Gist of Pew Report ; Live and Let Others Live in Peace

Everyone seems to be discussing the Pew report to justify its own stand, to an extent even some media channels devoted almost an hour discussing it inorder to justify their stand, that Muslims are safe here.

This study was funded by Pew Charities trust and John Templeton foundation . The survey was carried out in India covering all states , interviewing some 30000 people from all parts of India in 17 languages leaving two NE States due to covid situation. The survey was carried out with a purpose to understand the Indians’ view of religion and how it impacts the society etc.

They have carried out such surveys in Africa, USA, Europe, Israel etc.

When we all individually have our own world view , its interesting to learn about others as well. This may also help in breaking some stereotype views that we have about other communities. Lets have a look at the salient aspects of the entire report.

1. All Indians irrespective of their religious faiths view that Religious Tolerance is the essence of being Indian and they are proud of this INDIAN VALUE.
2. Majority Hindus, Muslims , Sikhs and other communities feel that they have freedom to practice their religion here.
3. Majority Indians want to continue to live separately in their own communities rather than interacting or developing close relations and friendship with other religious communities. Almost two third Hindus, Muslims , Sikhs and other religious communities want Inter religion marriages to be stopped.
4. In General, majority Indians feel that their Religion is different from other Religions. However two third Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs feel they have much in common with the majority religion.
5. Majority of Indians irrespective of religious faith feel that India has a unique culture of Tolerance which they cherish and it is the best culture.
6. A large percentage of Indian muslims have different views on many aspects of their own religion rather then like a Pakistani or Bangladeshi Muslim. In simpler words ; Indian Muslims are different than their counterparts in Pakistan or Bangladesh.
7. Majority Hindus believe in the Principle of Karma and even Indian Muslims have a similar percentage who believe in this principle of Karma.
8. Majority Hindus see their religious identity and Indian national identity as closely intertwined. Most Hindus also link this issue of Nationalism with Hindi. However, this percentage slides down drastically in South and North East, barely 5 and 19 percent, who feel that Nationalism has anything to do with Hindi and being Hindu. There is hence a large regional divide over the issue of Nationalism, Hindu and Hindi. Point to be Noted by North Indians.
9. Majority Hindus( including those who even link Nationalism with Religion and Hindi), Muslims and other religious communities are of the opinion that DIVERSITY HELPS THE SOCIETY.
10. Majority Muslims, almost 95% feel Pride in being Indians and say Indian culture is the best. 85% Muslims agree with a statement that ; Indian people are not perfect but Indian culture is superior to others.

When we observe these aspects in totality we find some of them are contradictory which create a fault line.

For instance ;

We all i.e. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians etc cherish this value of Religious tolerance but want to live separately and prefer to live in segregated religious spheres. In other words concept of religious tolerance does not necessarily mean MIXING UP . The Indians want it to be like a PATCH WORK Fabric rather than a melting pot of Religious identities.

So, when Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains etc prefer to have a society where religious group identities are clearly defined and at the same time there should be - Tolerance, Unity, there is also a large percentage of Hindus particulalry in North and Central India who feel that National identity is based on Religion and Language.

In simpler words, does it not imply that ; LIVING TOGETHER BUT SEPERATELY AND UNDER SOME SORT OF HEGEMONY.

Living in these water tight compartments is not good for the well being of society because such a situation is always detrimental to peace, amity and development.

However, when a society is more interested in ELECTIONS, VOTES and acquiring POWER, how it comes, is not of any consequence, it may only harm its cause in the long run..

How Long this paradox can continue successfully? Can we overcome these Contradictions? God only Knows. But ONE THING that is good for the society is ; WE ALL BELIEVE IN ; LIVE & LET OTHERS ALSO LIVE IN PEACE.