a separate state for Muslims and Hindus in India. However, looking at the current state of India, endorsing the decision of the partition of India would be a gross exaggeration.
Apart from the Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, and other minority communities, even the lower-caste Hindus face discrimination in India. With a population of over a billion and forty crores, India claims to be the world’s largest secular state, but it is burdened with its own destruction, and the ongoing violence in Manipur since May has once again disgraced the nation in the eyes of the international community.
Despite claiming to be secular and enlightened, India still divides its society based on caste and religion. In ancient times, Hindu society was divided into four castes: Brahmins, who were the protectors of knowledge and religion; Kshatriyas, who were the protectors of worldly affairs; Vaishyas, who generated wealth through agriculture or commerce; and Shudras, who were dedicated to serving others. From these four, several sub-castes emerged.
As a result, many lower-caste Hindus and other communities faced bitter lives despite having education, and they are deprived of basic human rights. India’s social division based on caste and religion is unique to it and cannot be found in any other country or society. The elements of caste-based discrimination are evident in the turmoil and unrest in India.
The incidents in Manipur, where women were paraded naked during the communal violence, have once again exposed the dark side of India. The ongoing atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir, including forced conversions, oppression, and sexual violence against Muslim women, have been going on for years.
During the communal violence in Manipur, more than 150 innocent Christian victims of the Hindu extremists have lost their lives. The lower-caste Hindu brethren in Manipur have also made the lives of the untouchables from the Kuki tribes unbearable. Several churches and properties of Christians have been destroyed, and the shameful acts of the women’s humiliation have been reported.
There are various conventions, treaties, and declarations of the United Nations that address human rights violations, and the International Declaration of Human Rights upholds human dignity. However, the present Indian leadership, under the shadow of RSS and Hindu extremism, denies recognizing anyone as human except for a few specific Hindu classes.
While the Indian government’s cheerleaders celebrate RSS and Hindu nationalism, violence and repression against Muslims continue to increase in India. However, at this time, India’s future does not seem to be promising. The ongoing atrocities are not only against the oppressed Muslim community but also against powerful Sikhs, helpless Christians, and even lower-caste Hindus, who are actively engaged in the movement for India’s independence.
The concept of an “Undivided India” and the aspirations of Hindu fundamentalism have endangered India’s existence, and soon or later, India will find itself entangled in its own vile hatred. Not only Muslims but also Sikhs, Christians, and lower-caste Hindus will rise against the state, and the grand plan of an “Undivided India” will crumble.
At this time, it is essential that the United Nations, the European Union, and all countries take note of the ongoing atrocities in Manipur and play a role in curbing the rising hatred in India. Because if the international community fails to act against India’s growing intolerance, God forbid, it can lead to a humanitarian crisis that will challenge the entire world.
