Disuniting colours of fanaticism

6 Sep 2008, 1203 hrs IST, Jug Suraiya

Many, in India and other parts of the world, would have us believe that religious fundamentalism has only one colour, that of Islamic green. The vicious attacks on Christians and Christian institutions — including orphanages — instigated by VHP activists in Orissa have savagely shown that such fanaticism comes in many colours, including that of Hindu saffron. Not that this needed further proof, after the Gujarat riots of 2002 which VHP leaders had vindicated with the sacrilegious claim that the atrocities committed “had the blessings of Lord Rama”.

The goal of fundamentalists, of any stripe, is to disunite and destroy our common humanity. Such subversion can only be countered by a refusal to ghettoise the response by making it the responsibility of one particular faith. Fundamentalism is based on the premise of extreme exclusion, the creation of a demonised Other; the opposing voice of moderation must base itself on the principle of inclusivism, the affirmation of a pluralist identity.

Moderates of all faiths — including that of moderation itself, which surely is the most beleaguered of faiths in an increasingly divisive world — must unite in condemnation of such acts. No moderate is an island, entire of itself. Read the full story Sphere: Related Content