Swamy and the Mahatma

Janta Party President Subramaniam Swamy has definitely made a case for a Hindu Rashtra that would have surpassed the dreams even of the most rabid Hindu fanatic. He of course argues vehemently in favour of removal of Article 370 and resettlement of retired army personnel in J&K. Perhaps what learned Dr Swamy seems to forget is that this was one of the planks in which the BJP rode to power at the height of it's Ram Mandir campaign in the nineties. All of us know what happened to the noisy pro Hindutva agenda during the NDA regime. None of these issues were taken up, instead hard core terrorists were released who are still killing innocents in India from across the border. Preponing general elections once again showed how the NDA failed to feel the pulse of the people and their India Shining Campaign was a reflection of why the UPA came to power in 2004.

Well this would make one wonder as to why am I equating the NDA's fortunes with Dr Swamy. The purpose is to just reiterate that the people of India have consistently rejected such ideas which are too extreme in nature. Mr Swamy is right when he says that despite 800 years of Mughal rule, India still remained 75% Hindu. That is because if the inherent nature of our country, we reject anything that is forced upon us. The NDA lasted for 6 years not because it pursued an aggressive pro Hindu agenda, but because Atal Bihari Vajpayee gave it a moderate and practical look to the Govt.

In the first Election manifesto (1977), the Janata Party, had declared: "The Janata Party is dedicated to the values and ideals of Gandhiji. It is dedicated to the task of building a democratic state in India, drawing inspiration from our rich heritage, and the noble traditions of our struggle for independence". In other words, the Janata Party's ideology is to foster democracy in all its dimensions, economic, political, social and cultural. This has to be done by learning from our ancient history and the Freedom struggle; within the Gandhian framework."

Now the President of the same Janta Party says Article 370 should be scrapped. And if that was not enough to wake up Gandhiji in his heavenly abode, Dr Swamy wants to remove the Masjid from Kashi and another 300 Masjids from India. It was the same Mahatma Gandhi who was against the creation of Pakistan and was even ridiculed for calling Pakistanis his brothers and sisters. His frustration was obvious in one of his last speeches. On the eve of his last fast on 12th January, 1948 Mahatma said " I yearn for heart friendship between the Hindus, the Sikhs and the Muslims. It subsisted between them the other day. Today it is non existent. It is a state no India patriot worthy of the name can contemplate with equanimity".

Janata Party also wants to create a society with a political government powerful in its legitimate domain and minimal elsewhere, a government that governs but does not dabble in business, arts, media, justice, religion and piety. Now how would one justify the ideals of a political party with the suggestions made by Dr Swamy. Is not removal of Masjids dabbling in religion, and creating a Hindu Rashtra against the very ideals his party is striving for. Let me quote the Mahatma again to drive home the point. He said "A votary of Ahimsa cannot subscribe to the utilitarian formula (of the greatest good of the greatest number). He will strive for the greatest good of all and die in the attempt to realise the ideal".

Of course illegal migrants from Bangladesh remains a sticky issue and both Govt's of India and Bangladesh are trying to sort the issue. But the whole talk of annexing parts of Bangladesh is a bit far fetched. Will we not have the same problems that the Bangladesh Govt is facing. Then who will provide security and funds to keep those lands under our control. Will that not give rise to more extremism and tension in the region. Is it really worth it ? Mahatma said "Hindus, if they want unity among different races, must have the courage to trust the minorities".

And one can't help but remember he famous quote "practice what you preach". If Dr Swamy couldn't help but bring home a "Muslim" son in law, then he sure has a long way to go to convince others. It is not aimed at bringing disrespect to anyone including Dr Swamy, but with his flights of fancy, he sure has forced some to think of Indians as Hindus and Muslims and of course Sikhs. I would like to end with another small line from Mahatma again. He said " I cannot picture to myself a time when all mankind will have one religion". Maybe Dr Swamy needs to give more attention to the Mahatma's teachings.