In the wake of the tragic destruction of the Babri Mosque voices are being heard vociferously advocating “Hindu-Muslim unity”. However, itis plaint see that the “Hindu-Muslim Bhai-Bhai” slogan can serve little purpose other than diverting the attention of the public from the root cause of communal strife in this country. For the last 45 years, this slogan has been used ad nauseum but the only consequence has been riots and more anti-Muslim pogroms that grow far fiercer and bloody each successive year.
Hindus not homogeneous: There are some who, out of either ignorance or innocence, advocate ‘Hindu’ – Muslim unity, but there are also others who do this for very ulterior purposes. Those who raise the slogan of “Hindu” – Muslim unity project the twin myths of a Hindu majority community and a Muslim minority. The so-called “Hindu majority” is then presented as a home aeneous group devoid of any internal caste or class antagonisms and contradictions. This is Cunningham to preserve the oppressive social structure that keeps hundreds of millions of the so- called ‘lower’ castes under the hegemony of the “upper” castes, both of whom are projected by the unity-mongers as “Hindus”.:
Myth of majority: By churning out the myth of a “Hindu majority”, the upper caste minority seeks to legitimize its own undemocratic hegemony. In the modern context, the majority has the right to rule. The ‘upper castes’ acutely conscious of the fact that they are a minuscule minority, have created the myth of a “Hindu majority” community so as to ensure their own rule. They then claim to be the divinely appointed leaders of the so-called ‘Hindu majority community’.:
Those who never tire of advocating ‘Hindu’ – Muslim unity have a vested interest in maintaining religious divisions. They would like people to define themselves solely in religious terms, never in terms of “upper caste vs. “lower” caste or even rich vs. poor. For, if in public and political discourse people were to be defined on the basis of their social (caste) and economic (class) status instead of a nebulous religious status, our unity mongers, such as the Congressmen and of course our Hindu fascist friends and their counterparts in the jam ate-Islami, would be bereft of any political influence
Ideological war: Hindu-Muslim unity mongers conveniently choose to ignore the fact that the Hindu (upper caste) – Muslim confrontation is actually an ideological war between reaction (Brahminism) and revolution (radical Islam). Can any sensible person ever advocate the harmonious co-existence of reactionary’s arid revolutionaries? In this context, therefore, “Hindu-Muslim” unity can only mean betrayal of the revolutionary urges of not only the oppressed Muslim masses, but also of the vast Dalit and Backward Caste population.
Advocating Hindu (upper caste) – Muslim unity, therefore, can only mean supporting class-collaboration, for in today’s India, the bulk of the Muslims are poor and dispossessed, victims of upper caste misrule. Misleaders: There are also some professional Hindu-Muslim unity – mongers who argue that people ought to define themselves only as Indians and ought not to stress their caste or religious identities. It is this sort of misleading pontification that is employed by anti-reservationists, who assert that in a “secular” state; no public recognition or preferences should be given to v social groups such as oppressed castes or minorities since they are all “Indians”. Passionate nationalism. is employed as a cunning means to deny the rights of communities, castes and nationalities.
Unity of different ethnic and religious groups may not be bad or harmful as such, but unity ought not to be projected as an ultimate end in itself. It is merely a means to facilitate the general welfare of all, Hindu (upper caste) – Muslim unity cannot ensure the welfare of the Muslim masses, the Dalits and the Backward Castes. It can only provide legitimacy and stability for the status quo to enable the upper caste oppressors to continue with their looting and plundering of the poor.
Wanted unity of the oppressed: It is obvious that only a unity of the oppressed Muslims, Dalits, tribals and Backward Castes can bury the monster of Brahminical fascism forever and ensure security of life and progress for the millions of the marginalized and suppressed masses of India.
