“Indian Pluralism and Solidarity for a Just Humanity”

1. Introduction

We, 95 participants comprising religious leaders, social activists, and people belonging to different ideologies and faith traditions of our land gathered at Ishvani Kendra, Pune, 06-08 January 2011 to reflect on the theme “Indian Pluralism and Solidarity for a Just Humanity”.

We wish to share with our fellow citizens some fruits of our deliberations and invite all to take peace initiatives among our peoples increasingly affected these days by acts of violence, terrorism and fundamentalism destroying the very fabric of our unity vital for our continued existence and vibrant growth as a nation. This is a juncture of time when India is poised to take its proud and rightful place among the comity of nations and discharge a vital role for the welfare and progress of all nations in the world in the Third Millennium. But the increasing degree of violence, terrorism and fundamentalism in our country today seems to critically undo this thrust and momentum and engulf the whole nation in a sea of frustration and lack of direction.

It is high time for us that we sat back and reflected on the root causes of the present predicament and our reflections have convinced us that the acts of terrorism and violence are not disease themselves but symptoms of a deeper malaise. We have forgotten that India is a traditionally pluralistic society and this is not our weakness but our greatest strength to achieve a leadership role in the emerging world and achieve the desired progress. Some people in India seem to distort the basic characteristics that build our nation and seek their own vested interest at the cost of the total nation.



2. Basic Foundations of our Nation

Our nation is the cradle of perhaps one of the most ancient civilization in the world comprising of indigenous population of the Adivasis, people of the Indus Valley civilization and many other racial, linguistic, ethnic, religious and cultural groups which have inhabited our land through the previous millennia and substantially contributed in the making of the nation which we call India today. The beauty and uniqueness of our nation is that while remaining, retaining and growing in our own specific cultural identities, we were also mutually enriching each other that paved the way for the birth of a great composite culture and civilization which we are today as an Indian nation.



3. The Causes of the Contemporary Unrest in India

Today, India is on the cross-roads. Conflicting interests in power relations and resource mobilization within the country and outside have resulted in inhuman poverty and exploitation of several marginal communities losing their own basic rights for livelihood, land and culture. The forces of globalization, market economy and multinational companies in collusion with local political, industrial lobbies are promoting a model of development which leads to ecological crisis and not sustainable in long terms. This model of development which is pursued today by a nexus of the State and Corporate Houses is especially undermining and exploiting the natural habitat, resources that sustain the very livelihood and culture of the indigenous population of India. A very influential section within the country without having any consideration of the pluralism of India tries to impose a particular cultural and religious homogeneity on the whole of India in the name of national unity. The above three factors among others are the root causes of the prevailing situation of unrest, terrorism and acts of violence.

In order to over come this situation which may undermine the unity of India and its continued growth, we the citizens of India belonging to different creeds, cultures and races of India have come together in a great act of solidarity in order to build up a nation of a more just humanity.



4. Context Analysis



4.1. The Scenario of Globalization:

It is an on going cultural process with political, social, economic and religious undercurrents. It is ridden with promises and disillusionments. On the one hand it generates a culture of dialogue and partnership and nurtures a global citizenship and corporate endeavours. But at the same it only caters to profit oriented neo-liberalist ideology and capitalist values, which summarily frustrate the identities of peoples leading to cultural and moral vacuum. In other words it promotes indirectly violent and unjust structures at the cost of peace and harmony.



4.2. Liminal Spaces

Mobility, market and media have created a new creative and innovative space along borderlines where cultures and ideologies, traditions mutate and per-mutate giving birth to new syntheses and configurations. It will eventually lead to new identity constructions. The surveys point to the fact that people are migrating to urban spaces massively in the coming decade and as it is predicted the majority say 60% plus will be in the cities where creative violation of boundaries transpire and a phenomenon of reconstruction of identities will be an everyday event. It implies that the liminal space will be innovative arenas and avenues for new promises and growth in the years to come.



4.3. Dislocation of People from their Mother/Fatherlands.

Tribal and primal people will increasingly be uprooted in the name of development owing to the aggressive investment of multi-national companies (MNCs). It will be at the cost of primal cultures and the identities of our tribal peoples. Thus they become the victims of ‘development’ by default.



4.4. Cultural Homogenization

Media and market the vital instruments of globalization will destroy the heterogeneity of ancient human cultures and ethnic traditions, and will lead to a homogeneous superfluous ad-culture which will serve only the media and market interests. This process of standardization and commoditization of human aspirations and dreams is a gross injustice to the age old human legacies and will make the people culturally uprooted and fragmented.



4.5. Cultural Nationalism

Paradoxically a political movement of cultural nationalism is on the rise in the thick of globalization. It is out of cultural phobia and selfish political interest that such attempts are ventured in national and regional politics.



4.6. Rewriting the History

Rewriting the history is another insidious exercise to justify cultural nationalism. Saffronization and demythologization of Scriptures to advance the advocacy of cultural nationalism is very much on the Hindutva agenda.



4.7. Fundamentalism in General

Fundamentalism is another garb of furthering religious nationalism by the dominant majority. It caters to violence, terrorism mistrust, fear etc. Today, all layers of our political and social life have become vicious and violent. Religious fundamentalism is the disease of which violence is only a symptom. Fundamentalism fragments the very fabric of society and is to be taken on with urgency. In this context we have to rediscover Gandhi, the Father of our nation and adopt his path of non-violence. We have to take the insights of Ashoka and Buddha who had shown the way of ahimsa.



4.8. Movements at the Margins

New initiatives and movements are happening at the margins and what we witness are staunch centripetal movements which claim increased participation of the people at the margins in the decision making process.



4.9. Dialogical Culture

The emerging dialogical culture rooted in partnership and networking is the other innovative context to construct a just society. The ethos of a dialogical culture in all layers and zones of human life, say, religious, social, economic, political etc. is the promising feature in the present epoch.



4.10. Glocalization

The stifling homogenization promoted by globalization is taken on by a process of localization. It gives birth to a new synthesis of ‘local’ and ‘global’ in terms multiple belonging while not sacrificing the core identities and values. For example western development paradigm is not nowadays bluntly followed as it used to be in the past. A cultural integration is proactively attempted so that no cultural alienation happens. We have enough examples in North Eastern countries like Taiwan, Thailand, and Japan etc. This process of glocalization is catching up in India as well in terms of palate, architecture, ideas, lifestyles, values etc.





4.11. Cyber Culture

The Cyber world is the new creative space for India which is an indisputable leader in the world of informatics today. In this regard our youngsters are pillars and promises. It entails that our youth should be give greater and vital spaces in policy making when we engage in nation building. It is relevant to note here that the major chunk of our citizenry is young.



4.12. Bio-Centric World Vision

Any endeavour for a more just and humane society must be ecologically sensitive and sensible especially in India which is rich in its human capital and is abundant with natural resources and the landscape adorned with mountains, dense forests enveloped with flora and fauna and endowed with holy rivers like the Ganges, Kaveri, etc. A bio-centric vision and bio-diverse world is inviolable for a sustainable growth and development for a just society.



4.13. Empowering Women Leadership

The Empowering and enabling of Women Leadership in our political, social, economic, religious scenario is a promising agenda for future. It is heartening to know that women are rightfully claiming their position in decision making, be it Panchayats, State Assembly or Parliament. We have illustrious personalities namely, Medha Patkar, Arundhati Roy, Mother Teresa, Kiran Bedi, etc. In this context the political policies of reservation for women in various Govt bodies should be appreciated and furthered.



4.14. Civil Society and its Promises

It is heartening to know that today civil society is dense with liberative praxes and ideas. In the present political and economic scenario ridden with scams and scandals the Civil society has become a promising and a credible context as well as a competent text for showing solidarity with the marginalized and uprooted lot. It seems that the civil society is playing a proactive role in terms of critical deterrent and creative alternatives for building up a just human society through a path of solidarity for a more just humanity.



5. PROPOSALS TOWARDS ACTION PLAN

1. Religion and Spirituality:

a) A deep pro-active spirituality will help build a pluralistic and just society in India. The first means to develop such spirituality would be rootedness in our own faith which should manifest itself in sensitivity, love and respect for the others.

b) There are lots of misconceptions about religions which have been at the root of communal violence, which in turn has been one of the major threats to peace, amity and human rights in the society. All religions have values of love and compassion to which the human heart responds.

2. Dialogue:

a) Religion being the most accepted phenomenon of Indian Society we should be able to create inter-religious cells in every state which will help to promote good will and compassion with one another.

b) We need to approach schools and colleges and such institutions run by us to promote the amity activities, essay, painting, poetry and other competitions on the theme of intercommunity amity. Lectures and films can also be organized in these institutions

3. Towards a Just Society

a) Exploitation of the tribals, dalits and other marginalized groups has been the predominant evil of our present society. It is our duty to conscientise these people of their rights for justice by forming local cells of different faiths to promote Human Rights.

b) Conscientise the Religious Institutions to collaboration with the existing civil rights groups. Promote human rights in schools and colleges.

c) Invite International Pressure groups to highlight the injustices suffered by the marginalized groups.

4. Civil Society

a) The general lack of sensitivity to issues affecting the poor and the marginalized should be totally overcome by joining them in their plight through our intellect, knowledge of law, media coverage and the choice of alternative options.

b) We need to be convinced of the exceptional power of the people’s movement and wholeheartedly promote and support them.

c) Promote leadership among these groups by network and collaboration with like-minded persons and agencies.

d) Involve the media to highlight the plight of the marginalized and their demands.

e) Our stance in defence of the victims of violence should transcend boundaries of religion, and gender.

5. Globalization

a) We have to challenge the evil effects of globalization such as exploitation of the poor by the market and profit driven economy and consumerism which leads to disruption of traditional family values and promotes hedonistic trends.

b) We should foster honesty, justice and compassion by conscientising our communities and institutions.

6. Ecology

a) Realizing the gravity of ecological crisis today we should foster a deeper awareness of how we are inseparably inter-connected with all of creation and mutually dependent on all life.

b) Work towards an attitude of veneration and respect towards nature and other forms of life.

c) Simplicity of our life will certainly help to promote the growth of all life.