In an ideal world, religion and politics would operate as
separate spheres, each contributing to the public good in their own way.
However, the conflation of the two realms has been alarmingly visible, and
nowhere is this more evident than in recent events in Indian politics. This
toxic blend not only undermines democratic values but also has a severe impact
on humanity.
The Manipur Crisis: A dangerous mixture of Ethnic
Rivalry, Religion, and Politics
The recent crisis in Manipur, a state in northeastern India,
brings to light the devastating impact of mixing religion and politics, which
is compounded by complex ethnic rivalries dating back to pre-independence
times. The roots of the conflict go deeper than what meets the eye, revealing a
disturbing entanglement of social, religious, and political issues that
threatens the very ethos of democracy and humanity.
It all began with a court ruling in March that conferred the
majority Meitei community “scheduled tribal status,” putting them on the same
plane as the minority Kuki tribe. This entitled the Meiteis to various economic
benefits and quotas, but it also permitted them to buy land in Kuki-dominated
areas. This ruling, however, lit a fuse, heightening already simmering tensions
and fuelling fears among the Kukis that their livelihoods and ancestral lands
were at risk.
In the immediate aftermath of the ruling, violence broke
out, taking a heavy toll on both communities but disproportionately affecting
the Kukis. Villages were burnt, and reports suggest that over 250 churches in
the Kuki community were destroyed. A disturbing trend of targeted violence
against Kuki women emerged, spurred by fake news and misinformation. Over 140
lives have been lost, and approximately 60,000 people have been displaced.
The state and central governments, both led by the Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP), have been heavily criticised for their lacklustre response
to the crisis. Accusations that the Meitei-dominated state government has been
complicit in the violence against the Kuki minority have further muddied the
waters.
In a damning episode, a viral video depicting the sexual
assault of two Kuki women finally pushed the crisis into the national
consciousness. The authorities acted only then, arresting four Meitei men more
than 70 days after the incident occurred. Even the Supreme Court weighed in,
chiding the government for its inability to control the situation.
The Religion Factor: The whole world alleges that the Hindu
nationalist government’s reluctance to step in stems from religious biases, as
the Kukis are predominantly Christian while the Meiteis are Hindu. This blend
of ethnic rivalry, politics, and religion has escalated the situation to
near-civil-war levels.
The Manipur crisis serves as a dark illustration of what
happens when religion gets entangled with politics against the backdrop of
ethnic complexities. The impact is not just limited to undermining democracy,
but it also has devastating human costs. As Manipur teeters on the brink of
civil war, the dire need to separate religion from statecraft becomes
increasingly apparent, not just in India but globally. If the government
doesn’t step up its efforts to resolve this crisis, it risks becoming a cautionary
tale for democracies everywhere.
The Ongoing Crisis in Kashmir
The ongoing crisis in Kashmir serves as another compelling
example of how the intersection of religion and politics can have destabilising
effects. Kashmir has been a contested region since the Partition of India and
Pakistan in 1947, with both countries laying claim to the territory. The
situation is complicated by the diverse religious demographics, as the region
is predominantly Muslim but governed by Hindu-majority India.
In August 2019, the central government of India, led by the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), revoked Article 370 of the Indian Constitution,
which granted special autonomous status to the region of Jammu and Kashmir. The
government's decision led to widespread protests, not only within Kashmir but
also internationally. Alongside the revocation, the government deployed tens of
thousands of additional troops to the region, imposed curfews, and shut down
the internet, affecting communication and the day-to-day lives of ordinary
people. According to Human Rights Watch, hundreds were detained without charges
by the end of 2019.
Many critics argue that the BJP government's actions were
motivated by its Hindu nationalist ideology, as revoking the special status was
a long-standing goal for the party. The move has increased tensions between
India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed nations, and further alienated the
Muslim population in Kashmir.
According to the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil
Society, a local human rights organisation, at least 229 killings were reported
in various incidents of violence in the region in the first half of 2020 alone.
The Reporters Without Borders' 2021 World Press Freedom Index has also cited
the situation in Kashmir as a significant concern, with journalists facing
harassment and intimidation.
This volatile mix of religious identity and political
manoeuvring has led to an escalation in hostilities, putting lives at risk and
undermining democratic principles. Like Manipur, the Kashmir situation reflects
the dire consequences of blending religious considerations into the political
arena, contributing to instability and conflict while eroding the values of
democracy.
The Citizenship Amendment Act
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) passed by the Indian
government in December 2019, represents another flashpoint where the
intertwining of religion and politics has triggered social unrest and
questioned the democratic values of the nation. The Act aims to fast-track
citizenship for Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian immigrants
from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who entered India before December
31, 2014. However, it conspicuously leaves out Muslims, raising concerns about
religious discrimination.
The immediate aftermath of the Act's passage saw protests
erupt in various parts of India, including major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and
Bangalore. Amnesty International reported that at least 25 people died during
protests against the CAA by the end of December 2019, largely due to excessive
police force. Universities became hotspots for demonstrations, with students
leading the charge against what they perceived to be a discriminatory law.
The international community also weighed in, with the Office
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) calling the
Act "fundamentally discriminatory in nature." Furthermore, the U.S.
Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed concerns and
contemplated sanctions against key Indian officials involved in the enactment
of the CAA. Human Rights Watch, in their 2020 report, cited the CAA as a prime
example where religion has been used to establish exclusionary policies. They
state that the Act violates India's international obligations to prevent
deprivation of citizenship based on racial or ethnic grounds.
In terms of economic impact, the widespread protests
disrupted businesses and led to an estimated loss of $1.3 billion in December
2019 alone, as reported by Bloomberg Economics.
The passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act not only raised
questions about India's commitment to secularism but also triggered social and
economic disruptions. The facts and figures indicate a widespread sentiment
against mixing religious criteria with citizenship laws, echoing concerns about
the erosion of democratic principles.
Freedom of Speech in India
The ramifications of mixing religion with politics in India
have resulted in alarming statistics that question the nation's democratic
health. According to the Freedom House report from 2022, India's status was
downgraded from 'Free' to 'Partly Free,' signaling a concerning decline in
political liberties and civil rights. This downgrade is attributed, in part, to
increasing religious nationalism which has influenced state policies and led to
sectarian tensions.
The report specifically highlights instances of harassment
and violence against minorities, limitations on free speech, and a crackdown on
political dissent. For example, the number of hate crimes against minorities,
especially Muslims and lower-caste Hindus, has seen a significant uptick, as
reported by the international non-profit Human Rights Watch. According to data
by the Quint, in 2021 alone, there were over 200 instances of hate crimes in
India, a sharp increase from previous years.
In terms of free speech, Reporters Without Borders has also
noted a decline in press freedom in India. Their 2021 World Press Freedom Index
placed India at 142 out of 180 countries, citing increasing pressure on
journalists to toe the Hindu nationalist government's line as one of the
reasons for the decline.
The data only adds weight to the concern that the melding of
religion and politics is eroding India’s democratic principles. By
international metrics, it's clear that the country is experiencing a regression
in the areas of civil liberties, political freedoms, and the rights of
minorities, all red flags that underline the risks of blending religious
doctrine with political governance.
The Toll on Humanity
The human toll exacted by the intersection of religion and
politics in India is deeply unsettling and stretches across various regions and
communities. In the troubled state of Kashmir, for instance, the fusion of
religious nationalism and political decisions has had devastating effects. The
situation in Kashmir has been particularly tense since August 5, 2019, when the
Indian government revoked Article 370 of the Constitution, stripping the region
of its special autonomous status. This move has been seen as a reflection of
the current central government's Hindu nationalist ideology, as it essentially
integrates a predominantly Muslim region more closely into India. Protests
erupted, and the region was put under a communication blackout with thousands
of additional troops deployed.
According to a report by the Forum for Human Rights in Jammu
and Kashmir, the year following the revocation saw an increase in human rights
abuses, including detention of local politicians, restrictions on movement, and
curtailed access to healthcare and education. From August 2019 to July 2020, 32
civilians were reportedly killed and over 300 buildings destroyed in
counter-insurgency operations, per the same report. The most recent information
from human rights organisations as of 2023 provides an alarming update on the
situation. According to their report, three years after the revocation of Jammu
and Kashmir's constitutional autonomy, the violence has not abated. As of
October, there have been 229 reported deaths in the region. This includes 28
civilians, 29 security force personnel, and 172 suspected militants. Moreover,
local Kashmiris have raised concerns that some individuals classified as
'militants' killed in conflicts may, in fact, be civilians. Despite these
serious allegations, no independent investigation has been made public. This
data amplifies the urgency of the situation and highlights the long-term
implications of integrating religious ideology into politics. The escalating
violence and the government's inaction in conducting transparent investigations
show an enduring instability and erosion of trust among the Kashmiri people.
The government's actions in Kashmir have been widely criticised
for exacerbating tensions in a region already plagued by conflict. The
deployment of troops and the restrictions on communication have not only
alienated the local population but have also drawn international concern.
Critics argue that such strong-arm tactics are in line with the government's
broader pattern of sidelining minority rights in favour of a Hindu nationalist
agenda.
The ongoing situation in Kashmir is a sobering example of
how the blend of religion and politics can have dire consequences, contributing
to a climate of instability and injustice. This grim figure illuminates the
ongoing unrest and suggests that policies stemming from religious ideologies
exacerbate regional instability.
The 2002 Gujarat riots serve as another stark example.
According to official figures, the violence resulted in the deaths of 1,044
people, and damaged over 20,000 homes and businesses. The crisis was fuelled,
in part, by religious nationalism and had a long-lasting impact on communal
relations in the state. Human Rights Watch reported that the state government,
then led by current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was complicit in the
anti-Muslim violence.
These tragedies are not mere numbers; they represent
thousands of shattered lives and disrupted communities. They underline the fact
that when religious dogma shapes political policy, it often does so at the
expense of human dignity and life. The data from these cases shows how
sectarian conflicts and violence can mushroom under the umbrella of
religion-based politics, causing irreversible damage to the fabric of society.
The Way Forward
In a functioning democracy, it's essential to keep religion and
state as distant neighbours rather than housemates. Why? Because mixing
religion with politics can lead us down a slippery slope that often ends in
division, discrimination, and even violence. Just take a look at the recent
turmoil in places like Manipur and Kashmir.
Governance should be rooted in what can be proven, measured
and agreed upon, offering equal opportunities and protections for all citizens,
irrespective of their faith or lack thereof. The aim should be collective
well-being, guided by empirical evidence and common human decency, not
theological doctrines. Religion, while providing moral and spiritual guidance
for many, is subjective; its tenets can be open to interpretation and are often
not universally accepted.
By entangling religious beliefs with political policy, we
risk creating an environment where laws and governance are influenced by
subjective interpretations rather than objective reality. This undermines the
core democratic principle of equality before the law and jeopardises the unity
of diverse societies.
So, what's the alternative? Keep politics focused on
universally relevant issues—economic stability, social equality, justice, and
environmental sustainability. By doing so, we can work towards creating a
society that values human dignity and equality above all else, rather than one
fractured by religious dogma and political manoeuvring. Keeping faith out of policymaking
isn't just good governance; it's a safeguard for our democracy and for the
essence of human society.
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