It is true that the next battleground of secularism will arise more in foreign policy than domestic considerations. As a matter of fact Islamism paraphrased as secularism is more a matter of political consensus now then anytime earlier in India's History. But the acid test in future is going to be foreign policy. For those who are standing for secularism will also have to stand against America and Israel.
There is hardly any debate in the Muslim world regarding America's "war on terror". Almost all are convinced that it is a disguised war of civilizations. There is no issue under the sun that could evoke uniform response from all Muslims as anti-America and anti-Israel can. If there is any doubt that in India it is different then one should look at the pictures of demonstrations against George Bush when he came to India. Such was the opposition to his visit that the secularists thought it would be imprudent for Bush to address the joint session of Parliament.
(Anti-Bush Demonstrations in India. Source - Frontline Jul. 15-28, 2006)
But in spite of the electoral compulsions to feed to the ummah victimhood, there is also a necessity - to have strategic relationship with US and Israel. The relationship has been considered important irrespective of which political group comes to power. But this may not be the case always. The electoral test of both Iran Vote and Nuclear deal is yet to happen. After working so hard for the enticing "minority votes", I don't believe that Congress would be willing to estrange a guaranteed vote-bank for pragmatic foreign policy. If UPA's record of handling and responding to terror is any indication then the vote-bank is obviously dearer than national concerns.
The communists had long been looking for a partner for their anti-Americanism. Global Islamic outburst against America is giving rise to new red+green combination. Such alignment is also fruitful for communist in domestic polity. It should therefore not surprise us that both left and congress were competing with each other in their celebration to welcome - Abdul Nazar Madani - a radical cleric, who was acquitted in Coimbatore blast case which was designed to target Advani. It remains to be seen when congress will realize that their pro-America policies can cost them on election field.
Shahid Siddiqui, editor of Nai Duniya and Samajwadi Party MP says - "...All the same, Muslim sentiments should worry the Congress.”They are upset with the government's inability to forcefully condemn the atrocities in Iraq. There is a growing perception in the entire Urdu press that India is getting into a triangle with the US and Israel..."
Madani believes that the Left will gain ground with the Muslim community if they are consistent in their opposition to the US. "The process has just begun. Let us see if they stick to their position against the US. Then certainly they will get greater respect from Muslims."
(Source - Outlook)
In other words there is a misalignment in secularism of domestic politics of Congress and secularism of foreign policy. Sooner or later the two have to align themselves. The question is when.
4 Comments:
No doubt its a sad state of Indian politics as we see it now but it is difficult to pinpoint whom to blame. I guess, all political parties are to be blamed equally for mixing foreign policy with vote bank politics.
Over the years, muslim votes have taken centerstage thanks to the polarization done by the present opposition parties and hence there is no middle path left.
As far as the lefts are concerned, they were always pseudo secular and recent years have transformed congress into the same also. Muslims being an sizable integral part of India, couldn't be overlooked and petty vote calculations have deliberately cast their shadows on every polity. Its really sad that foreign policy is being hijacked by domestic vote considerations, but as long as the two biggest parties agree on such issues I don't see any hope of getting out of this mess. Both of them are to be equally blamed for such a horrendus state and neither could justify the triviality and immaturity shown in the parliament, under whatsoever pretext.
A responsible opposition is a true sign of matured parliamentary democracy.
@ Stambhit
I can most certainly pin-point. No.. by no measure are all political parties equally responsible. Some are definitely more equal then others. There is no virtue in political correctness.
I think the allegiance of Congress and most other regional parties is to the "Kursi" and not to the nation. That explains deformation in the meaning of "secularism" and all the vote-bank politics. I hope everybody understands the necessity of our alliance with US & Israel, but the love for the "Kursi" and hence the vote-bank is stronger. There seems to be a basic assumption that appeasing won't offend the majority and except for few incidents, sadly this seems to be true. In this regard, I think opposition is also to be blamed.
@ Anil
There is no doubt that all are to be blamed. But still, there are few glaring culprits.
It was politics of appeasement of pre-independence era that culminated into the biggest horror story of modern India. But when have we learnt from history?
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