religious intolerance

By and large, India is plagued by religious intolerance. However in general, people live under harmony; yet there are occasional disturbances in the country that disturb peace. Islam and Hinduism have been under logger heads for long and there were many communal disturbances between them (1). This religious intolerance between these two communities surfaced once the prospect of getting independence from British rule became evident during last century. Mohammed Ali Jinnah (Father of Pakistan) claimed that in independent India with democratic parliamentary system, Muslims shall completely loose their identity and will not be able to live as majority votes would be in the hands of Hindus. Sir Sayyad Ahmed Khan (1817- 1892) founder of Aligarh Muslim University and Poet Mohammed Iqbal earlier in 1939 voiced similar sentiments and hinted at bifurcating the country. Sir Ahmed Khan said (2 ):

“ Under a democratic system, of Government which forms the ideal of congress leaders, the larger community would fully override the interests of the smaller community”................On the front of Hindu Christian relations, situation is not bright in certain states. The Christmas that passed off recently in 2007 has witnessed communal riots between Hindus and Christians in Orissa State where tensions are known to have built up between both the communities since long. The trouble started off when some Christians attacked a Hindu religious aged leader. Hell broke out. Scores of Churches and Christian properties have been burnt without any remorse. Violence very greatly affected Kandhamal district although government has been claming that situation is under control. The rioters felled trees on the roads to prevent police vehicles to reach quickly. Police fired at Brahamnigaon town. On 27 December Christian mobs set fire to several houses belonging to Hindus and Hindus reacted by burning down 11 churches in Brahmanigaon. Seven more churches and several residental houses were burnt down by Hindus in areas Gandapadr, Badahapanga, Bhandarapada, Pisupadar, Masapadar ,Minia and Adigara. The governmnet sent reinforcements only after damage has been done as reported (3). The Hindu dominated tribal district is trouble some. In fact Orissa state was always in fore front on the issue of atrocities on Christians...............................

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Islam is a major world religion today and has entered all parts of the globe. In most of the Middle East nations, it is the State religion while in some of the other countries, the populations consist of large number of Muslims. The religion of Islam has made great impact on the world affairs right from the days of it’s founding. The great Turkish Empire and modern Arab Nations such as Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, Kuwait, Emirates, Saudi Arabia, non Arab Iran, influenced world politics greatly. New nations under Muslim rule such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and many African Nations such as Sudan, Uganda and Libya emerged over a period of time and are influencing the world political situation from time to time. In a nation like India, the Muslim invaders attacked Indian provinces in 11 Th century and the regular invasions followed from Kabul in Afghanistan. By this time, Islam was already 500 years old in the world and has swept across the Middle East countries and entire populations in these nations adopted Islam as the religion either by force or voluntarily. The invasions in India resulted in overthrowing of local Hindu States and Islam got a firm foothold in India in 11 th century. Islamic rulers had a sway in India for the next 500 years till the English grabbed the power under East India Company and later by the Crown of England. The atrocities on Hindus during Islamic rule resulted in development of deep fissures between the two communities and as India was edging towards Independence from the British yoke, Muslims opted for a separate nation fearing domination by majority Hindus and finally it could not be prevented. The outcome was the partition of India.

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Tolerance towards others is a very important trait for any religion if world peace is to be maintained. All Eastern religions have been tolerant in this aspect. Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism are the pioneers in this aspect. The scriptures of Christianity and Islam have also taught universal love, compassion and brotherhood. However, the aspect of God became the point of focus and conflict.

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