What a profound slogan—“Batengey to Katengey”—to rally India towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. However, if the current communal situation in various states is any indication, coupled with the rise of populist measures as the sole mantra to win elections, and with winning elections becoming the ultimate goal of millions of supporters, the future seems precarious.
It wouldn’t be surprising if whole India finds itself engulfed in crises similar to the conflict that is as of now restricted to just Manipur as early as 2027. Many may dismiss such concerns now, but history has shown us how often we fail to foresee the consequences of divisive ideologies/politics.
- When Hitler spread hatred, none of his die hard supporters could anticipate the horrors and the destruction that would follow.
- When Indira Gandhi nurtured Bhindranwale for political gains, the seeds of strife were sown.
- When Bhindranwale incited communal hatred, none could foresee, what that would mean for Punjab.
- When Kashmiri fundamentalists threatened their Pandit neighbors, they could not forsee the misery it would cause to Muslims as well.
- When Jinnah divided the nation on the basis of religion, it not only left scars that persist to this day but also led Pakistan on a road of religious fundamentalism and destruction.
- When Pakistan called its jihadists "strategic assets," it created a legacy of violence.
- When Saddam Hussein oppressed minorities, it destabilized an entire region from which Iraq has still not been able to come out.
- When the judiciary succumbing to political pressures in Manipur directed the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribes list, the Learned Judges could not foresee the unrest, their Judgement would cause.
- When that sage wrote the Purusha sukta in Rig Ved , Mandala 10 , sukt 90, announcing that The Brahmanas were His(Purusah, the Universal Being) Mouth, the Kshatriyas became His Arms, The Vaishyas were His Thighs, and the Shudras were assigned to His Feet. Little he foresaw that this will cause immense damage to the social fabric and divide the society and its repercussions will be felt even after thousands of years, to an extent that the society may even lose its freedom. No amount of justification can undo the damage now.
The slogan “Batengey to Katengey” carries a similar dangerous potential to lead society astray, fostering divisions instead of unity. If we are not vigilant, the pursuit of short-term goals and narrow interests may push us further away from the vision of a harmonious and developed India.