DIVIDING AN INDIVISIBLE
Religion is the realization of a ‘Divine Presence’ within oneself and implies a search for truthfulness that is universal across various faiths and beliefs. The universal truth and common teaching of each religion is to treat others as you would want to be treated yourself. True religion, thus, implies a search at an individual as well as societal level for this truth, finally, enabling the human beings to attain a greater state of mind and a far better condition, either within the world or beyond.
Religion, in the past, was not only portrayed as a matter of faith or a system of morals and ethics, but also as a means to understand the human sufferings, determine its cause, establish an approach to reverse such sufferings and provide whole humanity a great comfort and a greater destiny. Although different religions have different philosophic basis with altogether distinct pillars to uphold, yet the basic teaching to mankind remains the same. We have been an eye witness to this fact and people, irrespective of their religious alignments, used to visit temples, Gurudwaras, Dargah and Churches with same admiration and respect. However, as we evolved with time, the myths, rituals and non-rectifiable system fossilized the religion and destroyed the truth and vitality in it. The political interference, in addition, irrevocably overshadowed the basic teachings of each religion and defeated the very purpose of its realization. It is this interference that has devalued the essence of religion and has put all religions at logger heads with each other. The devotees and followers of one religion are kept busy by the propagandists to fight for their religion and prove their supremacy, one way or the other, over all other religions.
The idea of ‘My God is better than your God’ and the statement by religious and political leaders that ‘our religious teachings are better than your religious teachings’ are inculcating the seeds of communalism in young minds, dividing the society and ultimately inciting hatred against each other. The seeds of religious discrimination have been sown at the school and/or college level and the youngster’s, who contribute to the maximum workforce in India, are getting myopic in their vision. Rather than learning from an inherited and privileged diversity they are getting blindfolded, narrowing their vision and getting myopic with each coming day.
The diversity in nature has been hijacked by the crooked minds and fringe elements have, time and again, used religion as a tool for their personal gains. The religious discrimination has become a new norm with temples being demolished at one place and masjids bulldozed at other. Similarly, bullying the ones in minority on name of Lord has been setting trends all across the country and silence on the part of legislation as well as political leaders is taken as an affirmation and license of approval. Such kind of selective silence encourages the fringe elements, intensifies their movement and makes them stronger to pursue their propaganda of dividing society on the basis of caste, colour, creed and religion.
The minds have got so much polarised that not only God and humans but also the creations like animals, fruits, colours etc. have been divided on religious lines. Among animals, the cow has become Hindu and goat, the Muslim while among fruits coconut is identified with Hindu rituals and dates with the Muslim practice. The colour of green is considered synonymous with the Muslim faith and red, the signatory colour of Hindu. Even the flowers that spread fragrance, aromatise the air, detoxify the environment and purify off all the impurities around have been divided with marigold and lilly flowers being used non-interchangeably in temples and tombs respectively. The marigold flowers are used as an essence in temples while lilly flowers are considered soul in tombs.
If diversity, progress and truth are not realized in human existence then the very purpose of human life is defeated. The time has come to redefine the very purpose of religion so that the religion can have a new meaning, a new application in our life and we all, as an honest disciple of God, apply the teachings of each religion in day to day practice not only for our spiritual enlightenment but for the betterment of whole mankind as well. This is possible only when religion is not mixed with the politics
Dr. Pawan Suri
Director & Chief Cardiologist
email: psuricardio@gmail.com
Yes, religion and politics should not be mixed.
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