In the name of God

In today’s modern era, clouded by scientific temper and versatile human conscience, one may call it creaky on a dialogue or discourse on religions or say God. But one must admit the fact that three-fourth population on the earth practise pre-eminent religions. Though being sturdy fences among the major religions and vital ways in which God is worshipped, there are common core fundamentals that get obsolete when people argue about religion. For instance, let us observe the sacred scriptures of the world’s major religions.

“He is the only one without a second”

(Chandogya Upanishad 6:2:1)

“Of Him there are neither parents nor Lord”

(Svetsavatara Upanishad 6:9:2 [page 63])

These are the quotations from the Hindu scriptures. Further diving into the holy book of Sikhs, we discover the following:

‘’God is only one’’

(Guru Granth Sahib 1:1:1)

We can also taking a brief look at the teaching of Zoroastrianism;

“He is the greatest one and only”

(Avesta)

Further, Semitic religions like Judaism and Islam, propagate the same and common faith on existence and oneness of God as stated in prior religions.

“Hear O Israel, the Lord, our God is one Lord”

(Book of Deuteronomy 6:4)

“This is life eternal so that you may know, there is one God and Jesus amidst whom though has sent”

(Gospel of John 17:3)

“Say He is the one Allah (God). Allah the eternal, the uncaused cause of all beings! He begets not nor was He begotten and there is nothing that could be compared with Him”

(Qur’an 112)

Referring to all the above instances, surprisingly but factually, all the major religions around the globe cite oneness and commonness through the verdict: “God is one”. This isn’t a uni-parameter that bounds us all under one faith but there resides a paramount message of love and peace in all the mentioned scriptures.

‘Islam’ is a religion of peace in the outright sense of the word. The Qur’an calls its way “the paths of peace” (5:6). It also states that God abhors any disturbance of the peace. (2:205)

“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord”

(Hebrews 12:14)

Similarly, the Vedas mark the golden entity of humanitarians by the verse “Sarve Jana sukhino bhavantu” (let all the human beings be happy).

So here strikes the crucial question, if all the religions propagate common core beliefs, promote humanity and love, then how come the world has witnessed a prominent number of religious upheaval in the form of discrimination, wars and much more chaotic incidents all over? Even in India, which was responsible for several communal violence and riots in the post-independence era. For the prior and the latter, the answer lies in history itself.

If we recall the Britishers’ policy of ‘divide and rule’, it gives a crystal clear account of communal mischief taking birth in their regime. Historians say, “Had they not divided us, they would have never been able to rule us”. This is a classic example of how communities ceased oneness and togetherness.

In short, all forms of communal violence is political borne. In India itself, a significant number of such events had occurred and almost each linked to a political name. We see often, the alarm of elections buzzes and situations around communally sensitive zones turn towards looming and misery. Hate speeches from popular leaders, fake news and communal propaganda spread on and over social media platforms, unaccountability of the mainstream media and the government, all lead to riots and massacres. Thus, it gives a hike and influence in the vote bank of populist parties. However, people who are unaware of the facts get involved in the violence spread and most often innocents bear the cost of their lives. But the literate and well off people are alleged because they shun and shut their voices.

Now, concluding by measures of the solution, one has to understand the importance of questioning the government in a democracy. People who claim to be religious and involve themselves in lighting the fire of innocent bodies to ashes are hypocrites indeed and they need to be dealt with strictly. They ought to scrutinise themselves and adhere to noble teachings of their respective beliefs. Our constitution gives full-fledged freedom of practising religion and criticises any form of discrimination based on caste or religion in the fundamental rights mentioned in articles 25 and 21. The law of the land already prohibits bloodbath, so the role of the administration needs to be played strictly and justly. Governments change over time and it is us who elect them. Thus it is us only who ought to make them accountable for happenings in the state. In a democracy when citizens stop questioning, the government cease its accountability. Thus we need to educate ourselves, our families, our neighbours and our society on the noble message of peace and communal harmony. It’s our prime duty too to condemn any kind of hatred. Notably, we have to usher peace, love, equality, justice and fraternity “In the name of God”.

Faiz Ahmad is a student pursuing Economics from Jamia Millia Islamia.

Edited by: Diptarka Chatterjee