Noam Chomsky is one of the leading peace workers in the world. In the wake of America’s attack on Vietnam, he brought out his classic formulation, ‘manufacturing consent’. The phrase explains the state manipulating public opinion to have the public approve of it policies—in this case, the attack of the American state on Vietnam, which was then struggling to free itself from French colonial rule.
In India, we are witness to manufactured hate against religious minorities. This hatred serves to enhance polarisation in society, which undermines India’s democracy and Constitution and promotes support for a Hindu nation. Hate is being manufactured through multiple mechanisms. For example, it manifests in violence against religious minorities. Some recent ghastly expressions of this manufactured hate was the massive communal violence witnessed in Mumbai (1992-93), Gujarat (2002), Kandhamal (2008) and Muzaffarnagar (2013). Its other manifestation was in the form of lynching of those accused of having killed a cow or consumed beef. A parallel phenomenon is the brutal flogging, often to death, of Dalits who deal with animal carcasses or leather.
Yet another form of this was seen when Shambhulal Regar, indoctrinated by the propaganda of Hindu nationalists, burned alive Afrazul Khan and shot the video of the heinous act. For his brutality, he was praised by many. Regar was incited into the act by the propaganda around love jihad. Lately, we have the same phenomenon of manufactured hate taking on even more dastardly proportions as youth related to Hindu nationalist organisations have been caught using pistols, while police authorities look on.
Anurag Thakur, a BJP minster in the central government recently incited a crowd in Delhi to complete his chant of what should happen to ‘traitors of the country...” with a “they should be shot”. Just two days later, a youth brought a pistol to the site of a protest at Jamia Millia Islamia university and shouted “take Azaadi!” and fired it. One bullet hit a student of Jamia. This happened on 30 January, the day Nathuram Godse had shot Mahatma Gandhi in 1948. A few days later, another youth fired near the site of protests against the CAA and NRC at Shaheen Bagh. Soon after, he said that in India, “only Hindus will rule”.
What is very obvious is that the shootings by those associated with Hindu nationalist organisations are the culmination of a long campaign of spreading hate against religious minorities in India in general and against Muslims in particular. The present phase is the outcome of a long and sustained hate campaign, the beginning of which lies in nationalism in the name of religion; Muslim nationalism and Hindu nationalism. This sectarian nationalism picked up the communal view of history and the communal historiography which the British introduced in order to pursue their ‘divide and rule’ policy.
In India what became part of “social common sense” was that Muslim kings had destroyed Hindu temples, that Islam was spread by force, and that it is a foreign religion, and so on. Campaigns, such as the one for a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Rama to be built at the site where the Babri masjid once stood, further deepened the idea of a Muslim as a “temple-destroyer”. Aurangzeb, Tipu Sultan and other Muslim kings were tarnished as the ones who spread Islam by force in the subcontinent. The tragic Partition, which was primarily due to British policies, and was well-supported by communal streams also, was entirely attributed to Muslims. The Kashmir conflict, which is the outcome of regional, ethnic and other historical issues, coupled with the American policy of supporting Pakistan’s ambitions of regional hegemony, (which also fostered the birth of Al-Qaeda), was also attributed to the Muslims.
With recurring incidents of communal violence, these falsehoods went on going deeper into the social thinking. Violence itself led to ghettoisation of Muslims and further broke inter-community social bonds. On the one hand, a ghettoised community is cut off from others and on the other hand the victims come to be presented as culprits. The percolation of this hate through word-of-mouth propaganda, media and re-writing of school curricula, had a strong impact on social attitudes towards the minorities.
In the last couple of decades, the process of manufacturing hate has been intensified by the social media platforms which are being cleverly used by the communal forces. Swati Chaturvedi’s book, I Am a Troll: Inside the Secret World of the BJP’s Digital Army, tells us how the BJP used social media to spread hate. Whatapp University became the source of understanding for large sections of society and hate for the ‘Other’, went up by leaps and bounds. To add on to this process, the phenomenon of fake news was shrewdly deployed to intensify divisiveness.
Currently, the Shaheen Bagh movement is a big uniting force for the country; but it is being demonised as a gathering of ‘anti-nationals’. Another BJP leader has said that these protesters will indulge in crimes like rape. This has intensified the prevalent hate.
While there is a general dominance of hate, the likes of Shambhulal Regar and the Jamia shooter do get taken in by the incitement and act out the violence that is constantly hinted at. The deeper issue involved is the prevalence of hate, misconceptions and biases, which have become the part of social thinking.
These misconceptions are undoing the amity between different religious communities which was built during the freedom movement. They are undoing the fraternity which emerged with the process of India as a nation in the making. The processes which brought these communities together broadly drew from Gandhi, Bhagat Singh and Ambedkar. It is these values which need to be rooted again in the society. The communal forces have resorted to false propaganda against the minorities, and that needs to be undone with sincerity.
Combating those foundational misconceptions which create hatred is a massive task which needs to be taken up by the social organisations and political parties which have faith in the Indian Constitution and values of freedom movement. It needs to be done right away as a priority issue in with a focus on cultivating Indian fraternity yet again.
Comments
#17 THINKERS, Mangalore
Are you circumcising? Where it is in Quran. Hadith is manmade. Allah never gave quran to Muhammad. Angel gave quran to Muhammad. Angel is not almighty, limited in Power. Satan can overtake angel. Muhammad was caught by satan and the angel couldn’t stop satan delivering satanic verses. Your Allah didn’t interfere at the same time. Allah is from the 14th century. Where was allah before 14th century. Allah means in Hebrew Oak Tree. Allah means in Sanskrit Goddess. AlLat, Uzzah and Mannat three daughters of Allah Muhammad worshiped. Khayru al-makireena ! (S. 3:54; cf. 8:30) Allah is the greatest deceiver. In English translations purposely made it planner, scheduler instead of deceiver. Do Muhammad said in his own mouth I am the last prophet in the Quran. Show me from Uthman edited Quran. Do allah said worship me I am God. Allah never spoke to Muhammad in the Quran. Muhammad Hadith is the sayings of Muhammad. Muhammad was caught by the satatn and delivered satanic verses. Jesus defeated Satan, Jesus was sinless. Muhammad is a sinner asked forgiveness from Allah 70X7 times a day. Don’t follow a sinner’s Book. Jesus is truth and Light. Both the names are advocated to God Almighty. Jesus is coming again. Muhammad’s body rotted in the grave.
#17 THINKERS, Mangalore
Are you circumcising? Where in Quran. Hadith is man-made. Allah never gave quran to Muhammad. Angel gave quran to Muhammad. Angel is not almighty, limited in Power. Satan can overtake angel. Satan cannot overtake God. Allah is from the 14th century. Where was allah before 14th century. Allah means in Hebrew Oak Tree. Allah means in Sanskrit Goddess. AlLat, Uzzah and Mannat. Allah is a greatest deceiver khayru al-makireena)! S. 3:54; cf. 8:30 In English translations purposely made it planner, scheduler and deceiver. Do Muhammad said in his mouth I am the last prophet. Show me from Uthman edited Quran. Do allah said worship me I am God. Allah never spoke to Muhammad in the Quran. Muhammad Hadith is the sayings of Muhammad. Muhammad was caught by the satan and delivered satanic verses. Jesus defeated Satan, Jesus was sinless. Muhammad is a sinner asked forgiveness from Allah 70X7 times a day. Don’t follow a sinner’s Book. Jesus is truth and Light. Both the names are advocated to God Almighty. Jesus is coming again. Muhammad is rotting in the grave.
Dear Prem Prasad,
Sometimes when we learn from cheddi hinduism its not what hindu scriptures says.. similarly there are half baked knowledge in all community... Even if you are reading english translated QURAN.. Its ok. God helps those who look for him HONESTLY> never keep hatred. instead read QURAN to understand, GOD and his attributes ... Allah is all powerful and all knowing... He even knows what is inside your heart even if you are sitting in the DARKEST place on EARTH.. there are some lessons in the QURAN, if we use our intellect rightly... then WE have a lot in this LIFE other than hatred and Jealousy... Come prem...Look for QURAN honestly.
Please know that ALLAH created everything and he sent many prophets when people deviated and worshiped created things...JeSus pbuh was also a messenger of God. Muhammad pbuh is the final and last messenger of God...
Please check the bible where Jesus says worship me, Hindu scriptures says NA TASYA PRATIMA ASTI... there is no image of GOD ... But cheddis will drag U to worship their man made Gods.. anyway QURAN says Use your intellect, Verify what quran speaks... Think and think again and accept what it says...
TRY IT PREM.
#14 THINKERS, Mangalore
Do you still depend on Quran and Hadith which is a trash. III caliph uthman manipulated and edited it, destroying all originals. Muhammad was made to read 7 versions of the Quran and you have only one quran manipulated by the III caliph uthman. The editor of the Quran was wounded by muslims in the Mosque. He ran away to his house. He was killed in cold blood in his house. His quran was soaked in blood. 9/11 is nothing for Muslims. You killed editor of the Quran. What a sarcastic religion you are following. 110-220 and several other sects ahmadies, salafies and kulfies.
Talibans, al qaidah, al nusrah, lashkar toiba etc, etc., RSS is nothing before these Muslims beheader, killers and butchers.
#14 THINKERS, Mangalore
I read English Quran. Muslims said you should read Arabic Quran because allah is limited to Arabic and Mecca. 5 times performing Salat turning the face to Mecca is in Arabic all over the world. Who needs this Limited allah never knowing humans other languages. Read Sanathana Dharma holy book and the holy Bible of Jesus Christ. you will shun your 110 shia and 220 sunni divide.
Prem prasad,
The media has spent a lot to keep guys like U to think the opposite way... I can suggest U to read QURAN .. U will understand every query which is having in your mind. When U feel hatred towards Muslims. Atleast check Yaar what is written in QURAN (Muslim book)...
Dont depend on cheddi media (JNU twisted issue is one)..and zionist media(9/11) ... which has taken people like you as a playboy for them by keeping the masses in FALSE msgs (There are many videos which exposes their evil works)
Understand LIFE and thank God that someone is introducing YOU to the DIVINE knowledge which will benefit in your LIFE & Life after death.... The more Hatred U keep in your heart, it is like YOU are carrying a MOUNTAIN in your back... So, honestly I suggest U to look QURAN which mentions about the LIFE & DEATH and how evil controls those who are FAR from the TRUTH.
#12 THINKERS, Mangalore
Godse killed Gandhi and no more. Muslims stabbed whole India from the back and the wounds are not healed. Why the Muslims wear Nuns dress and carry out suicide bombs. Whole world knows who are the terrorists.
Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Egypt,Sudan's Darfur and the world knows who are the terrorists - All Muslims support zionists.
Prem Prasad
Please ask the Cheddis WHY they dont wear nun's dress when they bomb and blame...
Come on Yaar, dont think we are stupids, whole india know who are bombers and who are innocent... We dont need to tell who is desh premi and who not... But Godse gang will definetely believe wat U say.
#10 THINKERS, Mangalore
You are not less than a Mohammad bin Tuglaq.
RSS are in self-defense.
Show one Christian Nun in full dress blown herself to kill terrorists and innocents in the name of Christianity.- You are bankrupt.
Prem prasad
Have u seen anyhwere in the media cheddis disguised as muslim planting the bombs and the authorities straight away blaming the muslims and FOOLS like U accepting such false newss...
Might be seen in zionist intelligence ...
#6 Rikaz, Mangalore
Have you seen anywhere in the world a fully covered nun carried out a suicide bombing.
The women is a show piece in the Christian land, Islam's Christianophoia. Who knows she plants bombs anywhere she is willing.
when nuns wear burka and go in flight....no issue at all...its hypocrisy...
Quran never say wear burqa, cover fully top to bottom. Hadith is man made.
She wants to switch seat. She is uncomfortable with the co-passenger.
Abdulle is from a Somalian dissent. Cover picture shows white from M.E. All deceptions.
USA is not taking excuses like France and Belgium. Good that the women is thrown out from the plane – safety first.
shame on USA, the so called liberator and democracy protector......
Divine teaching says it is better for YOU to wear your HIJAB...
People with lustful desires alwz oppose such divine teachings... forgetting that they will face their CREATOR one day. It is cos of the MERCY of ALLAH that U escape now... But he will take care of such trouble makers on its prescribed time.. Until then U enjoy your devilish acts... which will have an end and that end will be very severe .... Look how Pharoah was ruling over the people but in the end he has nothing...
QURAN speaks about the LIFE in this earth and how ALLAH bring back the LIFE after death to justify that has happened in this life.. The same way HE gave us life in the first place
It has created problems around the globe such as Iraq, Siria, Egypt, Libiya etc...now they want to live peacefully by evacuating Muslims from flight and country, if you see president nominate Donald Trump's speech where he does not want Muslims to enter US....
For the second time same airlines committed this hate crime in a month
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