There is no refuting the fact that India is a civilisational giant, a force to reckon with. In today’s modern world, it is the fastest-growing economy despite all odds.
One in 7 people on earth is an Indian. The population hovering over 140 crores (1400 million) is a demographic dividend that India is proud of. Within this is a potpourri of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and many more. Around 80 % are Hindus.
As of 2024, it's estimated that about 32 million Indians live outside of India, making up the Indian diaspora. This accounts for approximately 2.3% of India's total population, which is about 1.4 billion people. The majority of this diaspora identifies as Hindu, with estimates suggesting that around 50-60% of the Indian diaspora are Hindus. If we take the midpoint of this range (55%), that would mean approximately 17.6 million Hindus live outside of India. This constitutes around 1.25% of India's total population of 1.4 billion.
The safety of its citizens is a crucial concern for India.The diaspora around the world form groups in the countries they reside in, demonstrating the deep ties they have with their motherland. This is being highlighted as the central theme of this piece based on the premise of the recent attacks on the minority Hindus of Bangladesh, an aftermath of the downfall of its premier Sheikh Hasina. Having been in power for 15 years, Hasina is the daughter of Bangladesh's founding leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
A quick glance into the recent riots in the UK is also part of this article. ‘Identity politics’ is a fast-becoming serious issue in the world. It looks like the whole world is facing an identity crisis. Are we becoming too ‘entitled’ or ‘going crazy’? Let us have a look with a fair lens. No blinkers, please.
Hindus in Bangladesh
Hindus, the largest minority religious group in Bangladesh, make up 8-10% of the population. Despite facing religious and political challenges like discrimination and violence, they continue to play a vital role in the nation's cultural and social fabric, maintaining a rich tradition of festivals, temples, and educational institutions.
Image source: Hindu protest in Bangladesh 2024
Until recently, up until the Sheikh Hasina fiasco (more than 400 were killed), social threads were more or less intact, despite occasional outbursts. After her forced resignation by the army, she flew to India. Since then, Muhammad Yunus, a Bangladeshi social entrepreneur, economist, and civil society leader is currently in charge as the head of the interim government. He is renowned for founding Grameen Bank and pioneering microcredit and microfinance concepts for impoverished individuals, enabling them to start small businesses and escape poverty. Currently an octogenarian, Yunus won a Nobel Prize for his social activities, when he was 66.
Yunus condemned recent attacks on minority communities in a violence-ridden nation, calling them "heinous" and urging the youth to protect all Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists. He has been speaking to the public, visiting Hindu temples, trying to allay fears.
Minority Assaults in the United Kingdom
Take the case of the recent riots in the UK recently.. Knee-jerk reactions to the killing of three young girls, ages less than 10, started the spate of riots. The tragic incident sparked protests and riots in England and Northern Ireland, fueled by misinformation about the attacker's identity as a Muslim asylum seeker, causing anti-immigrant sentiment. The actual killer was a 17-year-old Rwandan-born British boy. He has been charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder following the stabbing attack.
Image source: UK riots- July-August 2024
Far-right groups used social media to organize protests and spread false information, targeting specific communities and calling for violence. Their rapid coordination was fueled by false narratives about the suspect's identity. Even social media influencers have been accused of amplifying misinformation, causing anger and violence, leading to incidents like mosque attacks and police confrontations.
The UK riots, which began on July 30, 2024, have continued as of August 14, 2024, with sporadic incidents occurring in various locations. The UK government is on "high alert" due to potential violence, particularly targeting asylum seekers and immigrants, resulting in widespread arrests and injuries among protesters and police officers.
Image source: Anti-racist protest in the UK
The riots also saw some public holding placards with ‘Welcome Refugees’ and ‘Racists Out, Refugees In’. Remember there are 8 billion people in the world and each one could be a different shade of grey. It takes millions to make a nation. The earlier people unite, the better.
A YouGov poll of 2,114 people found that 7% supported the riots, while 34% supported the broader peaceful protests. Though some UK citizens oppose multiculturalism, there are indications of a shift in attitudes towards multiculturalism.
Islamophobia or any other ‘religionophobia’ should not be an obstacle to long-lasting peace. Every religion has ‘good’ and ‘bad’ people. Please do not tell me that at a time of emergency, you will only accept blood from a blood bank that stores the ‘red liquid’ belonging to the people of your creed. The potential of humanity, unencumbered by the distractions of hidden agendas, could be truly remarkable
Let us not think small.
I am sure we all have it in us to think BIG.
Hindus Against Discrimination
Most Indians are deeply religious and spiritual. Atrocities against Hindus in any part of the world cause them pain.
Ideally, Hindus should fight discrimination based on religion, caste, or socio-economic status. They should promote inclusivity and equal opportunities within the Hindu community and beyond, challenging bigoted practices and policies. They must support legislative changes, educational programs, and social campaigns to promote fairness and justice, fostering a culture of tolerance and understanding in diverse communities. Their efforts aim to create a more equitable society.
We urge the Indian diaspora to unite, in mind and spirit, on behalf of our tormented brothers and sisters. Let us take constructive actions beyond prayers. Ask yourself if your God would want you to fight. We definitely can conduct our lives in a civilised manner. Or else we should stop calling ourselves ‘the most intelligent species’.
Questions
Minorities anywhere in the world are under threat by racists. It appears as if there is an element of ‘racism’ in all and sundry. This begs the question ‘Are we becoming progressive or regressive?’. This also underscores the need for the right kind of formal and informal education that we provide to our children.
The other prevention-oriented questions we should be asking ourselves and others around us are:
- What were the consequences of the violent protests for local businesses and the effect of that on the national economy and the social fabric?
- What role do fact-checking organizations play in combating misinformation?
- How effective are social media algorithms in reducing misinformation?
- How did the misinformation about a suspect's religion spread?
- Are there any new technologies being developed to detect and prevent misinformation?
Conclusion
We strongly condemn atrocities on minorities anywhere in the world. Irrespective of religion, ethnicity, caste, creed, and any other form of manmade (usually for exploitation), every human is equal to every other human being in terms of existence. Identity politics does not do good for the human society at large. Even the NIMBY (not in my backyard) thinking does not help. The consequences of any racial fight may reach your doorstep before you know it.
The highest result of education is tolerance."
- Helen Keller
We, humans, are bound together by technology more than ever, yet we lack the basic human touch that is required to ensure our well-being. As earthlings, with no other place to go to, we cannot afford to fight each other and invite self-destruction. The most intelligent species should not orchestrate viciousness but promote peace. Prosperity in material and mind cannot be achieved without peace.
The whole world is reeling under common pressures of climate change, economic turmoil, wars, and possibly new pandemics. Do we have the time and energy to add a ‘religion element’ to the soup we are in? Violence is not an answer to these social issues. Open dialogue is. The ‘politics of world leadership’ could go on. It is for the common man to exercise intelligence and not get brainwashed by any propaganda.
The concept of identity is different for everyone. I should not be dictating terms for others and vice versa. Let us see ourselves as humans first and not get caught up on how we pray, eat, clothe, and other matters which are secondary. As long as unity is achieved on existential matters, peace should follow.
In this gloomy context, we believe India has something to offer. The concept of ‘Vasudaiva Kudumbakam’ (the world is a family) is an ancient tenet of Hindu philosophy. The tolerance that is advocated here is more relevant than ever.
Let us live and let live.
Let us earn respect and trust by offering others what we want for ourselves.
Let us reset ourselves for a better world.
