India – Citizenship Amendment Bill

Padmini Arhant

PM Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah’s political agenda declaring India, a Hindu Rashtra (nation) is emulation of Israel proclaiming itself the Jewish State or for that matter Iran and Pakistan as Islamic Republic setting the pattern for Taliban in Afghanistan.

In general, the trend reflects religious fundamentalism opting regression over constitutional guided democracy and ethos of a civilized modern progressive society aspiring space inhabitation.

The constitutions of any functional democracy profoundly calls for separation of religion and state i.e. non-intervention between the two primarily recognizing the sanctity of all religions while maintaining and respecting sovereignty and integrity of hard fought freedom as well as democratic status.

The governments deploying religion as pawn are often bereft of any solutions let alone remedies to economic crisis at precipice and rely on stoking sentiments through religion and caste based politics. The strategy is widely practiced for political gains and expediency during election and serious economic downturns to deflect public focus from real issues concerning economy, joblessness, inflation and overall financial health of citizens and nation at large.

The administration in power circumvent economy related challenges and instead mislead the nation towards social chaos exacerbating possible tensions and unrest within society. The polarization of society for political and fundamental ideology is the tinder box that India has experienced prior to and post independence. The partition of India into two nations premised on religion viz. Islam orchestrated and implemented by colonial power. 

The British Raj nurtured Hindutva fundamentalists of Rashtriya SwayamSevak Sangh (RSS) on one side and muslim fanaticism demanding a separate state evolving into Pakistan is the foundation of divide and rule politics. The colonial rulers then avenged revenge against population they oppressed and persecuted causing tremendous clashes to depict the non-violent freedom movement redundant besides embarrass and humiliate peace and Ahimsa (Non-Violent) pioneer Mahatma Gandhi in the face of bloodshed from partition.

Post independence, the political parties and factions elected to power invariably retained rather than relinquish the colonial divisive politics. In fact, the policy institutionalized among colonial descendent and diverse contingency in contemporary politics.

The current regime under PM Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah furthering the devious segregation and identity politics not without connivance from the so-called political opposition evident in passing the undemocratic and unconstitutional Citizenship Amendment Bill rejecting public outrage on the controversial legislation.

In the 1980’s, India endured politics instigated horrific violence when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi heading Congress Party indulged in religion oriented politics to boost performance in the northern state Punjab and went astray costing not only her own life and legacy but also thousands of innocent lives slaughtered in targeted religion communal riots against Sikh community in India.

There is a strong precedence with political leaderships and the supposedly opposition who care less about repercussions of their erroneous decisions and flagrant legislations such as the latest discriminatory Naturalization law to isolate specific demography viz. Muslims in this instance despite the figure albeit falling in minority category within nonetheless leaving India, the second largest Muslim nation in the world.

Hindutva as such is aimed at distortion and subversion of Holy Sanatana Dharma or Hinduism that forbids denial of religious freedom and proselytization in particular i.e. forceful conversion or imposition of one’s religion and customs on another. The misrepresentation of religion by RSS controlled BJP together with external forces persistently involved in activities to tarnish Hindu religion much to self-destruction without a shadow of doubt prompting Sanatana Dharma otherwise Hindu followers due awareness.

PM Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah dispensation redefine constitution to enforce Hindutva doctrine and BJP ideology. PM Narendra Modi’s series of cavalier actions from demonetization to Article 370 abrogation proved catastrophic in economic terms, political stability and social integration. 

On the black money recovery and assets freezing, the incumbent government’s selective raids and investigation of certain opposition members while turning a blind eye to own cabinet, party and alliance comprising members equally if not exceedingly culpable on various accounts are simply provided political immunity.

Likewise, the business merchants turned into bank fraudsters bankrupting financial institutions and ordinary citizens savings absconded on PM Narendra Modi’s watch with the Prime Minister designating self as the nation’s chowkidar meaning watchman/ security guard during election campaign. These fugitives are on honeymoon in different foreign locations of their choice daring the New Delhi administration to extradite them knowing well that would never happen given the exposure of all those complicit in the operation.

Last but not the least, those implicated in Panama gate and Paradise papers –  the Bollywood Actors Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Enforcement Directorate inquiry on Shah rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, Shilpa Shetty and spouse…to name a few notably listed among the Superimpostors along with renegade Vijay Mallya...in tax evasions hoarding illegal wealth in offshore tax havens glossing newspapers and the touted english channel television network NDTV etc. in gross misrepresentation. The conspicuous deception and theft is the lifestyle expected to be admired and appreciated at overwhelming majority’s plight in the economically struggling India. 

Indian system beginning with government, judiciary and media collaboration and complacency glorifying the dishonorable is disingenuous at best and dishonest at worst. The glamor and glitz fleecing the middle class and the poorest of the poor resulting in grief and grinding poverty is the proud tradition among upper echelons with no regrets or remorse.

In the backdrop of dark clouds and overcast representing corruption and collusion, the Citizenship Amendment Bill, Lord Ram temple, Muslim Triple Talaq (divorce), Article 370…adequately exploited to avert accountability.

India’s emancipation from status quo is the preliminary step towards economic progress and social equality.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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