The Perils of Blind Faith: A Reflection on India's Sociopolitical Landscape
The Perils of Blind Faith: A
Reflection on India's Sociopolitical Landscape
Are Superstitions and Blind Faith
Making Life for Indian Women a Living Hell?
In my recent blogs, I have delved
into the concept of blind faith, exploring how it permeates our society and how
individuals often fall prey to inherently contradictory beliefs. Blind faith,
by its nature, is an extension of faith—a concept we all are familiar with and
often accept without question. Our earliest lessons in faith are typically
learned from our mothers, who are our first teachers. It is natural for a child
to believe implicitly in what their mother tells them, as mothers are trusted
figures who would never intentionally lead their children astray. However, when
a mother herself has been raised on misinformation, passed down through
generations as truth, the child is at great risk of inheriting these misguided
beliefs.
Historically, in the absence of
scientific education, people were often conditioned to accept beliefs that,
while nonsensical from a scientific standpoint, became ingrained in society.
This phenomenon was particularly pervasive when women were systematically
denied education and restricted from engaging in the broader societal
discourse. The information they received was limited to what was imparted by
storytellers and the men in their lives. This dynamic allowed those in power to
maintain control over society, as children received a faith-based education
from their mothers, reinforced by the teachings in religious schools.
The early formation of society in
India, as depicted in the Rigveda, presented a more abstract concept of God,
one that was fluid and adaptable to the evolving perceptions of the people.
This openness gave rise to the idea of God in various forms, a concept that was
eventually commercialized, leading to the creation of numerous rituals.
Unfortunately, this commercialization also opened the door to societal
exploitation—a practice that continues to this day. The fact that Indian
society, over 4,000 years, has never experienced a significant civil uprising
against power, suggests a deep-seated belief that power in the hands of a few
is divinely ordained.
This mindset, deeply entrenched
in Indian society, was exploited by leaders like Modi and the BJP. Recognizing
that 70% of the population still subscribes to this belief system, Modi's
portrayal of himself as a reincarnation of God was a calculated move to garner
unquestioning support. With media backing, the repetition of this narrative was
intended to reinforce his image as a divine leader. However, the strategy has
not entirely succeeded, possibly because the media's portrayal of such claims
may have appeared too far-fetched, even to those accustomed to blind faith.
Modi's political strategy has
involved keeping the populace distracted by fueling internal conflicts,
particularly along religious lines. The Hindu-Muslim divide has been a tool for
Modi to exploit while simultaneously enabling the looting of the nation's
resources for the benefit of his allies. India's geographical blessings—its
natural beauty, fertile lands, and diverse ecosystems—have historically allowed
its people to lead relatively comfortable lives with minimal effort. However,
the persistent poverty that exists in India, though not unique to the country,
contributes to a sense of disempowerment among the common people. Many feel
that their voices do not matter and that their actions cannot bring about
meaningful change. Consequently, the responsibility for enacting major reforms
falls on those most directly affected by governmental decisions.
For meaningful change to occur in
India, there must be a concerted effort to educate people about their religious
affiliations and how these have been manipulated for exploitation. No political
party should be allowed to use religion as a tool for governance. Instead, laws
should be in place to protect citizens from such religious exploitation. Modi
is the first Prime Minister in India's history to have regressed the nation by
continuously pushing religion and religious differences as a central element of
his governance strategy. Alarmingly, other political parties have also begun to
integrate religion into their platforms, despite many of them understanding the
crucial distinction between governance and religion.
Indians, though often reluctant
to discuss religion in political contexts, cannot deny that religious
considerations heavily influence their decisions when choosing political
leaders. After the events of 9/11, Islam has faced significant vilification in the
minds of many Indians, although no Indian was involved in those attacks. Indian
Muslims, who share the same DNA as their non-Muslim counterparts, seek progress
through education just like any other Indian. Any involvement in extremist
activities is often driven by political funding rather than religious
conviction.
When leaders like Yogi Adityanath
discourage hospitals from administering blood from Muslim donors to Hindu
patients, they are sowing seeds of hatred under the guise of religion—a
practice that has never been a part of India's cultural DNA. The fact that such
statements go unchallenged by society and the judiciary is deeply troubling.
The courts should have immediately condemned such rhetoric and barred any
politician from making similar statements. Unfortunately, the judiciary in
India, often perceived as spineless, tends to bow to political pressure,
neglecting its duty to uphold justice. This reality is as tragic as it is true.
India stands at a crossroads. The
need for rational, inclusive, and progressive governance has never been more
urgent. To break free from the chains of blind faith and religious
exploitation, the nation must prioritize education, critical thinking, and the
separation of religion from the state. Only then can India truly progress and
fulfill its potential as a diverse, democratic, and forward-looking society.
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