RELIGION CANNOT ACT AS A GLUE IF AGENDA IS DIVISIVE

 

 

U.S. President Barack Obama and the many so called indices of democracy, free speech and minority rights never fail to lecture India on harmonious co-existence and minority rights. If we are to believe these indices the India is less democratic than Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan and Somalia and minorities in India are a persecuted lot, leading a miserable life! The proposition so preposterous that we think it is below our dignity to even counter it.

 

Where as In India, while the majority Hindu population decreased from 84.1% (1951) to 78.3% (2011), Muslim population increased from 9.4% (1951) to 14.2% (2011), the share of Muslims in Pakistan's overall population in 1951 was 85.80 per cent, while the share of non-Muslims was 14.20 per cent. (Pakistan here refers to East and West Pakistan taken together). Today the non-Muslims are 3.4% of Pakistan’s population! Will the tolerant world care to ask Pakistan where are the rest of their Sikhs and Hindus? The percentage of non-Muslims in Bangladesh has shrunk from 23.2% in 1971 to 9.4% in 2011. Will the tolerant world ask them where their Hindus are?

 

Afghanistan has an even more dismal story of the minority Hindus and Sikhs. During the 1970s, the Afghan Hindu population was estimated to number between 80,000 and 280,000, or 0.7% to 2.5% of the national population at the time. However, the population rapidly declined thereafter due to the Afghan wars along with continued persecution, discrimination and forced conversion. Today their numbers are minuscule.

 

Pakistan's foundation itself is built on a divisive agenda. In 1947, they said that they want a separate nation because their religion is different from others & they created Pakistan from India. They are still practicing the same divisive agenda and the results are there for all to see. Why would Baloch people not say that they want their own nation because their ethnicity & language is different from rest of the Pakistan? Why would people from Sindh province not say that they want a different country because of their ethnicity & language (Sindhi language)? Why would Pasthuns of Pakistan, who identify more with their brethren across the Durand line, not demand their own territory on the basis of their different ethnicity, language & culture? And the creation of Bangladesh was also a result of this divisive agenda and other discriminatory policies which people of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, Gilgit, Baltistan, Balochistan, Khyber and Sindh are complaining today.

 

Religion is a set of organized beliefs, practices, and systems that most often relate to the belief and worship of a controlling force, such as a personal God or another supernatural being. It involves cultural beliefs, worldviews, texts, prophecies, revelations, and morals that have spiritual meaning to members of the particular faith, and it can encompass a range of practices, including sermons, rituals, prayer, meditation, holy places, symbols, trances, and feasts. Religion can contribute to a sense of community, provide support, and offer guidance. It has also been shown to impact both physical and mental health. Religion can help bring people together, but it can also be a source of division and stress, particularly for those who face discrimination from other religious groups or even within religious communities.

 

When various communities live together within a territory with understanding and cooperation, there is communal harmony. On the other hand, whenever such groups, either ethnic or religious, fight for their exclusiveness, group identity or group interest even at the cost of national interest or try to impose their way of life on other group, there is communal disharmony and this is termed as communalism.

 

All religions have different ceremonies, rituals, beliefs and practices. But when a section of people and their co-practitioners consider themselves superior, and get intolerant of others’ beliefs and practices and starts hating them the seeds of communalism are sown. They think the people of other religion are their enemy and they may attack their religion. This fear is one of the factor which make religion as a divisible factor. This is what has happened in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

 

India being a secular country promotes equal faith towards all religions. Secularism does not mean that State is hostile to a religion. The State is not partial towards any religion and this, if practiced honestly, helps in maintaining co-existence between different religious groups. However, if religion becomes a threat to the peace and harmony of the Nation, State may intervene in religious matters and act as a reformist. Similarly, Law may protect and preserve certain precepts of religion like humanity, togetherness, harmony etc. Society is the common ground for both religion and State and for orderly development of the society a balance between the values preserved by religion and those preserved by State must be reached.

 

Religion is not the only identity of a person. Race, ethnicity, language, culture etc also make a person different from others. India has far more diversity in terms of religion, language, ethnicity & culture but even after India is strongly united because India's foundation is not based on a certain religion or language. India has given equal importance to all the religions, language & culture. India has no state religion & no single language has been given the status of national language. Even after a huge population of India speaks & understand Hindi language it is not forced down the throat of all Indians. Language played an important role in Bangladesh's secession from Pakistan (as Bangla was their language and Pakistan Government tried to impose Urdu on them).

 

Unlike India, Pakistan made Islam as it's state religion and declared Urdu as the national language of Pakistan. You'll be surprised to known that only 7% people of Pakistan speak Urdu language, and that too a very adulterated one, with lots of Punjabi, Sindhi, Baloch, Pashtu and English words. Most of the people of Pakistan proudly speak in their local languages as Urdu, the language spoken in Lucknow and surrounding areas, is alien to them. As the foundation of Pakistan was on a divisive agenda they have failed to celebrate their diversity and their varied and distinctive ethnicities. 

Published in Times of India on 07.07.2023

What Mr. Obama and his likes fail to understand, or perhaps, choose not to understand is that discrimination can be measured and by that measure in his country the blacks are far more discriminated than the Muslims in our country. Way back in 1957 Nobel Laureate and economist Gary Becker gave a landmark measure of discrimination in paper - The Economics of Discrimination. Discrimination was unlikely to exist without racism, casteism and sexism Becker opined. While wage income should be primarily related to education, experience and inherent ability discrimination in the U.S market resulted in less profit by hiring less productive white workers at higher wages and ignoring more productive coloured people. The wage gap between blacks and whites has remained almost unchanged in the last 40 years in the U.S with blacks earning 18% lower in 1983 and 23% lower today! During the same time the median wages of Muslims have been higher than Hindus by 18.6% in 1983 and 4.4% in 2022. So much for discrimination in these two countries and I wonder why we have not started lecturing them about 'Black Lives Matter'!

 

India thrives because of her diversity despite attempts by politicians to misuse it during elections. Minority appeasement has been a tried and tested formula of winning elections, but it is slowly losing its efficacy. In 75 years the electorate has matured enough to see through the divisive agenda and so India remains united and prospers. Development and prosperity matter because divisive agendas thrive in their absence. Religion can neither be used as a glue to hold together diverse ethnicity and culture and nor can it be used as an opium to make the people forget their miseries due to lack of development. Look no farther than Pakistan and Afghanistan, the two most disturbed, volatile and bankrupt nations of the world. But don’t be fooled, they rank higher than us in index of democracy, happiness, hunger, press freedom, minority rights and tolerance!!

 

 

 

DO YOU HAVE TOO MUCH IN YOUR PLATE?

Are you one of those who frequently make the noble endeavor of taking responsibility and helping almost anyone who approaches you with a problem? Is this transforming into a heavy burden that is leaving you on the brink of exhaustion? In situations where we bear more than our fair share of responsibility, we often stretch beyond our capacity, leading to a disregard for our own personal boundaries. Over-responsibility isn't merely about taking on tasks; it is a complex emotional condition that can cause extensive burnouts, both physically and psychologically.

 

 

Whether you are a mother or an office do gooder if you are prone to over-responsibility you are nothing but an extreme people-pleaser. These people routinely suppress their own needs and desires to cater to others, with the aim of avoiding conflict, criticism, rejection, disappointment, or loss. Trapped in this pattern, they often find themselves performing commendable acts for the wrong reasons, and often for the wrong people, as they see no alternative method of coping. I have, over the years, analyzed these people from close quarters and have picked up a few strikingly common symptoms in them:

 

 

1. Difficulty Declining Requests:

When asked to undertake tasks that they are uncomfortable with or disagree with, they often find it extremely challenging to decline. Even if they muster the courage to say no, they are besieged by intense guilt, causing further stress and anxiety. It's important to remember that every individual has the right to refuse tasks or commitments that they are uncomfortable with or that infringe on their personal time and space. Learning to say no can be an empowering experience and a critical step towards reducing the responsibility clutter in your life.

 

 

 2. Inability to Seek Help:

These people who are over-responsible, battle their struggles single-handedly, never asking for help. They have an in-built urge to solve all problems on their own, a trait that can lead to unnecessary stress and isolation. The inability to seek help could stem from fear of rejection or judgment. However, remember, it's okay to ask for assistance when needed; it doesn't undermine your capabilities or independence. The person whose responsibility you are sharing must be the first person you should ask for help. Remember, even God helps those who help themselves, and you are not even God!

 

 

 3. A Sense of Constant Rush:

Over-responsible individuals often feel like they are perpetually running out of time. They try to fit more tasks into their day than they can handle, resulting in constant stress and a sense of rush. Recognizing that time is a finite resource and prioritizing tasks effectively can help manage this feeling.

 

 

4. Suppression of Individual Abilities:

Over-responsible individuals often downplay their abilities to avoid overshadowing others. While it's considerate to value others' talents, suppressing one's abilities can lead to a decreased sense of self-worth. Recognizing and embracing your abilities does not necessarily mean undermining others.

 

 

5. Putting their personal needs last:

As they strive to meet the needs of others, they de-prioritize our own needs, wants, and expectations, thinking that they aren't important enough to be discussed or pursued. Mothers are most guilty in this regard. They put their children’s needs first, husband and his parent’s needs next, her parent’s and sibling’s needs third and their own needs last! This could manifest poorly in different aspects of life, including personal aspirations, physical health, or emotional well-being. Remember, your needs are just as important as those of others, and attending to them isn't selfish but rather an essential act of self-care.

 

 

6. Pursuing independence at the expense of well-being:

Over-responsible individuals often strive for the pinnacle of independence, even if it costs their well-being. This quest for complete self-reliance can lead to burnout and might even jeopardize interpersonal relationships. It's crucial to understand that while independence is a commendable trait, it's okay, and sometimes necessary, to depend on others. I have worked with Unit Chiefs of surgical departments who would insist on operating from skin to skin themselves and then do the dressings too. Naturally their operating list continued for extended hours and they could not attend other academic duties and were left tired and unfulfilled at the end of the day. I have also worked with smart Unit Chiefs who would join the surgery when they are most required, teach us a few tricks, share with us some pearls of wisdom and leave to attend to their other duties. Their operating list chugged ahead with clockwork precision and everyone was happy. Identifying over-responsibility in yourself is the first step towards managing it. By understanding these signs and working to balance your responsibilities, you can begin to alleviate the undue burden and cultivate a healthier approach to responsibilities.

 

 

7. Perfectionism and fear of making mistakes:

Over-responsible individuals often strive for perfection in every task they undertake. The prospect of making mistakes or not meeting high standards can create an overwhelming sense of fear. Perfectionism, while occasionally beneficial, often serves as an impediment to productivity and satisfaction. Remember, perfection is the enemy of good! So, stop when it is 'good'. Recognizing that everyone makes mistakes and that perfection isn't always achievable is essential. Learning from mistakes, rather than fearing them, can lead to personal and professional growth.

 

 

8. Over-analyzing and over-thinking:

Over-responsibility often manifests in over-analyzing situations and over-thinking decisions. These individuals end up spending considerable time weighing the pros and cons of every decision, however small, leading to mental exhaustion. This behavior stems from a desire to control outcomes and prevent any possibility of error. Learning to trust your instincts and make decisions without obsessing over every possible outcome can significantly reduce stress and improve efficiency. Years of practicing medicine has taught us that 2 plus 2 does not always turn out to be 4. There are factors beyond our control. A certain level of uncertainty is there in all spheres of life. Even space missions and lunar landings, which are so meticulously planned, have gone wrong!  

 

 

9. Difficulty Delegating Tasks:

The over-responsible people find it hard to delegate tasks because they believe that others might not do them 'correctly' or to their standards. This attitude can lead to a mounting workload and unnecessary stress. Delegating isn't a sign of incompetence; instead, it reflects efficient management skills and trust in others' abilities. Very early in my residency days I was taught the rule of 3Ds – one third of pending work is unimportant so DELETE; one third can be done by others too so DELEGATE and the third that remains DO. Learning to delegate can free up your time and allow you to focus on tasks that demand your specific skills and expertise.

 

 

10. Neglecting Self-care:

Over-responsible people often neglect self-care as they prioritize other people's needs over their own. This can range from ignoring physical health by skipping meals or exercise, to neglecting mental health by not giving themselves time to relax or engage in activities they enjoy. It's crucial to understand that self-care isn't a luxury but a necessity. Regularly setting aside time for self-care can significantly improve your overall well-being and productivity. Failing to do this leads to early burn-outs.

 

 

Remember, recognizing over-responsibility is the first step in addressing it. Are you too a member of this club? By identifying these behaviors and working to mitigate them, you can create a more balanced approach to responsibilities and enhance your overall wellbeing. Having too much in your plate is neither good for you, nor your colleagues and ultimately the work you are expected to perform will suffer too.