On 7th July, 2013 at around 5.15 a.m. series blast rocked in 1500 year old Mahabodhi Temple complex in Bodh Gaya. This was followed by a series of nine low intensity blasts and at least two monks are reported to be injured, one Tibetan and the other Myanmarese. Investigation of blast was given to NIA (National Investigating Agency). Three unexploded bomb were also found in Temple complex
Bodh Gaya is the most hallowed place on earth to Buddhists the world over. Situated by the bank of river Neranjana. King Ashoka was the first to build a temple here. It is famous for being the place where Gautama Buddha is said to have obtained Enlightenment (Bodhimandala). In 2002, Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodh Gaya, became a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site.
The place, where bodha found peace and now there is no peace anymore. India as a country has place for many more religions, casts and languages and has unique identity for that. The same country now become land of politics based on cast, religion, region and language etc.
Just after blasts in Bodh Gaya, one of senior politician linked it to particular politician and particular party. After this politician’s tweet, there were many debates, arguments from every party to take mileage out of this sad incidence. Intellectual politician who tweets first, earlier also called most dangerous terrorist as “Shri Osa…ji” and he also visited to one of northern district in India to give sympathy to suspected terrorists killed in Batla encounter. There was and is enough politics around Batla encounter. Finally court certified it was not fake encounter still same politician can not digest it. I am not against this politician or his party, but definitely against politicizing issue of terrorism, giving religious color to any terrorist activity. Terrorism is Terrorism. There is no color, religion, region for terrorist. But now politics in India gone to the level, where parties will use religions, casts for their benefits.
When Obama was campaigning in USA for his nomination as president of India, nobody campaigned there on the basis of skin color, religion or place of birth. Everybody was talking there about: whether he can pull out country from worst economic crises. Can he keep American dream alive? Obama won election and become president of USA defeating John McCain. But most notable thing was John McCain’s speech after lost in election. Few beginning lines from his speech. “My friends, we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Sen. Barack Obama — to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love”. His supporters were carefully listening speech in tears. Nobody raised slogan, nobody talks about election result as unfair and there was polarization based on skin color. I am not sure when we will have such mature political leaders and so much mature audience/ citizens. Afterwards USA kills its no.1 enemy without any hype. Nobody politicize issue of killing terrorist. Coming back to the point again, calling same terrorist by senior politician as “Shri Osam…ji” and polarizing people on the basis of religion.
It is not about any particular party and politician. Every party/ politician tries to polarize country on the basis of cast, religion and language from time to time.
After 65-66 years of independence, we cannot have elections based on national interest and issues such as “Better infrastructure, health, education system and foreign policies etc”. Whereas we have many more challenges in front of us .eg. Depreciation of Rupee, higher fiscal deficit, country known as aspiration to become economic superpower also known for highest malnutrition cases in the world. Every politician is busy in dividing India based on their definition of secularism. Bodh gaya incidence is not first such incidence, when politicians tried to polarize India. Earlier hanging attacker of Indian parliament became talking point for many years (more than decade). There is long list of such incidences. Few terminologies used regularly in India and politicians are proud of using such terminologies (e.g. Lingayat leader, Maratha strong man, aspiration to become first Dalit PM, Marathi manoos and Muslim Maseeha etc). Important ministries are distributed based on cast and religion not on their caliber. There are no signs of improvement to change the scene at all.
I am afraid and frustrated, whether scene can change at all. Only miracle can change this. This post is somewhat negative and does not give clue on how to come out of this situation. But this is a real condition, even politicians cannot deny. Not sure, when politician can forget formula of “Divide and Rule”.
Some positive sign of change in recent days: Court banned rallies arranged on the basis of casts and religion in UP (largest state in India). Many such petitions/ PIL are likely to get filed in coming days looking frustration of common man.
We have very little in hand but we will not forget our responsibilities. Few points to be kept in mind: Do not vote somebody because he is from your cast, religion or region. Sometime to keep vote bank intact, politicians concentrate on progress of particular area and voters elect such politician without national interest and actual background of politician in national picture.
Bodh Gaya is the most hallowed place on earth to Buddhists the world over. Situated by the bank of river Neranjana. King Ashoka was the first to build a temple here. It is famous for being the place where Gautama Buddha is said to have obtained Enlightenment (Bodhimandala). In 2002, Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodh Gaya, became a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site.
The place, where bodha found peace and now there is no peace anymore. India as a country has place for many more religions, casts and languages and has unique identity for that. The same country now become land of politics based on cast, religion, region and language etc.
Just after blasts in Bodh Gaya, one of senior politician linked it to particular politician and particular party. After this politician’s tweet, there were many debates, arguments from every party to take mileage out of this sad incidence. Intellectual politician who tweets first, earlier also called most dangerous terrorist as “Shri Osa…ji” and he also visited to one of northern district in India to give sympathy to suspected terrorists killed in Batla encounter. There was and is enough politics around Batla encounter. Finally court certified it was not fake encounter still same politician can not digest it. I am not against this politician or his party, but definitely against politicizing issue of terrorism, giving religious color to any terrorist activity. Terrorism is Terrorism. There is no color, religion, region for terrorist. But now politics in India gone to the level, where parties will use religions, casts for their benefits.
When Obama was campaigning in USA for his nomination as president of India, nobody campaigned there on the basis of skin color, religion or place of birth. Everybody was talking there about: whether he can pull out country from worst economic crises. Can he keep American dream alive? Obama won election and become president of USA defeating John McCain. But most notable thing was John McCain’s speech after lost in election. Few beginning lines from his speech. “My friends, we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Sen. Barack Obama — to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love”. His supporters were carefully listening speech in tears. Nobody raised slogan, nobody talks about election result as unfair and there was polarization based on skin color. I am not sure when we will have such mature political leaders and so much mature audience/ citizens. Afterwards USA kills its no.1 enemy without any hype. Nobody politicize issue of killing terrorist. Coming back to the point again, calling same terrorist by senior politician as “Shri Osam…ji” and polarizing people on the basis of religion.
It is not about any particular party and politician. Every party/ politician tries to polarize country on the basis of cast, religion and language from time to time.
After 65-66 years of independence, we cannot have elections based on national interest and issues such as “Better infrastructure, health, education system and foreign policies etc”. Whereas we have many more challenges in front of us .eg. Depreciation of Rupee, higher fiscal deficit, country known as aspiration to become economic superpower also known for highest malnutrition cases in the world. Every politician is busy in dividing India based on their definition of secularism. Bodh gaya incidence is not first such incidence, when politicians tried to polarize India. Earlier hanging attacker of Indian parliament became talking point for many years (more than decade). There is long list of such incidences. Few terminologies used regularly in India and politicians are proud of using such terminologies (e.g. Lingayat leader, Maratha strong man, aspiration to become first Dalit PM, Marathi manoos and Muslim Maseeha etc). Important ministries are distributed based on cast and religion not on their caliber. There are no signs of improvement to change the scene at all.
I am afraid and frustrated, whether scene can change at all. Only miracle can change this. This post is somewhat negative and does not give clue on how to come out of this situation. But this is a real condition, even politicians cannot deny. Not sure, when politician can forget formula of “Divide and Rule”.
Some positive sign of change in recent days: Court banned rallies arranged on the basis of casts and religion in UP (largest state in India). Many such petitions/ PIL are likely to get filed in coming days looking frustration of common man.
We have very little in hand but we will not forget our responsibilities. Few points to be kept in mind: Do not vote somebody because he is from your cast, religion or region. Sometime to keep vote bank intact, politicians concentrate on progress of particular area and voters elect such politician without national interest and actual background of politician in national picture.
Let’s force politicians to forget rule “Divide and Rule”
