We often find ourselves donning blinkers when confronted with the enduring issue of societal and political polarisation—a phenomenon fraught with dangers, yet not entirely new or recent. Indian society has grappled with polarisation along communal lines since the advent of Muslim invasions. Despite this, a remarkable and beautiful paradox exists: amidst mutual distrust, both communities continue to coexist and will likely do so for the foreseeable future. There is no alternative for them but to live together, whether they embrace or despise this reality.
This polarisation becomes particularly apparent during elections, although it's crucial to note that the influence of media, including social media, is limited to a relatively small section of society. Hence, the 2024 general elections are not an exception. A cursory glance reveals vigorous attempts to exacerbate polarisation on communal lines. Commentators zealously churn out statistics to support their preconceived outcomes based on the strength of castes and communities.
On the other hand, the majority of the population, who view elections as a national festival and actively participate in the democratic process, often remain indifferent to these predictable debates. Engrossed in their daily struggles to make ends meet, they are detached from the polarised narratives that dominate media spaces.
It is unsurprising then that newspapers, electronic media, and social media platforms are saturated with calls for polarisation by political leaders from various ideological spectrums. Some approaches are overt, while others are subtler. The most vocal section of commentators, feeling deprived of state patronage under previous regimes, vigorously promotes the spectre of Hindutva and the RSS. Yet, polarisation in India remains a unique phenomenon, often blurred when regional affiliations and local identities enter the fray.
The conversation around these issues requires a well-informed debate and a deeper exploration of both the historical and contemporary aspects of Indian pluralism.
Book : POLARISED TIMES LIVING IN INDIA TODAY
By: Anil Maheshwari
Vitasta Publishing Pvt Ltd.
Available on Amazon & Flipkart :
https://www.amazon.in/dp/8119670043?ref=myi_title_dp
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About the Author, Anil Maheshwari
Anil Maheshwari, a septuagenarian, has served for about five decades in journalism and has been associated with the Hindustan Times as a special correspondent. He has written about a dozen books and has twice been a short-term Fellow at Aligarh Muslim University. He is proficient in English and Hindi with a smattering of Urdu. The writer has contributed to various magazines and newspapers, including Economic and Political Weekly and The Frontier. He lives in Noida with his family, including his granddaughter Anya and grandson Ayan.