Opinion

Minorities in India are not the real threat to Hinduism even if CM Yogi corners them with ‘abba jaan’ jibe

Minorities in India and Hinduism are not a threat to each other, but pseudo-Hindus are the biggest threat to Hinduism

To most of us (young Hindus residing in India), the abject questions of threat to their community persist prominently in recent times. But do these questions score a point when India pledges to be a secular nation? The answer is yes! Hinduism is under threat due to politicians and pseudo-Hindus.

The recent ‘abba jaan’ jibe by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh is more of BJP’s political desperation than their attempt to ring the communal bells in India. However, Yogi’s jibe is over-hyped as communal rhetoric due to the recent fate of events of minority lynching and mob attacks. This has caused a secret fear and threat among the minorities in India against Hinduism and its followers – Hindus. But minorities in India need not be afraid of Hinduism.

What is Hinduism? Is it threatening to minorities in India?

Hinduism is a unique religion and does not have any set teachings, scriptures, and founders. It is a philosophy of life, based on the ‘Truth prevails’ concept. Hinduism, as a philosophy embraces many traditions. According to various researchers, Indus valley civilizations had some traces of temple history. Therefore Indian politicians made them flag bearers of Hinduism. This has fueled their cries of India being a Hindu nation. But the debate between the researchers is still common about the initiations of Hinduism in the Indus Valley Civilization.

Most prominent Indian saints or stalwarts like Rabindranath Tagore, Rishi Aurobindo, Adi Shankaracharya, Narsi Mehta, Mirabai, and Mahatma Gandhi have one common trait – all of them are Hindus. But they have never professed hate toward the minorities. 

Both Gandhi and Tagore have spearheaded notable protests against the two-nation theory that forced Muslims to leave India. These leaders were called guiding fathers of Hinduism. 

Dr BR Ambedkar has institutionalized secularism as the prime character of India. He was a Hindu Dalit. Ambedkar might have guaranteed secularism due to caste-based divisions, but it integrates and protects all religious minorities in India.

The basic concept of Hinduism lies in embracing all cultures and traditions and co-existing peacefully. However, it also echoes the rights of self-defence and protection.

Self-defence as per Hinduism does not mean targeting religious minorities in India simply on the assumption of probable threats.  According to this writer, Hinduism is a scientific concept that majorly focuses on all kinds of spiritual enrichment.   

The real threat to Hinduism is pseudo-Hindus

Pseudo Hindus are the real threat to Hinduism, not mass conversions or other religious minorities in India. To most of us, pseudo-Hindu is synonymous with politicians seeking votes on Hinduism. But it is more than being just a synonym of politicians. The common man who forbade Tribals or Dalits from worshipping their village gods or deities is a real pseudo-Hindu. They are the biggest threats to the community. They are alienating a set of people from their right to practice religion.

These pseudos later blamed minority leaders for forceful mass conversion. They blew the trumpets so loud that it’s impossible to find the real cause of mass conversion. Every human being needs some spiritual guidance for existence. It is not wrong on their part to accept other communities if they are forced to stop worshipping their traditional deities.

Notably, later these so-called Hindus teach us that other communities are harmful to us and we should protect ourselves by attacking them. 

Hindutva is not Hinduism

Before everything, one should understand that Hinduism is not Hindutva. As per experts, Hindutva is a political carnation of Hindu ideology. A popular right-wing group in India is famously associated with the concept. The connection between Hindutva and Hinduism is analogous to the connection between Christianity and Christian Fundamentalism.

The current ruling party of India is inclined to the famous right-wing group who practice Hindutva. So, it is common to hear the cries of creating a Hindu nation and secluding religious minorities in India.

But Hindutva cannot stand strong like Islam or Christian Fundamentalism as it is derived from such a religion that has plural tradition. Hindutva was first coined in British ruled India to showcase Hinduism as a culture. It was done to avoid the then prevailing threat to the Indian religions – Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Hinduism. 

The ‘Abba Jaan’ jibe is Yogi’s political desperation

Yogi Adityanath’s ‘abba jaan’ address shows his current political plight that he tried to use as communal rhetoric. Eastern UP has seen far too many Covid deaths to believe in praises about his covid management. On the other hand, Western UP is gradually slipping away from his hand due to farmer protests.

Adding on to this is BJP’s recent decision to change the under-performing CM. The party might have spared him for now, but there is no assurance that he will not be changed (as per the layman’s understanding). All of these have created immense pressure on Yogi to win the election. And what is a better weapon to win polls than vote bank politics?

But before being frightened, people should keep in mind that UP politics is a religious concoction. No political parties will harm the balance before the election as Muslims votes are important this time if BJP has to defeat Samajwadi Party. BJP is also currently busy improving its image as an all-inclusive party focused on development for the 2024 General Election.

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Sayantika Bhowal

Sayantika Bhowal is a news connoisseur who is particularly interested in politics and human interest stories. She holds More »
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