This and
that – Recognise change.
“Divisive politics…”,
“dividing the country” ; I hear this parroted too often by various
commentators, authors and sundry arm
chair critics in recent times in reference to current events. I am not a
student of history as it is not a science. History is often distorted and
dictated, knowingly or unwittingly, by those who record it. History is one narration that has to
constantly change while the historical events are the truth and constants.
In the recent times
authors like Amish Tripathi, Devdutt Pattnaik and others are giving varied
perceptions to epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana among others,
(recommended reads if you have not already a fan…). It is obvious that the Gita
could not have been ‘taught’ to Arjun by Krishna in a day or two and not even
in the eighteen days of the duration of the great battle at Kurukshetra. All
scriptures of all religions have been composed and written by human beings with
various capacities of intelligence and prejudices. Just believing them blindly
without an understanding of the whys, when and where these were composed is
utter foolishness to say the least. To that extent authors like Amish give
different perspectives to historical and mystical events.
The recent comments from
certain individuals regarding the Taj Mahal or RSS involvement in the Mahatma’s
killing, nor similar comments from anybody on any event of the past, are certainly
not a crisis situation as made our by some sections of the press. In a democracy
advocating free speech such comments are only to be expected. The 4000 odd
legislators are also citizens of the democracy. They too have their views…and
some of their views need not conform to the views of the party. That is
democracy.
To illustrate a point,
let me state that even as a school going kid I have always believed that
Gandhiji and his movement are not the sole reason for India’s Independence. I
have always argued my point as such in my circles and not for a moment I have
considered myself less of an Indian than the other.
The only permanence is
change. We have to learn to adapt to change. Change in religious “beliefs”,
societal behavior, politics, governance, way cricket is played and everything. Culture
is not wearing a Sari, a bindi, a burqua or a hijab, it is all about relationships
between humans. Culture is about embracing change and adapting.
If the mind is pure and unprejudiced
and we as citizens have our priorities right, no force can be divisive or
divide the country.
Recognise change and adapt.
