Religion and politics, a deadly cocktail

The 12th century story of Thomas Becket, Chancellor of England and Archbishop of Canterbury, teaches a valuable lesson even today. An ambitious king appoints his favourite courtier to these two important posts which controlled affairs of state as well as those of the church. He did so in the fond hope that he could use one to control the other.

But, he was sadly mistaken. As the chancellor of England, Becket gave his wholehearted support to the monarch in all matters. But, as an archdeacon, his primary allegiance was to the Church where he decided to uphold “the honour of God” at the cost of defying his king. Thereby hangs a tale. And, a tragic one at that. 

History has taught us again and again that politics and religion do not mix well. Statesmanship and religion will do so even less. When combined, they become inflammatory. Far from doing good, they can break a nation. Ironically, the largest democracy in the world has not learned its lessons from history.

When the leader of such a democracy takes his place next to a god man or rather, a cult leader, on the banks of a river in a mega show hosting 36,000 artists on the “world’s largest stage,” and declares “this is the Kumbh Mela of culture” what are we to make out of it?

Apart from the ecological costs – the event was held on the fragile flood plains of the Yamuna river – it has sent a wrong message to the people of this country. A message implying that the government is swayed by articles of faith rather than those of reason.

As an individual, the head of state can profess to any faith or loyalty or religion. But in his official capacity, he has to set these aside for obvious reasons. It was improper, to say the least, for the prime minister to display his spiritual leanings on a public platform. It was politically incorrect too.

And, to state that the whole world will now understand India better because of its god men is ridiculous when savants like Vivekananda revealed India’s moral and spiritual strength to all nations a hundred years ago.

As Gary Cutting, professor of Philosophy in the University of Notre Dame observes, religion concerns the private sphere while political life concerns the public sphere. Time that our politicians understood this profound philosophy.

Many countries have ignored such wisdom. In America, for example, even though the Constitution strictly prohibits religious requirements for those who seek public office, its presidential candidates openly flaunt their religious affiliations. In the United Kingdom, religion has dominated politics for over a thousand years, resulting in conflicts that have even ended in bloody wars.

Yet, its conservative prime minister recently declared that Christianity could transform the moral state of Britain “or even the whole world.” That may be his personal belief. But, coming from the head of a state, it was again an unnecessary and improper remark.

Sitting on a tinderbox

In India, we are always sitting on a tinderbox that is waiting to explode. What with our one billion plus population with its myriad religious beliefs, added to an unpredictable political environment, the slightest hint of religious controversy can lead to discord – sometimes even to a deadly riot.

The state may have officially recognised only Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity and Zoroastrianism by bestowing minority status on them. But, there are countless other creeds, beliefs and faiths that have to be considered.

Politicians cannot promote one or the other without creating unnecessary resentment. Even better, politicians should leave gods and god men alone. They have no place in the country’s governance.

Fortunately, we have a leader who had not associated with them publicly as his predecessors had done. It would be good if he continued to distance himself from any religious/ spiritual group. It would also help if spiritual leaders of all faiths confined themselves to the activities of their respective places of worship.

Finally, if politicians must visit temples and ashrams to “seek blessings” of gurus and holy men, let them do it privately, and not with official fanfare. Our own troubled history of the last 100 years should remind them of the havoc caused by those who played on religious sentiments to divide the country.

The year 1947 and its aftermath cannot be repeated especially when religious communities today are living peacefully with each other. These communities have lived in harmony for hundreds of years except when politicians meddled with them for political expediency.

To quote an example, I have just received an invitation from Srirangam - that citadel of Srivaishnavism – for the 17th shraddhanjali ceremony of Sheik Chinna Moulana, the celebrated nadhaswaram player who was also the appointed  Asthaana Vidwan of Sri Ranganathaswamy temple there.  If this is not religious tolerance, what else is?