The overwhelming majority of Indians never had a problem with fellow Indians; it is the political supremacists among us who have taken up to violence as a defense mechanism. The basis for such an attitude is the ‘perceived’ fear of losing their way of life.
Hinduism is not going anywhere, in fact, it is known as Sanatana Dharma, the eternal righteous way of living. Neither Islam, Christianity, and other faiths are going anywhere. We are all here to stay and figure out how-to live-in harmony.
One must trust the stable, consistent heritage of over 5000 years of the Sanatana Dharma, it is not in danger; it never was, and it never will be.
At this time in India, the Hindutvadis, the Hindus, Dalits, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Adivasis, Lingayats, Jews, Buddhists, and others are living in apprehensions, do we need to live like that?
Let’s ask the Government to take a corrective stand, but before that, let us ask what we can do as Indians to restore peace, security, and harmony among Indians.
Every mother (and father) feels good and happy when all her children get along and act as one. We owe it to our Motherland to restore harmony among all her children. After all, our heritage rests on the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbukum. So is the concept in Christian, Muslim, and other faiths, that we all originated from the first single couple (Adam & Eve) at the beginning. We are indeed one family.
Our religions teach us to respect the dignity of every human. To wish for others what we would wish for ourselves. We need to listen to our sages and not the men who pit one against the other for their personal gain – power, or money.
I am inviting my fellow Indian-Americans to join together to make an effort to restore harmony in India. We all had our share of hatred, ill-will, and distrust, and we cannot continue with that. At this time, adharma has reached extremity and it is time to restore dharma, as Lord Krishna had promised.
If we all subscribe to our constitution and abide by it wholeheartedly, none of us need to worry about the future. Each one of us is guaranteed our way of life, we have the freedom to eat, drink, wear, and believe whatever we want. It will take the tensions out and let’s live a fuller life. We have proved to the world that we are a stable democracy. At this time, we are lost, and we don’t trust each other, and it cannot go on forever.
Let’s appeal to the Prime Minister to make a statement.
“I am your Prime Minister, and my responsibility is to ensure the safety of every Indian, yes, every Indian. This nation of ours was built by Hindus, Dalits, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, Lingayats, Adivasis, Parsees (Zoroastrians), Jews, Atheists, and others. From this day forward, we will vigorously pursue and severely punish anyone who lynches, harasses, or burns the places of worship.
From this day forward, if any member of my political party denigrates his or her fellow Indians, I will not tolerate it.
If someone from my party or its affiliates says that Muslims and Christians will have three choices, to become Hindus, live as 2nd class citizens or disappear from India will face grave punishment, including banning from our parties. I will make sure that person is punished, no one is going scot-free.
People of all faiths built our nation, and everyone’s sacrifice will be honored and posted on a monument at the entrance of the parliament house. Let’s put the past behind and advance a new India that respects all her citizens, where no one is more privileged than others. After all, none of us will live forever, why live with hatred and tensions? “
If you are inclined to restore dharma in our Motherland, let’s come together to discuss how to rebuild trust. The Prime Minister has the right words, “Sab Ka saath, sab Ka Visas and Sab ka Vishwas.” Let’s give life to these hollow words.
Let us live without tensions, and together we have to find solutions. Please feel free to send an email to MikeGhouseforIndia@gmail.com
Thank you.
Mike Ghouse is the founder and president of the Center for Pluralism. He is a speaker, thinker, author, consultant, pluralist, activist, news maker, and an interfaith wedding officiant. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions to the media and the policymakers. www.TheGhousediary.com