O God!

 

 

Religion is all about peace and tolerance. In India, fanatics from all religions are destroying peace. A TSI report

All in the name of god

It is one of the most baffling contradictions in the history of mankind. All religions preach peace, brotherhood, mutual respect and tolerance. And yet, each religion has spawned its own version of Goebbels-like ideologues and inquisitors who revel in the art and practice of hatred, intolerance, prejudice, disrespect and violence in the name of God.

With democracy spreading wings across the world like an angel of salvation, many hoped that the misuse and abuse of religion to attack freedom of speech and expression will gradually fade away. Shockingly, the abuse has intensified. And the guilty are ruthlessly using some basic tools of democracy to flaunt their hatred. Unhappy with Taslima Nasreen? Organise a violent ‘public demonstration’ that frightens the West Bengal government into packing off the poor lady to Rajasthan. Feeling hurt by Sania Mirza posing for an ad shoot osn the premises of a mosque?

Organise public protests and file criminal cases against her, forcing her to apologise. Angry with MS University, Baroda, student Chandra Mohan for nude paintings of Hindu deities? Beat him publicly and then send him behind bars for months.

Clearly, the signs in India are not good. If society allows lumpen elements, goons and men of hatred to dictate terms of social behaviour to fellow Indians, citizens will soon realise they have been trapped in a fascist society. TSI commissioned an exclusive ICMR opinion poll across major cities of India to assess the growing tide of religious intolerance. The results are not encouraging.