If our world was a motor then fear would be its fuel. During our childhood, we may have come across situations when our parents would scare us by telling us that if we didn't eat properly then they would leave us in the dark with the ghosts or call the dogs. That would be one of the earliest instances in our life when we faced "Fear". And we feared because we trusted our parents are telling the truth. When we were kids we hardly knew what God is or who God is but we were taught that there exists an almighty with supernatural powers, so strong that he can grant any wish or destroy the whole world. So every time we were scared of something we blindly closed our eyes and prayed to that supernatural power for our safety because we had faith and trust in something which we have never seen or experienced!
If we travel back to nearly 4000 years from now we would find our earth is not so densely populated. People lived across the earth in small communities. They may have not had a full-fledged political system back then to govern them. So in order to maintain the law and order in the society, there was a need for a set of rules that would be followed by everyone. Also at this time, people lived in a world of mystery where they hardly had answers to any questions like the origin of life, or how and why does it rain and many other. In order to gather the support of all the people in the community, there was a need for something in which people would have faith and blindly trust it. This gave rise to what we now know as "Religion".
Historians believe that around 2500BCE, there were some local peoples living on the banks of the river Sindhu. There was another group of people know as the Aryans who migrated here. These Aryans considered themselves superior to the localities living here. Slowly they divided the society into 4 groups on the basis of the jobs they performed known as the Brahmanas(priests), the Kshatriyas(warriors), the Visayas(businessman) and the Shudras(laborers). There was a fifth group of people known as the Untouchables(sewage cleaners). Before the birth of Jesus Christ around 1250BCE, we find the evidence of a book named Manusmriti, the most important and authoritative law book of Hindu culture. This book is believed to be written by the Brahmanas as a code of conduct for the upper castes. The mention of these castes was found in Manusmiriti. Further, over a period of time, these sects were divided into many smaller groups of communities known as Jati(based on occupation). This happened because during that time period education wasn't like what we have today. A goldsmith could teach his sons only the skills of making gold articles, a farmer could teach his son the art of agriculture, and so on because that was the only knowledge they had gained through experience. Thus over several generations, they passed on the knowledge in their field of expertise which resulted in several similar communities of people having the same kind of occupation. These people formed the jati. This was just like how a binary tree works.
If we travel back to nearly 4000 years from now we would find our earth is not so densely populated. People lived across the earth in small communities. They may have not had a full-fledged political system back then to govern them. So in order to maintain the law and order in the society, there was a need for a set of rules that would be followed by everyone. Also at this time, people lived in a world of mystery where they hardly had answers to any questions like the origin of life, or how and why does it rain and many other. In order to gather the support of all the people in the community, there was a need for something in which people would have faith and blindly trust it. This gave rise to what we now know as "Religion".
Historians believe that around 2500BCE, there were some local peoples living on the banks of the river Sindhu. There was another group of people know as the Aryans who migrated here. These Aryans considered themselves superior to the localities living here. Slowly they divided the society into 4 groups on the basis of the jobs they performed known as the Brahmanas(priests), the Kshatriyas(warriors), the Visayas(businessman) and the Shudras(laborers). There was a fifth group of people known as the Untouchables(sewage cleaners). Before the birth of Jesus Christ around 1250BCE, we find the evidence of a book named Manusmriti, the most important and authoritative law book of Hindu culture. This book is believed to be written by the Brahmanas as a code of conduct for the upper castes. The mention of these castes was found in Manusmiriti. Further, over a period of time, these sects were divided into many smaller groups of communities known as Jati(based on occupation). This happened because during that time period education wasn't like what we have today. A goldsmith could teach his sons only the skills of making gold articles, a farmer could teach his son the art of agriculture, and so on because that was the only knowledge they had gained through experience. Thus over several generations, they passed on the knowledge in their field of expertise which resulted in several similar communities of people having the same kind of occupation. These people formed the jati. This was just like how a binary tree works.
In this generation, we believe in a diverse set of knowledge and skills. We chose our profession on the basis of our passion, scope, prestige, etc and not on the basis of what our parents are doing. Thus this system of castes and jatis has now become redundant. We do not need to be grouped into castes or jatis, after all, we are just people.
The need for religion in itself is a very debated topic but I believe that people must be given the choice. Also, all religions still to some extent serve their purpose as it has several preachings. For example, Hinduism teaches us Vasudev Kutumbakam(the world is one family), Aano Bhadra Krtavo Yantu Vishwatah(Let noble thoughts come to me from all directions), etc. It helps in maintaining discipline in the society. It teaches us good deeds one must perform like respecting people and animals. It teaches us about humanity and many other things but nowhere have we learned to disrespect other religions or people. It teaches us to believe in peace and not wars. And yes all religions might have some rules and customs which may not be accepted in the society that we will in today.
It must be noted that in a country like India we have freedom of choice given to us by our constitution. As a dutiful citizen, it's our duty to abide by the constitution. We may or may not follow any religion as per our beliefs. We believe in equality. Not in the superiority of a race or religion. We believe in peaceful coexistence and not in forceful conversion of people into Hindus or terrorism or communal riots in the name of god! But if our ideology is so clear then what is happening in our country? Why is that our country is polarising into a Hindu community? I thought the power of India lies in its diversity! Our Constitution also supports diversity!
We weren't born when the mosque was built by destroying the Ram Janam Bhoomi! What we know is that now there are several Muslims who have their sentiments attached to the mosque in Ayodhya. I don't think it's ethical to play with their sentiments and break down the mosque and rebuilt a temple to establish Hindu superiority and faith! I don't think the ethics of the Hindu religion would permit us to change the name of Muzaffarpur to Vaishali or Allahabad to Prayagraj! Why provoke the public and distort the peace by telling tales of how the Muslims vandalized our religious sentiments in the past? Why don't we just focus on the present and look for means of encouraging brotherhood and oneness among the people of our country? Teach them how to live in peaceful coexistence without hatred.
What are the political organizations trying to do in our country? I wonder how Hindu a person who is claimed to be responsible for a crime as serious as communal riots are made a political leader? If the same was done by a Muslim then he or she would be recognized as a terrorist. But since this is a country with Hindu majority we are allowed to idolize her? Please understand that we are all humans and it does not matter if you are a Hindu or a Muslim or a Christian, or anything else. We all have the same blood running within us. If this is how politics is played by all parties based on religion then India will not be the same united country with a diverse population. It would shatter into pieces giving rise to several organizations that would seek revenge with peoples of other religions and try to establish their supremacy. The political parties are supposed to awaken humanity lying within us and not make the wall of hatred so strong that it creates a religious conflict that tears a diverse country like ours!
Yes, I am scared and I hope this does not become a reality someday!
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