SubscriberWrites: Pluralism in India will not sustain without mutual reciprocity

Lack of mutual pluralistic reciprocity between Hindus and Muslims will further intensify the fault lines, writes Wg Cdr (Rtd) DK Sharma.

Representational image | Local people in Chand Bagh area in Northeast Delhi | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

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We often err in blurring the boundaries between religious and societal practices. Society is governed by two founding pillars, religion, and constitution. In the recent time, debate over pluralism (or lack of it) has gained momentum and lack of it is being felt and propagated. On the social media a trend is visible where Hindus who calls themselves liberal abhor the declining pluralism of Hindus. And, Hindus, who call themselves hardliners foment its uselessness. The Muslims expresses feeling insecure as the majority religion community is abdicating their practiced responsibility of pluralism. 

While talking about pluralism, we often overlook that this societal practice flowing from religion in Hindus essentially hinges its sustainability on mutual reciprocity. The principle of mutual reciprocity in practicing pluralism is absent from Islam primarily for its two fundamental religion principles i.e., religious distinction between believers (Muslim) and non-believers (other religions). Secondly, conversion of non-believers as Islam propagates it as an obligatory religious practice.

Both these religiously propagating practices foment mutual dis-trust between the religions in India and elsewhere in the world. These practices further foster lack of mutual reciprocity of pluralism. The chasm between both the religious communities were widening progressively since a century heightened in 1947 and continued through the terrorism-affected period. The fissures now have surfaced more starkly. It has gained visibility due to social media. 

Lack of mutual pluralistic reciprocity will further intensify the fault lines. The prudence desires that the minority religious community evolve in these two religious obligatory practices of distinguishing non-believers and conversion by subduing the practices. It would foster harmonious societal environment with mutually obligated pluralism.      

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