THE significance of recent initiatives for Hindu-Muslim dialogue, reported in the media, cannot be under-valued in our highly polarized times. Five well-known members of the Muslim community met Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat. According to the media reports, concerns such as the insecurity of Muslims were discussed. Bhagwat himself visited a madarsa and interacted with the students and imams there. It is good that Bhagwat is keen on a continued Hindu-Muslim dialogue. However, for Muslims to feel secure in their own country nothing short of a fundamental shift in the politics of the RSS-BJP would be called for.
Today, our society is in an unprecedented crisis. Religious polarization and hate towards fellow human beings not only threaten social harmony but potentially threaten disintegration of the nation. Although communalism and communal riots are nothing new, the present onslaught of divisive politics has reduced citizens to being merely Hindus or Muslims who must be continuously at loggerheads with each other. Electoral democracy has led to a kind of majoritarian triumphalism that runs contrary to the spirit of democracy, fraternity and social justice. It continuously asserts itself in a toxic and socially injurious manner with Muslims at the receiving end. Processions taken out during Ramnavmi and Ganesh Chaturthi through Muslim ghettos with chanting of abusive slogans in front of mosques is a new low for our multi-faith society.