GOD MEN AND COMMUNALISM

Some of them are in pure white robes (symbolic of purity of mind) with long beards and also with long hairs sometimes with dreadlocks, thilaks , sometimes vermillion, sometimes sandal paste on their foreheads, always keeping bewitching smiles as if they are possessing the panacea for all the maladies plaguing mankind. Others prefer saffron robes (symbolic of renunciation), majority belong to saffron group, the other things like thilaks, beards, hair and expressions same as those in white.

Them, being an “enlightened lot”, we the common people are easily attracted to them expecting some magical solutions to our problems with their blessings. In our daily life we are confronted with many a nagging problem ranging from financial, mental, physical and such matters demanding immediate attention.

Those who hog the limelight are numerous. Hence, the devotees also galore.

Though claiming to be a fast developing nation by our rulers, the exact opposite is true. Still there are poverty deaths, problems of malnutrition, unemployment, lack of habitat, increasing numbers of slum dwellers in urban areas, farmers’ suicides, poor agricultural growth, lack of adequate healthcare to poor people especially in rural areas, illiteracy, discrimination against women, all abound.

Still claiming to be a fast developing economy is, to say the least, laughable (Once I also nurtured such a mistaken notion).

As per the World Human Development Index, India occupies the 132 position.

Yes, for some, for a minority, India is a fast developing economy- they are the industrial and business barons. With the financial downturn affecting the World economy, even they find themselves in hot waters.

It is estimated that 78 percent of our population make both ends meet with below $2 per day.

No digression sir.
Our God men and for that matter God women having already attained “enlightenment” prefer to go abroad and set up ashrams there, providing solace to lakhs of devotees approaching them with folded palms (typical Indian way) seeking magical cures for all “maladies” affecting them. These ‘enlightened’ beings always are peripatetic and hence they set up ashrams at various places in various countries.

They are not after temporal affairs or worldly pleasures. Thus we are made to believe. That is inimical to them. At the same time they prefer to settle in countries where materialism grows at a fast pace where the lack of mental tranquility also grows apace. Seeking solace, inner calm, people rush to “God men” and “God women” and are entrapped and enraptured by ‘divine’ teachings.

Once in a while ‘divine beings’ find time to visit the home country, warm receptions always await them by the devotees in the home country, all feel blessed by their very looks. Wherever our ‘God men’ go, they are welcomed and adored. Devotees provide them with fruits and equally sweet milk and in turn get blessed. Salvation times for the devotees or a subliminal feeling.

Even when our ‘God men’ abound in our country renowned for the rich spiritual and cultural heritage why are we always embroiled in communalist clashes and violence? Why Kandhmahals, Mangalore pub attack, Gujarat pogrom, Nanded and Malegaon bomb blasts, such horrendous incidents continue to haunt us. This is election time. But Kandhmahal is not forgotten. Lakshmananda Saraswathi, the raped nuns and their trauma, demolished dwellings, the brutally assaulted priests, and the hapless dalits of Kandhmahal are not forgotten. The 2002 Gujarat pogrom is still in our nightmares. The Mangalore pub attack still brings painful memories.

Communalist clashes, whether it be the handiwork of Hindus, Christians, Muslims or anybody cannot be condoned. Should not be condoned.

It is quite alarming that our ‘God men’ seemed to have been indifferent to the communalist clashes occurred at Kandhmahal and elsewhere. Why did they keep silent? Why do they keep silent?

Lal Krishna Advani, BJP leader and NDA’s Prime Ministerial candidate was reported to have sent letters to one thousand ‘God men’ about his candidature seeking their divine blessings. One among them immediately reciprocated by expressing his pleasure for Advani’s gesture alongside innovative style of keeping in touch with the ‘God men’ of his ilk and wishing him victory at the hustings.

When the nation is caught in the grip of terrorism, corruption and communalism, if we are a bit curious to know as to what would they do to douse the flames of the communal flare-ups and to heal the wounds thereby rescuing us, would it be a matter of crossing the LakshmanaRekhas (barriers not to be crossed).

Even a common man is aware of the simple fact that every religion preaches love and harmony and it never exhorts its adherents to sow the seeds of hatred and violence. The ‘God men’ and the ‘God women’ of our nation, if not all, are fully aware of the sanctity of religion and its message they make fools of themselves by associating them with those who preach militant religious ideologies whether it be Hinduism, Christianity or Islamic. Exceptions ofcourse are there.

Hinduism is entirely different from hindutva ideology propagated by certain political parties or otherwise as Amartya Sen once wrote- “Hindutva is a drastically reduced version of Hinduism”.

Whether our ‘enlightened gurus’ (teachers) will distance themselves away from communalist ideologies is a divine question confronting all.