Many still remember the controversial implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act, (CAA), an act that sadly adds to the list of anti-Muslim bills part of a recent crackdown on the Islamic population.
The government's supposed reasoning here is that the countries listed in the CAA are Muslim-majority countries. The Chief Minister of Gujarat attempted to reason that other religions are more likely to be persecuted and deserve faster citizenship. He states, "Muslims have 150 countries where they can live, but for Hindus there is only one country, and that is India."
His words however, only redefine however, that this is a matter of discrimination, and not that of citizenship.
Fear often results in violence itself. Take for example Hindu extremism, which is defined as acts of violence carried out by Hindu nationalist groups. They've been on the rise in the past few months; creating more hate between Indians. Fighting for what you believe is right is fine, but attacking your neighbor for his faith is a form of terrorism. This hate is exactly what sparked the motives of Nazi-era Germany. History is to be learned from, but it seems that today nobody is taking notice. Merely dismissing these aspects of India will just create a new divide.
This relates to the CAA as well, for it not only affects Muslims, but the whole population It raises the perception that India is a Hindu country with everyone practicing Hinduism; when in fact more than 200 million people currently practice Islam in the Republic of India.
As you may recall, protests erupted on a national scale. From New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore, to the smaller towns like Meerut and Bijnor. At least 22 protestors died.
The CAA also reopens old conflicts of Post-British Era India. The same hate between religions is resurfacing and needs to be stopped before it gets dangerous.
Some members of the BJP also advocate for "Hindutva," a principle that aims to define India by Hinduism only.
The NRC act was another similar act which left 1.9 million people in Assam stateless several years back. According to The New York Times, the majority of people unable to prove their citizenship in Assam are Muslim. Many acts have followed, each claiming to be for the greater good.
Indians however, have stood up to oppressive laws. Many still take to the streets to voice their right to have a country where equality truly exists.
It is becoming evident that some politicians are keeping a Hindu nationalist agenda in a secular country. Today, the CAA welcomes the Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains and Christians, but soon they might even be under attack. As some of the country decides to move on, most realize that this might change the idea of Indian democracy. We've been here before. India has been on this path before, fighting to be a secular democracy where everyones voice is heard -- and we've won. Now, yet again, the future of India rests on the shoulders of anyone who has the courage to speak up. All it takes is a vision.
Image Courtesy of Outlook India