Ram Sethu

The controversy surrounding the Sethusamudram project has developed into a huge issue thanks to our ’secular’ politicians like Karunanidhi. Apart from the fact that the Sethusamudram project will be a huge threat to the natural fauna such as coral reefs in the region, it is also a matter of faith of millions of Hindus who believe the bridge to be built by Lord Ram and his army of monkeys. The DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister claims that there is no ‘Ram’, an expected stand from an atheist but not one that was expected from a self-proclaimed secularist or was it?

Successive DMK regimes have always belittled religion (read Hinduism). While dishing out incentives to the minorities, the party has dedicated itself to following the British Raj’s policy of divide-and-rule for Hindus based on caste. Karunanidhi is a shrewd man. He is no political novice and that can be seen in how he divides the people based on religion and then takes advantage of Hindus’ weakness of caste. But more on how politicians exploit the caste system in subsequent posts.

A ’secular’ person like Karunanidhi would never bad-mouth a particular religion, one would think. But degrading of Hinduism and doubting the authenticity of Ramayana and Lord Ram has exposed Karunanidhi. I have no doubt that Karunanidhi (or for that matter, any other politician) would not have dared to raise his voice if this had been a case involving the minorities.

The repercussions of Karunanidhi’s (and the Central government) insane and untimely words are already noticeable. There have been major protests throughout India and today, a bus from Karnataka to TN was burnt (the passengers were asked to come out, fortunately) and Karunanidhi’s daughter Selvi’s house in Bangalore was attacked by fanatics. However, these mindless actions cannot be condoned just as Karunanidhi’s hurting claims cannot be.

The deleterious effects of this issue will be the following…

• Further divide among North and South Indians. Northies already have a notion that all South Indians are DMK supporters and therefore, atheists.
• The media will, as always, try to project the issue in such a way it stirs up the communal tension among Indians.
• Accusation against the BJP for using this controversy as an opportunity to widen its vote bank (but at least one party stands up for the rights of Hindus.)
• Increased hatred among people of different faiths and regions.

In no other country, will the majority be treated like scum by the politicians. In no other country, will the majority be treated as second-class citizens. But it happens in India but we will maintain our dignity because we Hindus are tolerant and respectful of other religions. But let’s just say there’s a threshold limit to everything.