Religion, neo-liberalism and solution

No element is playing the role as prominently as religion in the present-day India. On the one hand, the nation is witnessing rapid economic growth and technological progress that need knowledge, rationality, scientific temper and philosophical outlook to realise and on the other hand, it is also observing the revival and the predominance of religion in the society. It is this dichotomy that needs serious attention to analyse the root cause of polarization complemented by majoritarian chauvinism, hyper-conservatism and religious fundamentalism intertwined with ultra-nationalism. At a time when secularism, multiculturalism, compassion, diversity and tolerance are deemed as swear words and voicing for the cause of minorities is considered as a heinous act or blasphemous, it is wise to understand the reasons behind drastic transformation of the Indian society from accommodative and diverse entity to religiously stubborn and rigid unit. It is also important to understand whether intolerance, conservatism and others are deeply-ingrained and innate features of the Indian society or they have come to the fore owing to political parties that use religion as a bargaining chip to meet their political goals or ends. While it is understandable that democracy provides fair space to all political parties with varied interests, what really concerns is the current political environment driven by majoritarianism is forcing the political parties that are secular and open-minded to accept the dominance, supremacy and hegemony of one religion over others. It is also sad to see that regional parties that are mostly secular in nature and outlook transitioned themselves as true flag-bearers of majoritarian agenda.

Ancient idea
It is worth mentioning here that the idea of religion and God in the ancient times were oriented from fear. Unaware of natural, physical and biological processes in the world around, the ancient Man attributed the worldly transformations and developments to super-natural forces. It is understandable that owing to lack of reasoning power in understanding the dynamics of nature and its complexities, the uncivilized Man wheedled the natural environment around him with utmost respect, fear and to develop a sense of strength. Food gatherers used to worship the forces, tools and animals on the presumption that they help them in the hunt. The belief that undefined and inexplicable forces protect humans from the extremities of nature was not rigid and deemed as unchallengeable till the Aryan invasion of the Indian land. It is only after the Aryan influx that the primitive beliefs of the indigenous people blended with the religious practices of Aryans. It is this assimilation that has been transfused into a solid structure called religion. Post-aryan invasion, native practices like animism and worship through paintings and graphical representations got replaced with idol worship. Indigenous caricatures that resemble animals and other natural elements were replaced by gods and goddesses of Central Asian and Persian origin or assimilated into the Aryan culture in one form or the other. The paraphernalia that had been used to necessitate the hunting process of the indigenous populace became the weaponry of Aryan gods and goddesses.

As soon as the Indian society adopted the settled life, the religion had been turned into an instrument of oppression, war and dominance in the hands of ruling class. It is axiomatic to state that eversince the advent of an element called religion, it has done more harm than good. Undoubtedly, throughout the history of human race, the religion is being used as a weapon by the ruling class to promote its interests across the world and same is the case in India's case too.

During the freedom struggle, the colonial masters used the same token called religion to stabilize their power and promote their divide and rule policy. In the post-independent India, the religion is being used by religious units and political parties to promote communal interests, thereby, contributed to the rise of communalism.

Neo-liberalism and conservatism
It is ironical to see the resurgence of ultra-religious tendencies in the neo-liberal era which emphasis on rugged individualism, relentless materialism, minimal intervention of state in private life, free trade and unregulated consumerism. Upon the careful analysis of this contrasting development, it appears that neo-liberal economic policies have been aggravating the economic disparities. It is this inequality that has been taking toll on the voiceless hoi polloi. Insecure economic nets, debt-traps, credit-led life style and employment crisis have been pushing the citizens into the quagmire of fear. They are left with no other option except to rely on the political parties to channel their grave concerns, promote their interests and other things. This is the Achilles heel of the modern India which ultra-conservative parties in the country have been banking in on eversince the introduction of neo-liberal economic policies by spreading false promises, fear against religious minorities and xenophobic ideas.

The case of post-liberal India validates and supports the aforementioned argument of the correlation between economic progress and the rise of religious fundamentalism. Higher the insecurities due to economic inequality, greater the chances of rise in hyper-conservatism. It is this blend of neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism that dictates the political environment down the line. Then what can be the solution for this venomous and unwarranted development?

State and religion
The ruling class always tries to sustain and stabilize its position through fear, power and coercion. One such area where the state dominates and exploits its citizens without getting noticed is religion. The same element is also being used by it to mask its economic gaffes and mis-management. What was seen as an utmost holy ideal by the founding fathers that the Indian state treats all religions on the equal basis and encourages individuals to practice, profess and propagate their respective religions upon which the incorporation of the Articles to this effect has been made in the Constitution of India has turned into the instrument of manoeuvre or persuasion by the political parties to gain political mileage by breeding the unrest, fear and orthodox ideals. It is also important to remember that since the religion is ingrained in the minds of citizens since they were born especially in the cultural-adamant societies like India, it is viewed as offensive and blasphemous to verify and fact-check the provocative religious statements what political leaders deliver. This gives the political leaders a trump card to use religion according to their whims and fancies.

What India needs is a true separation of religion from the State. In order to make Indian politics free from the communal colour, it should be made mandatory on the part of politicians to renounce their religion and affirmation to this extent should be done before the formal entry into politics. Political parties should be barred from taking religious line. Moreover, on the part of government, it is in the interest of the nation to take the immediate steps to address the skewed economic structure and free common man from economic insecurities.

Author:-
Samudrala VK
Director, Samudrala VK IAS Academy