We are in a new year. 2025 ended in a bizarre note. Two varieties of news had made me wonder whether this country, India will ever get saner.
Christianity is one of the minor religions of India. But being born in a Christian dominated state of India, I have only good memories of Christmas. There is nothing wrong in believing a God or identifying oneself with a particular religion or celebrating the birthday of the God, gods and goddesses you believe in. However, some people seem to have a problem with all the religions, some with a particular religion and some with all the religions other than their own. Looks like hate is the most followed religion in and across the world and beyond.
There is persecution of the Christians in many parts of the world, and India is not an exception. Each year, during Christmas we hear stories about decorations being vandalised, church services being interrupted and gatherings being disrupted, and with each passing year, it is increasing. Organizations like the United Christian Forum (UCF) have documented hundreds of incidents of targeted violence and disruption of services annually, with numbers trending upward since 2021. I am glad that there were good numbers of people on social media condemning such incidents. Indians find pride in proclaiming the country to be the mother of democracy but secularism is an integral part of democracy. This country has failed or got low ranks in so many indexes, including religious freedom. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has repeatedly recommended India be designated as a "Country of Particular Concern," citing a sharp rise in attacks on minorities. The data cannot be wrong when attacks on religious minority are apparent. The law enforcing agencies should be vigilant, no doubt, at the same time, the hatemonger should learn to tolerate, accept, embrace the existence of other religions but the problem is how it can be done when religion is a strong vote bank.
Racism faced by the people of Northeast region in India is not a new thing. I have written
numerous blog articles on this issue, seems like we are still in
2010s. Racial slurs, racially motivated attacks or racial discrimination
are forms of racism but only when there is physical violence involved it
is considered a crime, at least in India. We are told not to react, get provoked,
ignore whenever we are mocked or lurked remarks are made about out facial
features, it makes sense but for how long?
A study by the Bezbaruah Committee previously found that over 80% of people from the Northeast
living in metros have faced some form of racial discrimination or verbal abuse The death of Angel Chakma a final-year MBA student
from Tripura in Uttarakhand highlights the prevalence of racism even after
COVID 19 pandemic has long gone. We often read and hear about various
steps and measures to combat racism but that are all in theory, the ground
reality is different. Race is an identity, as long as there is 'us vs.
them' mentality and the urge to exhibit power and control, we cannot do
away with racism. Least we can do is, not to practice
racial prejudices ourselves. Moreover, the Uttarakhand Police said, they found no evidence to suggest
that the killing of 24-year-old Angel Chakma was racially motivated. Let
the investigation take its course and pray that justice will be served. Lastly,
I am being realistic when I say; this won’t be the last incident of racism in
India.
