Sanely discourse imperative in multi-ethnic society
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: April 04, 2023 -

IN a state like Manipur, which is home to various ethnic communities and people follow different faiths of their choice, it is best that religious proponents refrain from provoking sentiment of Others and public figures pacify frayed tempers rather than interfering in issues that might upset the socio-ethnic tranquillity.

The perennial trend of reacting sharply and instantaneously raising vociferous objections against socio-political aspirations of some indigenous communities are glaring testimonies that the collective wish for a non-sectarian society would be hard to achieve, if not impossible.

Amid such uneasy calm prevailing in the state, it is disheartening that a preacher's offensive interpretation of age-old belief of some ethnic communities is threatening to divide the society on religious lines.

While it is commendable for the preacher in question to tender apology through the social media platform, there is no doubt that the blasphemous remarks has left a bad taste, strained the fragile cordiality among believers and followers of different faiths and even led to calls for violent actions.

Having already stoked the religious sentiment and practices, it is but natural that tension will continue to grip the society and ardent followers of the religion provoked might harbour strong ill will against the provoker.

It must be remembered that of the various unwanted incidents, including communal violence, that rocked the state, religion has never been the root cause of the problem though there were instances of certain elements who tried to paint religious colour to incidents that primarily had been fallout of ethnic tension.

There had been various incidents and movements whose implications were felt all over the state and led to serious humanitarian crisis but in all these issues, religion never came into the picture.

Unlike in some major Indian states where religiously provocative statements given by political Leaders often created tension and sparked violence, Manipur has been free from such religion-centric outrage, thereby underscoring maturity and religious tolerance among the masses.

While there is no doubt about the people's strong desire for social harmony and discard divisive outlook, varied issues plaguing the state such as ethnic enmity, lack of consensus on socio-political issues, objection against aspiration for constitutional safeguard of indigenous communities, etc., are some prime examples of discord in the society.

Amid such complex equations, the preacher's disdainful opinion on other's religious belief and rituals has caused serious strain to the age-old relationships amongst the native people.

Unlike sectarian agenda forming part and parcel of the Indian electoral politics, there has been no instance of polarising voters on religious identity.

Thus, the sharp reactions against the preacher's attitude and intention could be construed as the commoners unable to digest the idea of dividing them on religious affiliation and reflection of the firm resolve to propagate the ideals of Manipur as home for all the ethnic communities.

In order to sustain the idea of Manipur as a geo-political entity of all, it is imperative that preachers serve non-sectarian sermons and spread the words of wisdom for all rather than playing to the gallery and the agitated party exhibit maturity to make everybody feel at home in Manipur, irrespective of differences in religious beliefs and practices.