Bajrang Dal's threat to Hindus

The extreme right-wing group Bajrang Dal's threat to Hindus who may wish to attend church on Christmas Day in Assam's Barak Valley is a self-destructive diktat emanating from hard Hindutva. It's a clear threat not just to communal harmony but also an assault on Hinduism, which is an open religion that for millennium has been known to respect variety, plurality and diversity and for its acceptance of all other faiths. The likes of the Bajrang Dal do not justice to the beliefs of its own faith that has been able to assert itself globally without threatening any other faith. Regardless of such threats materializing to pose a danger to ordinary people who have been accustomed to celebrating the special days of all faiths, the truth is they serve only to tear the fabric of harmony prevailing in most parts of India. Fringe elements tend to be pockets of religious bigotry and communalism, but their voluble presence presents an image that brings about an avoidable perception across the world that India is a hotbed of Hindu communalism. All governments need to rein in on such divisive forces or at least reassure people that they will not come to any harm if they follow the simple but eloquent practice of enjoying all festivals, whether it be Diwali, Eid or Christmas.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog.

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