Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'We should be genuinely secular' that was published in Newsband

We should be genuinely secular

The Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi made a comment that some of the Muzaffarnagar riot victims were being cultivated by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate. We cannot look at the utterance of Rahul Gandhi emotionally. More often than not, we have seen Indians seeking support of foreign countries in settling local scores, whether it is the simple expedient of petitioning a foreign government not to issue visas or a more serious issue of getting trained in subversion and terror and to cause mayhem in our country on perception of persecution. Whether it was the violence and terrorism in the Punjab in the 80s or insurgency and terrorism in J&K subsequently, we know the training given to Indians by the ISI who then sneaked back to wreak vengeance on issues on which they felt strongly. The Babri Mosque is supposed to have led to the formation of Indian Mujahideen. Similarly in the North East where China has provided succour to the terrorist outfits. There are undoubtedly inimical forces waiting to damage India.

We can defeat such negative forces only if every Indian opposes communalism and become genuinely secular. 

The phony secularism practiced in India is to "exploit religion for political ends" at every opportunity: to stoke fear and hatred between communities - to divide the nation - and then to boast that India has "unity in diversity"! This will change only when the communities, who are being exploited, refuse to be pawns in the hands of these despicable political parties (who have only got rich for themselves by making a fool of others).

It behoves of those who aspire to represent the nation in its highest representative political offices to desist from playing to the gallery using cheap language, avoidable personal remarks and divisive agenda - and start giving some dignity to the office they are aspiring for. That change will certainly bring them dignity and respect from the people.

When one looks upto a leader who aspires to elevate himself or herself to national and international repute and status, one would like to see speeches that make the nation proud - about real issues, vision and aspiration for the nation and its citizens - not name calling.

Serenity and composure at all times, objectivity and being impersonal in everything that is said and done despite all criticism - are qualities of a true leader - we lack, alas.

It is regrettable that all political parties have played vote bank politics for short term electoral gains. Some in the media have also joined these politicians in dividing the people on the basis of caste/religion. Replacing the current reservation system based on caste/religion with one based on economic criteria would ensure that those really in need are helped. Such a policy would help foster national integration and would benefit all communities.