Fundamentalism is a major threat to democracy: Nayar

The fundamentalism that has spread across religions is posing a threat to democracy. Those who are caught in its web, whether they belong to minority or majority religions, have to be dealt with proper measures.

Poverty, religious fundamentalism and casteism are more dangerous to democracy than any other political ploys, said Kuldip Nayar, a veteran journalist, here on Friday.
At a talk on “Is Indian democracy in danger,” organised by the Bangalore International Centre, Nayar cited Nehru’s observation that the communalism of the minority can be tackled and the bigger danger is the communalism of the majority.

Today, we are dealing with one kind of fundamentalism with another kind. This, Nayar warned, could undo India itself.

He said one could see a radical version of Islam today. There is a group now that believes in a particular kind of philosophy, he noted.

Anna’s campaign

On Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement, Nayar noted that it had reminded him of the Jayaprakash movement. However, eventually, the government got the better of him. If Anna’s movement begins again under his leadership, it will aid in rejuvenating the democratic setup, Nayar said.

He felt that on the surface, democracy seems a government setup with many loopholes, but, with the help of educated citizens, the system can be made to work for the benefit of people.

The media also needs to revisit its concern towards society as the value is seemingly diluted in the present day functioning of the media, Nayar observed.
Nayar drew attention to the dangers of poverty, prominence to sub-castes, communalism and parochialism faced by democracy.

People’s faith stronger

However, he hoped that democracy would emerge stronger since its basic structure was still intact.

Despite the dangers, people’s faith in the ballot was still stronger, he added.
He said the voter today was exposed to many temptations. But even 65 years after getting independence, a third of the people were without food.