Link language not given serious thought: George

Writer T J S George said the absence of a link language among the people of various states and ethnicities would become a major problem in future, but nobody has taken it seriously.

Addressing students of Maharani’s Arts College for Women at an interactive session organised by the English and Journalism Departments here, on Thursday, he said while English is being discouraged by the people in North India, Hindi is attracting more and more hatred by the people in South India. “Thus, neither English nor Hindi will be a link language between North India and South India,” he said in reply to a question by a student.

Earlier, he said it is unfortunate that a person is pre-judged on the basis of one’s name, caste and religion. “People are free to have their independent personalities and ideologies. But people jump into conclusions once they hear one’s name,” he remarked.

Five historical divisions

Recalling the history of Independent India, George said it can be categorised in divisions — the golden age, twilight years, dynastification and religion in politics.

“The first decade marked the emergence of creativity in all fields, such as art, culture, music, cinema, literature, science, etc. The second decade marked the humiliating defeat at the hands of China in a war and the death of Jawaharlal Nehru,” he said.

“The third chapter of dynastification began as early as 1966 with Indira Gandhi becoming prime minister. She believed that she had the right to rule us because she was the daughter of Nehru. With this, began, what has grown into dynastic politics in all parties,” he remarked.

George said while the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty is into the fifth generation and is inching towards the sixth one, other dynasties are competing with each other to be in power. “The political leaders think that their family members, their spare wives and even girlfriends have the right to become ministers,” he
said.

In the era of dynastification, the entry of Sanjay Gandhi led to the glorification of dynastification. If the nation feared Indira Gandhi, she herself feared Sanjay.”

“The Emergency was a blot in democracy. Young people should study the Emergency. Otherwise, they will not understand the importance of democracy,” he added.

“In the current ear of ‘Religion in Politics’, God is exploited for power. One should understand that God does not have a religion until named. Once God is named, the war beings in his or her name. While religion uses God, God has nothing to do with religion. Faith based on reason is rational. But in recent times, faith forbids reason which is a worrisome trend,” he said.

“Politicians promote communalism for their benefit. When untoward incidents happen in the name of faith, those in power do not take action, giving the impression that they support the trouble-makers.”

“While Hinduism is a way of thinking and philosophy, Hindutva is a manufactured concept for ulterior motives. If all Hindus in India support Hindutva, only such parties would have ruled India. If other parties have ruled the nation so far, one should understand that all Hindus do not subscribe to Hindutva,” George said.

In reply to a question on the entry of women of all ages to Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, George said equality for women is required at several places and sectors. “At many temples, men are not allowed. Do we question them? They are traditions and related to faith. One should not disturb them. Issues should not be raised for the sake of controversies,” he said.

Assistant Professor S G Raghavendra, principal C H Prakash, Prof Geetha Gangadharan, Literary Club Secretary K M Revathi, several students and staffers of the college took part in the programme.