Diversity: Boon or Bane??

We are diverse; we are diverse and not just in one way. We are diverse and not just by class. The source of disparity in India has to be placed within a bigger picture that includes other divisive influences: gender,language, religion, caste, region, community and so on.

India is perennialy hierarchical unlike instinctively even handed West. The right word for India's social/cultural/political/economical asymmetry is Inequality, inequality resulting in Instability, a large scale instability.

Some Indians are rich; most are not. Some are very well educated; others are illiterate. Some lead easy lives of luxury; others toil hard for little reward. Some are politically powerful; others cannot influence anything. Some have great opportunities for advancement in life; others lack them altogether. Some are treated with respect by the police; others are treated like dirt. For the same work, some get rewards and recognitions; others dont even get appreciations. To be laconic, we are citizens of a country which is diverse, and diverse in each and every respect.

This post is the result of the recent series of unfortunate events (communal clashes) in Jammu & Kashmir and Orissa which has led to incessant debate and disputations throughout the nation. I got a chance to attend an International Peace Conference four years ago. The embedded video is an excerpt from the debate on the topic "Similarities between Hinduism and Islam".

The violence in the name of religion/caste etc is the biggest threat to a democracy. This not only deeply impairs the economic, social and political progress of the country but also make the citizens feel insecured in there own country.

"Bachpan se hamne sikha bas ek hi gaan,
Mera Bharat, pyara Bharat, apna Bharat mahan.

Looto mandir, todo masjid, le lo sabki jaan,
Dharm huya aaj desh se bada, Dharm pe sab kurbaan".