Ram Puniyani
(Asian independent) Communal violence has been the bane of Indian society with increasing intensity. While in pre colonial era it was an occasional ethnic strife, from the period of British rule, it started to become a regularly occurring phenomenon. The communal historiography, looking at history through the prism of religion of the ruler, introduced by the British was the solid base of emergence of the narratives which formed the ground for emergence of the communal streams, Muslim and Hindu both. These streams devised their own mechanisms to create a ‘social common sense’ and mechanisms to instigate violence in the communities, based on religion. While this phenomenon has seen an exponential rise during the last three decades, scholars, journalists, activist- researchers have made serious efforts to understand the newer mechanism to communalize the majority community and also the newer ways of initiating the violence.
A dogged journalist, Kunal Purohit in his remarkable path breaking book, ‘H-Pop’ brings to our notice how popular culture is being shaped by pop songs which are spreading Hatred against the heroes of National movement like Gandhi, Nehru in particular, and against the Muslims. He warns us the Hindutva pop stars are adding intense hatred particularly in the North Indian scenario.
On the back of this book comes another important book, ‘Weaponization of Hindu Festivals’ by Irfan Engineer and Neha Dabhade (Pharos Media). Both these activists’- researchers are part of Center for Study of Society and Secularism, which was founded by legendary Asghar Ali Engineer. This center has constantly been monitoring and studying the nature and intensity of communal violence. In the wake of violence being orchestrated around Hindu festivals, particularly Ram Navami, the author duo has focused on the mechanism as to how festival celebrations have been made intimidatory and aggressive to the Muslim community, mostly leading to violence and polarization.
As far Hindu festivals and their celebrations are concerned, from centuries they have assumed a sort of culturally integrating factor. The major example of this is that most Hindu festivals were celebrated not only in Mughal Courts but also were jointly celebrated with Muslims. I do recall the Ram Navami procession in my childhood was such a time to be joyous and go round the city in a procession in festive mood.
This book is based on the in-depth inquiry into the violence instigated by the religious processions as a part of celebrations of festivals, Ram Navami in particular in years 2022-2023. It seriously analyses the incidents following the inquiry by the teams in which they participated. The violence covered in the book relates to Howrah and Hoogly (2023), Sambahji Nagar (2023),Vadodara (2023), Biharsharif and Sasaram 2023, Khargone (2022), Himmat Nagar and Khambat (2022) and Lohardagga (2022).
This book is relevant as its observations can be of great help in preventing the violence by ensuring that the pattern which is coming into being should be prevented for maintaining peace among communities. Irfan Engineer in the introduction points out, “Even a small Group of Hindu nationalists masquerading as ‘religious procession’ could insist on passing through minority inhabited area and provoke some youth using political and abusive slogans and playing violent songs and music, hoping that a reaction, a stone would be thrown at them. The state would do the rest by arresting a large number of members of a minority and demolishing their homes and properties within days without any judicial procedure.” (Page 24)
What needs to be understood for prevention is that most of the time these processions, which are well armed; deliberately decide to pass through Muslim majority areas, with loud music and provocative and abusive slogans. It has become a pattern that someone will climb over the mosque and replace the green flag with saffron flag and the crowds down below dance and give a big applause. Such a phenomenon has seen a boost particularly after the 2014 with the BJP government coming to power at center. The Khargone incident is very revealing in this regard. A minster of the MP Government said stones were thrown on the procession, which have come from Muslim Households, so these Households are to be turned into stones. Now these hooligans and organizers of such programs feel that ‘it is their government’ as the popular phrase says, “Sainya Bhaye Kotwal to dar Kahe ka” (If your husband is Chief police officer, why be afraid of anything).
In addition to Ram Navami other local religious Yatras (processions), Ganga Aarti, (Prayer for river Ganges),Satsangs (religious meeting) , and other religious programs are being started with similar goals. The example of Kanwad Yatras (holy pilgrimage to collect Ganges water and to be put on Lord Shiva) is another example where the participants become aggressive. To add salt to the injury UP and Uttarakhand Government issued the order that all stalls and eateries on the path of Yatra should write the name of owner on the boards so that the Kanwadiyas (the participants in the pilgrimage) can avoid those owned by Muslims. Fortunately the Supreme Court has put a stay on this order.
Such violence is intensifying the prevailing fears amongst Muslim community. It is deepening the polarization and is increasing the atmosphere of fear. The festivals, times to enjoy and celebrate, are being used to instill fear and violence. The book is very relevant as it calls upon the state to take measures by anticipating the moves of communal organizations planning such processions. Carrying arms and use of loud music with songs abusive to minority communities have to be stopped by administration. This is very much within the law, as we have laws to punish those spreading Hatred, the use of DJs can be prohibited. State has a crucial role to play in preventing this ghastly rise of denigrating religious festivals.
A proper inquiry and suitable punishment to culprits is a must in addition to compensating the victims. And finally we have to start community programs for unity and amity, through cultural programs and popularization of films and videos promoting harmony. In the foreword, Tushar Gandhi, the great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi emphasizes that we need to reach the messages of Mahatma Gandhi time and over again to bring sanity to our society. This is so pertinent and crucial in present times.
