I pretty much agree with most of what you are saying. My family is historically from Congress so I was never predisposed to liking BJP tbh. I am also not particularly religious. But saying that, I do think there are issues that the BJP are bringing up that need to be addressed. You can argue they are not bringing it up the right way. But I am also not sure it will come across any other way regardless of how its done. The conflation of religion and ethnicity happens on both sides. I am open to discussion but I feel that there are a number of those that are very defensive over the Mughals/invaders because of religion. Look at Saif naming his kid Taimur. Like that guy killed 5% of world's population particularly Indians. So how would someone who identifies as Indian be okay with that? There is a level of self reflection that is lacking which then drives others to perpetuate the cycle. (Not hating on Saif I just think he doesn't have the ability to critically think of how that comes across). I relate this closely to the points that Arif Mohammed Khan made in this interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y18jUF1lWXU
In Canada, we are in a process of truth and reconciliation with the atrocities done to the natives. We have had the Church apologize (https://globalnews.ca/news/8219268/canada-catholic-bishops-residential-school-apology/) and calls to taken down statues of the first PM etc. The US is clearly going through something similar in regards to slavery history. The Church of England has apologized for its past in slavery etc. But for some reason people are trying to deny that same truth and reconciliation process in India which I think is necessary for healing.
On a similar note, I disagree with you on the Sardar Patel thing. At that time the social mores were very different. We are taught that the allies were the "good guys" but that's because history is written by the victors. But Britain and America were not what they are now. America and Canada interned hundreds of thousands of people with Japanese ancestry for 4 years which is not much different than concentration camps. Churchill was responsible for the Bengal famine which killed millions. Canada had a eugenics program up till the 70s that sterilized aboriginal women. America had segregation laws for Black people up till the 60s. So if I am Sardar Patel back in the 30s and 40s, I am not thinking one side is going to be a more cruel master than the other.
My paternal grandfather was involved in the freedom struggle. He went to jail with Gandhi for civil disobedience. One of my dad's cousins was a partner with Bhagat Singh and was hung along side him. I think Gandhi's non violence movement was revolutionary for the world at large. But I also don't begrudge anyone considering that maybe a more physically aggressive approach could have put us in a stronger position. The American independence movement also worked. And it gave Americans a sense of superiority to the Brits whereas I do think Indians suffer from an inferiority complex that has been harmful.
Srk is one of my favourites. He is Indian. I loved him even more for his comments that his kid's religion is Indian. However, bhakts are pissed off with him for his association with Tony Ashai which is why they question his patriotism. And when I was defending him on twitter I actually didn't know how to answer that. But the conspiracy nut in me thinks the funding of Bollywood is probably more complex than anyone realizes not dissimilar to American politics.
For your last comment, just imagine Alabama, that can't handle a namaste in yoga, being expected to be woken up to the Azan at 5 am weekly. A country of 80% polytheists being told that there is only 1 God. Hinduism is ubiquitous in Indian but there is a level of deference that is expected in western countries towards Christianity that is not the same for India.
Edited by malikakas - 3 years ago
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