Embracing Unity for India's Progress: A Call for a Collective Vision beyond Divisions

By Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam 2 December 2024 Main Points 1. The Importance of National Unity: A true "developed" country ensures equality, justice, and unity among its people, regardless of religious, caste, or creed differences. For India to rise to its full potential, we must prioritize the collective well-being of its citizens and not let divisions weaken the nation’s strength. 2. India must move beyond the politics of religion and division. While individual religious beliefs are personal, our shared identity as Indians must come first. Unity, transcending religious and cultural differences, is essential for achieving the nation’s goals and securing a prosperous, peaceful future. … In today's world, corruption seems to have infiltrated every corner of society. Humanity has descended into a state where the shedding of blood, the taking of innocent lives, has become disturbingly easy. Rights are violated in such a clever, almost invisible manner that it is difficult to discern the injustice until it’s too late. As a result, those born into this world are no longer afforded the luxury of contemplating the deeper purpose of their existence. The pursuit of materialism, the grip of religious fanaticism, the spread of xenophobia, and the enslavement of human minds in the name of progress have obscured our vision of what truly matters. The burden of historical injustices, oppression, cunning, and deep-rooted hatred now weighs heavily on our collective conscience. This has fostered an inherently biased attitude among us, leaving little room for empathy, compassion, and understanding. Today, even the common person is unsettled by the endless cycle of violence and turmoil happening around the world. News of killings and conflict fills our daily lives, distorting our sense of reality and humanity. In a world of such chaos, it becomes even more crucial for us to maintain a light of divine love, one that illuminates our hearts with softness, sympathy, mercy, and compassion. A Call for Spiritual Awakening From a spiritual perspective, it is essential to ask ourselves: what is the true meaning of a "developed" country? A developed country, when examined from the standpoint of justice, shows that it has provided fair treatment to all its citizens, regardless of their religion, caste, or creed. The unity of its people—based on their shared commitment to human dignity and equality—becomes the foundation of its prosperity. These nations, by and large, have succeeded because they do not allow the divide of external differences to hinder the collective well-being of their people. In contrast, when we look at India, the land known as "Bharat-Maata, or Hindustan" a country of immense cultural wealth and history, we find ourselves grappling with a different reality. Why is it that India is not considered the most developed country in the world? Why does a land so rich in spiritual tradition and human potential not rank higher in the competitive global landscape? Upon reflection, the answer becomes painfully clear: the rift between our people is too wide. We have developed animosity, prejudice, and division along religious lines—Hindus vs. Muslims, and so on. These divisions cloud our vision and prevent us from focusing on what is truly important: the well-being of our future generations. The Dangers of Division and Distraction The tragic truth is that we have become so entangled in these divisive ideologies that we no longer have the time or the energy to focus on the pressing issues of our nation. Our youth, our future, are lost in the noise of political and religious slogans, disconnected from their potential and driven by the distractions of the internet and social media. Instead of cultivating minds capable of critical thinking, innovation, and empathy, we are producing individuals who are more robotic than human, more consumed by inhuman acts than by kindness and compassion. We must ask ourselves: What kind of nation are we building? Where are we heading? If we do not break free from these shackles of division, we will continue to squander the potential of an entire generation. The progress of India, both as a nation and as a society, lies not in political power, religious identity, or even material wealth, but in the unity of its people. A Vision for the Future: Unity above All It is high time that we rethink our approach to progress. True progress is not simply about economic growth or technological advancements—it is about the development of a society where every individual, regardless of their faith or background, is treated with respect and dignity. It is about an education system that nurtures the intellect as much as it nurtures the soul, one that integrates science, technology, and intellectual education with values of empathy, compassion, and unity. For India to truly advance on the world stage, we must leave behind the politics of religion. Religion, while important to each individual, must remain a personal matter, separate from the national discourse. Our identity as Indians, united by a common vision of justice, peace, and progress, must come first. If we are not united, if we allow ourselves to be divided by the very things that should bind us, we will never realize the full potential of our great nation. Sometimes, I wear a Kurta and Pajama with a cap, a traditional attire of India that identifies me as a Muslim. At other times, I choose to wear pants and a shirt, simply as a matter of personal preference. This is my personal choice, a right granted to me by my country, and I am deeply proud of that freedom. However, when I turn my focus to national issues, I realize that my religious identity must remain a personal matter. It is essential for me, and for all of us, to prioritize the greater good of our country. At this moment, I believe our nation needs unity among all its citizens, and we must avoid letting our differences divide us. We must not allow these divisions to weaken the strength of our collective unity. At this time, we are hearing and reading about numerous conflicts centred on religious sites and religious slogans—issues that seem to be taking on a new and more divisive form. However, all of these conflicts are only serving to deepen the rooted hatred and animosity among us, while simultaneously disheartening the vast majority of Indians who yearn for peace and harmony. In conclusion, the path to true development—be it spiritual, social, or economic—lies in our ability to put aside our differences which weaken us as Indians and work towards a common goal. India must evolve into a nation where unity transcends religion, caste, and creed. Only then will we achieve the progress we have always dreamed of. We must remember that a nation is only as strong as the compassion and unity of its people. Let us move forward, together, in peace and in purpose. We must focus on the progress of our country, which requires not only religious education but also scientific, technological, and intellectual growth. We need to move beyond the divisive narratives and slogans that create the false impression that "we are not united Indians." Unity is the cornerstone of our strength, and without it, we cannot truly be one nation. To achieve this, we must set aside the politics of religion, religious places, and religious ideologies. First and foremost, we must recognize that we are Indians, and while our religions are deeply personal and reflect our individual beliefs, our national identity transcends them. Our bond as citizens of India must take precedence over all other divisions. --- A regular Columnist with NewAgeIslam.com, Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi Dehlvi is a Classical Islamic scholar with a rich Sufi Madrasa background and expertise in English-Arabic-Urdu translation. Throughout his career, he has emerged as a prominent figure in the realm of Islamic scholarship, consistently contributing valuable insights and analysis on a wide range of crucial topics. Through his regular writings, he has delved into multifaceted subjects, including but not limited to deradicalisation strategies, the promotion of moderation within Islamic teachings, counter-terrorism efforts, and the vital mission of combating Islamophobia. Moreover, he extensively addresses the urgent need to challenge radical ideologies through well-reasoned arguments and scholarly discourse. Beyond these critical issues, his work also encompasses in-depth discussions on human rights principles, the significance of safeguarding religious rights, and the profound exploration of Islamic mysticism. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/unity-india-progress-collective-vision-divisions/d/133895 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism