Hard nut to crack

Lead review

The intolerant Indian: Why we must rediscover a liberal space

Gautam Adhikari
Harper Collins
2011, pp 210
Rs 399

Gautam Adhikari makes an eloquent, thought-provoking ''plea for the restoration of a liberal spirit in public life'' in India. He points out how the idea and ideal of India, a “unique experiment in democratic nation building” where many views and voices can peacefully thrive, is gravely threatened today. India survives because of this very ideal of liberal democracy which promises equal respect to an unprecedented diversity of languages, ethnicities and religions. Yet, not only religious fanatics, but other mindless forces have repeatedly threatened India’s foundations. Adhikari looks to India’s growing middle class, whose “youthful desire for upward mobility will hopefully create an expanding constituency for a liberal society that is open to the world of ideas, is ready to live with dissent and remains deeply conscious of India’s credibility as a truly tolerant democracy.”

Secularism stands for the separation of religious and governmental authority. “It does not support any form of organised religion.” The Indian version of secularism is a soft and diffused one, Adhikari contends. “In India, the state, far from fighting for a separate identity, frequently caves in to accommodate demands made by religious groups.” The author goes on to show with well-substantiated arguments, how radical members of India’s major religious groups have at times been instigated by apostles of hatred.

Implementation of a uniform civil code for all citizens has faced roadblocks for over half a century. Meanwhile, instead of firmly supporting everyone’s right to freedom of expression, our governments at both the state and central levels, have effetely resorted to banning books to appease vote banks. This soft approach itself can further foment communal tensions.

Adhikari spares nobody as he lashes out with powerful comments. He pushes readers out of their comfort zones and urges them to think. “The BJP today is hostage to a world-view founded on such archaic intolerance, which goes against the Constitution of India.” The rout of the Congress in the elections following the infamous Emergency marked “the first phase of the decline of the Congress from a broadly liberal, democratic organisation to an illiberal family-run enterprise.” As for Islam, “would the state permit specific Islamic laws or practices to trump secular laws of the land applicable in theory to all citizens?” He cites instances to show how “the assumption is that all communities, in India or anywhere else, must care for specific Islamic grievances, global and local,” or prepare to face dire consequences.

While life is improving for India’s elite, a huge section of Indians are among the poorest in the world, lacking access to potable water, power, healthcare and housing. The Indian judicial system is clogged with millions of pending cases, as 1,000s languish in jails without a trial. People are losing faith in getting justice through fair legal means.

“Enforcers of law violate citizens’ legal rights, and citizens… look upon the enforcers as malevolent oppressors rather than benevolent protectors.” Elsewhere Adhikari adds, “In style and attitude, members of the (Indian Administrative Service and Indian Police service) remain beholden to the imperial tradition while the masses of ordinary people still treat them as their rulers.” These inequities pave the way for violence and intolerance. “The Maoist movement in central India threatens to tear the country asunder in the name of securing justice for the poor.”

Adhikari examines in detail “disruptive intolerance principally in the religious-cultural context because that is where the threat to the concept of a pluralist, liberal India is most visible.” In comparison, his treatment of other areas of concern seems cursory. He elaborates on religion and illiberalism in the international context for over 20 pages. Yet, he concedes only a few paragraphs to issues of violence and oppression against women, who are, despite plummeting sex ratios, still almost half of India’s population. More coverage could also have been given to other serious problem areas such as inter-ethnic and inter-caste tensions, regional identity politics, and armed extremist movements.