Pathway to detoxification of Society

-Kaleem Ahmed Khan

Toxification is introduction of any foreign particle/chemical into the body which is harmful
and fatal. This may be time to time in the form of slow poison or at once. In both cases its
harmful & if proper detoxification measures are not taken it will end you.
In this sense Toxification of society means introduction/imposition of
cultures/thoughts/ideologies in society which are harmful to its peace, brotherhood, unity,
integrity, existence or which creates hatred, envy, clash between communities living
together, and supremacy of any one community. And if not rooted out, will damage the ethos
and basis of a pluralistic society.
Let’s first understand how Indian society is toxified before discussing detoxification
pathway.
Basis of Indian society:
Indian society is pluralistic from religious point of view. Here, we have the followers of all
religious systems. Hindus constitute the bulk of the population and they inhabit in all parts
of the country. Muslims constitute the largest religious minority. India is a multi-cultural and
a diverse nation with a flourishing history of pluralism that has been thriving for thousands
of years. Among the many faiths represented here are Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism,
Buddhism, and Jainism. As the world’s largest democracy, India presents a unique
opportunity to understand a long and multifaceted heritage of religious diversity.
Toxification….
Though, India is a secular country but due to communal feelings the secularization is getting
affected. So, communalism is basically becoming a belief system through which a society,
economy, and polity are viewed & expanded and around which effort is being made to
organise politics.
Since Independence, India has been pursuing the ideal of nation-building based on
secularism. Even after 72 years of independence, India is still burning under the fire of
communalism.
What is Communalism?
“Communalism is a social phenomenon characterized by the religion of two communities,
often leading to acrimony, tension and even rioting between them”.
Communalism is a political doctrine which makes use of religious and cultural differences to
achieve political ends.
It may be perceived as a total commitment to a set of beliefs and is far from rationality.
Basically Communalism comprises of three basic elements.
1. The first element is the belief that people who follow the same religion have common
political, economic, social and cultural interests, which has been the basic foundation of
communal ideology.
2. A notion that, in a multi religious society, these common interests of one religion are
dissimilar and divergent from the interests of the followers of another religion.
3. The third element is that the interest of the followers of different religion is mutually
incompatible and antagonistic.
Social groups have long been a part of human history. Categorizing people into "us" and
"them" helped humans develop tribes, clans, and other early social structures. Deciding who
belonged and who didn't also led to conflicts and fighting.
According to Asqhar Ali Engineer, Moin Shakir and Abdul Ahmed, “communalism is an
instrument in the hands of the upper Class / Castes to concentrate power by dividing people”.
The elites strive to maintain a status quo against transformation by dividing people on
communal and religious lines.
Though, there are various reasons responsible for this. But few of them have been discussed
here, understanding the reasons which play role in continuation of communalism are
First one is religious, and the second one is political. Third one is socio-economic and the
fourth one is international.
In the first, i.e. religious, its fundamentalism should be considered responsible for
communalism. After all, ‘Our belief alone is true’ and ‘rest is untrue or incomplete’, we
find this kind of mentality of fundamentalists. As per this mentality, when the followers of
any religious community, sect or sub-sect indulge in their activities, they certainly come in
conflict with others. Reason is quite evident. They do not have tolerance, which is absolutely
necessary for a country like India–a land of different religious communities. They become
the cause of confrontation, malice and struggle.
Politicians also have played a villainous role in creating serious communal situations in
India. There was politics at the root of painful division of India in 1947 in the name of a
particular religious community. But even after paying a heavy price in the form of partition,
in many riots provoked thereafter, we can find the involvement directly or indirectly, of
political parties or their supporters. Along with this for the sake of vote bank, the policy of
appeasement, flaring up religious sentiments at the time of elections, led to the rise of
communalism. These practices are still continued and the country is bearing heavy loss
because of it. We can witness many adverse results of these practices.
Socio economic conditions of India, though after independence has improved and even the
economic reforms after 1991 has been instrumental in improving such conditions, but still
there are many challenges in front of Indian society, which are becoming threat for its
diversity. Population, Poverty, illiteracy and unemployment create a lot of compulsions,
especially before younger generation. That is why, many from younger generation, because
of lack of right thinking, remain unemployed and in a state of poverty, get involved in the evil
like communalism. The efforts being made for uprooting poverty, illiteracy and
unemployment are not as fruitful as they should be.
External elements (including non-state actors) also have a role in worsening the problem of
communalism, and making it serious. We cannot mention the name of any particular country
in this regard but scholars and those who think on this problem from time to time have
highlighted this fact.
The role of police in communal riots is highly controversial. Generally, riot victims complain
that- police did not came to rescue, police forces were themselves instrumental in the killing,
they led the mob in looting and burning, arrested the innocent people and harassed them
inside the lockup, etc. But as we know, that police can act much better, if there is political will
and if they are given free hand along with the implementation of recommended police
reforms. Other than these, minorities are viewed with suspicion by all, including state
authorities. There have been many instances when people from such community have
been harassed and detained and finally have been released by court orders guilt free.
For this, there is no provision of compensation of such victims, about their livelihood
incomes forgone, against social stigmas and emotional trauma of the families.
Such things are set back for the society and becomes barrier for its development. This is also
one of the reason which is keeping India still under the status of “developing nation” because,
such activities occurring frequently do harm the human resource and economy of the
country. And then again it takes years for the people and the affected regions to come out the
traumas of such violence, having deep impact on minds of those who have faced it. Whole
life, they feel emotionally broken and insecure.
Though India is under the grip of communal violence, but till now, other than provisions
under IPC and CrPC, there is no firm law to punish the originators of such violence, no clear
policy for relief and rehabilitation of victims. There is no regulations for security of witness,
for accountability of public servants, etc.
‘Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations)
Bill, 2011’ lapsed in the parliament. The bill provided for a seven-member National
authority for communal harmony, justice and reparations. It attempted to safeguard the
minority sections. It had provisions for ensuring accountability of the district administration.
This has already been recommended by the Sachar committee and Raganath Mishra
Commission.
Now a day’s social media has become notorious for spread of communal hatred. It provides
almost instant transfer of provoking material on which our government has no control. It has
become potent tool in hands of religious bigots to spread hatred for other religions.
Politics of Otherisation:
Not only Communalism, but hate and poisonous waves are introduced through Education
system in which there is deliberate attempt to wipe out the contributions made to India by a
particular community. Portraying the rulers of a particular community as invaders &
outsiders and showing that they are incompatible to Indian culture
According to Frantz fanon a famous French author, a communalist divides people into two
categories
1. Zone of Being (people who exist/people of his community)
2. Zone of Non being (people who do not exist/people of other community)
Zone of Being are the people who belong to his community and he works only for their
upliftment & security while zone of Non being are the people of other antagonistic
community and he doesn’t care for their development & protection creating classes in
society. If a person belonging to his community commits crime against others then he will be
praised as Nationalist & if other community commits mistake they are labelled as Terrorists
& threat to nation.
This is a tendency of a oppressor & about which Quran States that….
The Pharaoh turned into an arrogant tyrant in the land (of Egypt) and divided its
people into castes. One group of them he humiliated and oppressed, slaughtering their
sons and letting live their womenfolk (for further humiliation and suffering). He
surely was one of those spreading disorder and corruption. (Al Quran 28:4)

If this Toxification of society is not combated it will damage the pluralism of India. Following
is the pathway for detoxification
Steps required for detoxification.
As an Individual: 1.One should respect and tolerate the views of other community.
Dialogues and discussions should be done in a peaceful & constructive manner so that
sentiments of others do not get hurt.
2.Practice the fundamental teachings of one’s religion.

3.Help one another in righteousness & piety, but not one another in sin & transgression
4. Do not support an oppressor/communalist even he belongs to your community
5. Stay away from jealous, envy, hatred of any fellow citizen. Do not spy
At Societal level:
If the communalism is an ideology, it cannot be suppressed by force. No ideology can be
suppressed by force. Ideology has to be fought at the level of ideas.
Ideological struggle against the communalism mean, the establishment of the legal secular
state and ideology was necessity, because when two or more religion already existed it was
useless and worse than useless for the state to seek to impose religious uniformity to do so
merely lead to civil war or communal riots and thus weaken the state.

The ideological struggle against communalism above all mean bringing home to people,
masses and intellectual, the falsity of communal assumption, of communal logic, of
communal answer; of bringing home to people that what the communalist projects‟
problem are not the real problem and what the communalist say is the answer is not
the real answer; this is the long haul which we have got to undertake, of going to the people
and explaining to them with the help of history, with the help of sociology, with the help of
everyday life, with the help of our social struggle.
Also the solution of such problems cannot be one or two steps by government. Apart from
legislative support, administrative efficiency and alertness with the help of modern tools and
technology, the major onus lies on the citizens themselves by avoiding communal violence.
Though its bit philosophical in nature, as it’s not a concrete solution, but the sustainable
changes can be brought only by those steps. Each and every religious community has been
founded on the basis of certain values. Goodness like adjustment with others, or co-
operation, or consistency can be found in their teachings. But by not moving according to
the teachings of their religious community those who depend upon fundamentalism and
conservative practices, or those who use their co-religionists taking advantage of their
poverty, illiteracy or innocence, are dishonest towards their own self, their co-religionists
and also towards those great leaders who founded the religious community. Everyone must
understand this fact also. Along with this, leaders of all communities, by knowing it, must
come forward for an atmosphere surcharged with harmony, in which lies their welfare too.
The religious teachers should promote rational and practical things through religion
promoting peace and security.
Eliminating Caste & Caste based classification of humans. Because all humans are children of
Adam & Havva and all are equal before God except in the matter of piety. No one is
superior/inferior because of their caste.
As sahir Ludhyanvi mentions in his poetry…
Kuch insan brahman kyu hai Kuch insan Harijan Kyu hai?
Ek ki itni izzat kyu hai? Ek ki itni zillat kyu hai?

Dhan aur gyan ko taaqat walo ne apni jaageer kaha

At Government Level:
1. We need State machinery which is efficient, strong and impartial enough to put down
communalism and communal violence and ensure safety to all section of the society. Political,
religious or other compulsions should not be allowed to come in on the way of this.
2. Policies like appeasement, fun and frolic with the sentiments of people for individual and
party interests, and selection of candidates on the basis of religious community or sect by
keeping aside the qualifications, one, certainly, does the things against national interest.
That is why; these kinds of acts should be stopped at government level and also at the level
of political parties.

3. If political process is not decommunalised then our democracy itself is likely to perish.
Alternative to democracy is fascism or dictatorship. The history of many countries is a proof
that Fascism and dictatorship are good neither for majority nor for minorities.
4. Role of Education:
There is a great need to work towards eradicating the problem of unemployment among the
youths, illiteracy and poverty and that too with honesty and without any discrimination.
This will help in solving many problems, and will create awakening. The result will be in
checking on communalism to a great extent. That is why it is expected that a lot of work have
to be done at government level in this direction.
But whatever have been mentioned in above paragraphs, will be effective only when our
society and its citizens, become so much capable and empowered, that they can take sensible,
ethical and rational decisions. This is possible only with the help of quality education. But
quality education for such huge population, cannot be always expected from the public
institutions. It is also the corporate social responsibility, it is the responsibility of the
educated Indians, NRI and everyone who has roots in India to bring changes in Indian
society. So that we can live, the ethos of our constitution and would be able to promote
International peace and security too.
The role of education and the press is crucial. Paradoxically, the spread of literacy can also
have negative consequences in thus respect. In simple terms literacy is supposed to be the
panacea for all social ills; and spread of literacy is seen as of the highest value. It is of course
of highest value and literacy is one of the three or four basic developments which all society
must achieve. But in this development there also inheres a great danger. The illiterate
Russian produce Lenin as their leader; the illiterate Indians have produce Gandhi as their
leader; and the country with the highest literacy, with the largest number of Ph.Ds has
produce Hitler as their leader; therefore be warned. Literacy makes sense only if it is used to
spread the right type of ideas, not if it is used to spread poisonous ideas.

Educational system must be reconstructed to emphasize the composite nature of our culture
and inculcate secular and scientific temper among young students. We have to realize that
communalism hinders social and economic change, which is so essential for all of us.
Promotion of secular worldview by restructuring education system and Text Books

As father of nation Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi said…

“Communal harmony could not be permanently established in our country so long as

5. Transmission of the Past Heritage and the spirit of cultural synthesis and composite
culture. The culture of peaceful co-existence. Public Opinion in favour of communal and
religious co-existence and curriculum which is secular. Abolition of Communal Parties that
spread fundamentalist ideologies / Programmes. Propagation of inter religious faith /
dialogue
6. There is need to reform in present criminal justice system, speedy trials and adequate
compensation to the victims, may act as deterrent.
7. Increase in representation of minority community and weaker sections in all wings of law-
enforcement, training of forces in human rights, especially in the use of firearms in
accordance with UN code of conduct.
8. Codified guidelines for the administration, specialised training for the police force to
handle communal riots and setting up special investigating and prosecuting agencies can
help in damping major communal disgruntlement.
9. A pro-active approach by National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH), the body
responsible for promoting communal harmony is needed.
10. A legislation is required to curb the communal violence. Communal Violence (Prevention,
Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2005 must be enacted soon.
11. After analyzing the different periods, we find that the answer to the Hindu-Muslim unity
lay in the ruler, not in the religion. Wars were fought between rulers regardless of religion.
The clash was of interests, not of religions. The fight was for power, assets, territory or
because of political grievances, not for religion.
12. Protecting Judiciary to be an independent institution.
What Muslims should do?
Allah (swt) calls Muslims to perform their duty in uprooting every evil from the society.
As Quran States
You are now the best people brought forth for (the guidance and reform of) mankind.
You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah. (3:110).
So, it’s the responsibility of Muslims to follow their way of life Islam firmly and to understand
the problems of humanity and detoxify them.
1. Practice their way of life completely and stay away from all extremist practices
2. Avoid ghettoization and try to live in a plural society strengthening bonds with all
communities.
3. Strive for Spiritual, Educational, Social and financial upliftment of the community.
4. Becoming asset for the nation and not liability
5. Clear misconceptions about Islam to fellow countrymen and convey the message of
Islam with more intensity.

Thank you one and All. Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu.