Religion is a set of beliefs, feelings, dogmas and practices that define the relations between human being and divinity. A political leader’s desire to gather the support of his followers drives him to extremes of risk-taking, self-humiliation, and unprincipled conduct. Despite the right to freedom of religion in the Indian Constitution, an unnecessary debate on Rahul Gandhi’s faith continues in the political circle.
If he claims to be a Shiv-Bhakt, it is his personal choice. However, his Mansarovar Yatra, janeu wearing, and temple run still remain a topic of television discussion. Rahul Gandhi appeared to be a massive mudda (issue) for the ruling party. If his 125-year-old party has no political relevance, why does the saffron party’s politics revolve around him? How can he be a new Hindu if his ancestors have followed the ancient religion?
When the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat defined Hindutva in a broader perspective, the Panchayat diktat against the Muslims in a BJP-ruled state must be estimated as a direct reversal to what was stressed by him.
Why would they shun Islamic names for children, offer public prayers, and keep beards? How can sabka saath, sabka vikas (everyone’s participation, everyone’s development) be possible in such an unconstitutional decree? Obviously, there was no justification for it.
Despising others behind a religious disguise holds no value. What used to be the very essence of the religion appeared to be distancing us from society. How long will we tolerate and maintain this closed, contracted outlook? Are we not doing a disservice to the people if our atypical actions are in direct conflict with the accepted ‘righteous’ ways? It is hard to consider how most people plan their respective actions.
If their acts were merely cautiously-manicured versions of themselves, it was often done with careful precision. However, when it was not always so, it used to give helpful ground to perverted political goals.