Unity in diversity is the mantra most of us grew up with as Indians. We learned that all Indians are “my brothers and sisters” (“except one” some muttered under their breath) when we recited our Pledge at school. However we now live in very different times – social, religious and political divisions have widened and hardened. Social media has perhaps not helped. We live in terribly polarised times and tend to view with suspicion and hostility, anyone who looks, thinks, worships, dresses and eats differently than us. "Hate Will Never Succeed" was trending on Twitter – a refreshing and most welcome change from the virulent and hateful trolling that we typically see on the microblogging platform:
Today our society is so segregated that we rarely encounter people of other religions, castes and economic segments. This beautiful image of two happy cooperative kids is almost idealistic.
We have a rich history of Muslim artisans making Hindu idols and Hindus serving at Sufi shrines, and different communities celebrating festivals together. Traditions like these have always been a part of the harmonious Indian ethos which is now being threatened.
Muslims fast during the month of Ramzan – this is a story of Hindu prison inmates fasting alongside Muslim prisoners.
The British sowed the seeds of divide and rule, which politicians now exploit. So long as people can be made to feel threated by other communities they will vote along identity lines. This is always useful for vote bank politics.
Every religion is a path towards becoming a better human being. No religion teaches us to hate others. Every faith teaches us about being truthful, compassionate, and helpful to others less fortunate than us. So why the hate?
Hatred is learned behaviour. And it can be unlearned.
While we do hear about neighbour turning on neighbour during riots, stories such as these of courage and humanity also emerge to send out a strong message of communal harmony
As Tagore’s timeless poem reminds us –
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.
Hate will never succeed – this trend is everything that is good about our country. The tweeple shared many more such instances of communal harmony and mutual love and respect. These stories remind us that we can be more loving, more compassionate towards each other and create a healthier, happier society.
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