By Don Aguiar
Mumbai: Have you noticed that a bronze medalist is generally happier than a silver medalist at the end of the game?
It’s not incidental finding but proven fact in many research studies after studying reactions of silver medalists vs. bronze medalists!
Ideally, a silver medalist should be happier than the bronze. But, human mind doesn’t work like mathematics. This happens because of phenomenon of counterfactual thinking. A concept in psychology in which there is human tendency to create possible alternatives to life events that have already happened, that would be contrary to what happened.
Silver medalist thinks, “Oh I couldn’t win the gold medal.” Bronze medalist thinks, “At least I got a medal.” Silver medal is won after losing, but Bronze medal is won after winning.
This happens in our life also, we don’t appreciate what we have but feel sad with what we don’t have. Let’s be grateful for our blessings, they far outweigh our problems, if we start counting.
This brings us to, India’s Muslim and Christian communities being communally discriminated and harassed in terms of profile and power. Muslims and Christians are less than 20 percent of the population and are made to presently feel so threatened and discriminated against by the majority right wing Hindutva communal government.
Today, the Muslim and Christian communities feel their aspirations are being not represented and not supported. From churches and mosques being vandalized and destroyed to Christian and Muslim worshipers being manhandled, victimized and persecuted, by the majority right wing communal activists, it is all finally mainstream and promoted extensively.
Whenever religion starts playing a more and more dominant role in politics, governance, culture and societal norms, there are problems. When everything is seen through the lens of religion, the consequences can be disastrous. History has too many examples of religion mixing too much with politics, leading to the decline of a nation.
Pre-revolution Iran was a free, progressive society. Post fundamentalist takeover, Iran today is a near pariah, oppressive state with global sanctions against it. Pakistan has suffered immensely for choosing religion over a free democratic society. ISIS destroyed economies wherever it went. Afghanistan is an economic mess under the Taliban. Religion dominating everything destroys economies and society.
One might say that brand Hindutva promoted by the present Hindutva communal government is different. However, it doesn’t work that way. It isn’t about a religion’s teachings or text. When a society places religion above all other values – justice, freedom, equality, opportunity, infrastructure, economy – a nation ultimately suffers. There is a slippery slope, where fundamentalism eventually takes over.
Human beings are biologically wired to be clannish. We have an innate tendency to bond with ‘people like us’ and have aversion to ‘people other than us’. This primitive tribalism instinct kept us safe in the jungles. However, it is a hindrance in the smooth running of a modern country, particularly India. We have more variety in culture, language, religion than any other nation. If we decide to run the country based on clans and tribes, we will never focus on what really matters – good governance and growing our economy.
Modern India was somewhat haphazardly designed, as the British left. However, modern India’s design had a key asset – a secular democracy where everyone was equal and some institutions that enable a modern democracy – courts, parliament, executive and the bureaucracy. Fortunately, we not only inherited them from the British but also preserved them until date. If we do not guard these institutions, if religion is all we care about, we risk giving up becoming an advanced nation and in the worst case, slipping into fundamentalism.
Guarding our democracy, freedom and institutions isn’t anti-national or anti-Religious. It’s the duty of all Indians. For once we lose them, chances are they aren’t ever coming back soon.
This may be the Hindutva moment with the Hindu communal government in power. But if thought that the Hindutva moment is okay to show Muslims and Christians their place in India (as second-class citizens), they are destroying something crucial. They are destroying equality, justice and harmony, all essential to make a modern, progressive nation. They are also enabling more fundamentalism. For if Hindutva can dominate Muslims and Christians a little bit, why not a bit more? Where will we draw the line? Chances are, we won’t be able to.
This is becoming imminent. India’s democracy is currently under threat. As, the needle has moved towards Hindutva dominance/fundamentalism. This is the time to be aware of the consequences, if the needle moves too much. Before it gets too late. And chances are, when it is too late, we won’t even be able to write or read articles like this.
We the people need to make up our mind and action to keep India intact – What do we the people want more? To continue as a secular democratic republic at all costs? Or maybe just some respect for our religion but also keeping India’s foundations of a modern democracy intact? In other words, going in for a gold, silver or bronze medal. This collective choice is what will determine our future.
Disclaimer: The article is the personal views of the writer.