In a stunning turn of events in India, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s BJP party was upset by Mrs. Sonia Gandhi’s Congress Party. As an American Muslim of Indian descent, I have some strong feelings about India in general and about the communal violence between Hindus and Muslims in India over the past few years. Though the majority of Indian citizens are Hindu, people quickly forget that there are more Muslims in India than in Pakistan (approx 100 million). I believe that the ousted party bears some responsibility for the communcal violence, but the reason I am posting this information is the following question that came to mind:
If I had to choose one or the other, would I rather have a Militant Hindu or a Militant Muslim group running India? (Sonia Gandhi is Italian and Christian, so this is a hypothetical)
I think my answer is that I would rather have a Militant Hindu group because while a Militant Hindu Group will put the Muslims in India, including members of my family, at risk, a Militant Muslim Group would do far more damage. Many militant groups espouse intolerant and exclusivist interpretations of Islam. In that way, my family would still be at risk, and in addition to this risk, the ruling group would likely cause problems for the Hindus in India and promote activities that would further harm the reputation of Islam and as a result put Muslims all over the world at risk.
I haven’t thought this through nearly enough, so I’m anxious to hear what other people have to say.
I am happy that the nationalist BJP party is out of power. It is sad that Indians still cling to the cult of personality that surrounds the Ganhdi family. Having said that however, it is refreshing to see a Christian, non-Indian in charge of a Hindu country with a significant Muslim population. I think this was a rejection of the divisive policies of the BJP. Indians want a pluralist society and want to improve their lives. By voting the BJP out peacefully they have taken a large step. Next, peace, trade, and exchange with Pakistan. Zindabad!
But what religion does the Congress Party represent? I hope none. Religion-as-government is a disaster everywhere. Isn’t the Congress Party officially non-sectarian?
Tony, I think you’re right about the Congress Party being a secular party. In this election, I believe that their election represented a return to a previous secular democratic point of view.