The continuum of saffron secularism

Abstract

The Sikh Riots in 1984, the Mumbai Riots in 1993, the Godhra Riots in 2002... all these events mark important milestones in the history of India. The memory of these days fills the common and the 'uncommon' man's heart with memories so dark that they are better not prodded. And the question is, what is the common factor that can be taken as the cause of the pogroms and their aggravating factors? Partisan Political Leaders, Spineless Bureaucracy, Aficionado Police and a Helpless Judiciary? The limbs of the largest democracy in the world have displayed nothing more than mere tokenism in either combating causes of communal tension or in helping people overcome the aftermath of the tension, let alone taking efforts to remove the causes. People of various communities live in India. Now in the religious spheres the environment is charged with religious fanaticism and religious conflicts. Gradually this religious fanaticism has manifested itself in a dreadful way, disturbing the peace and tranquillity of the social order. The assigned task of the various state players is not to get swayed by their communal passions and derive as much benefit as possible from this disease but to put a stop to the endless requiems that still remain to be sung at the loss of the many more lives if the communal ardour is not dampened. However, as far as communal passions are concerned, one has nothing to offer as a solution...