Look beyond what you see....

The last few months, we have been bombarded with many discussions in print, and visual media on a series of issues that are affecting our nation. If you are like me, detached physically from all these but engaged mentally and emotionally, one gets caught in the visible and the audible – what is seen and heard. The voices are loud, the writings are prolific, the visual images are powerful and one allows himself or herself to be caught in the “profoundness” of these media circuses! And lose ability to “look beyond what you see”, or “listen beyond what you hear”.  But it is important at times to fast from these loud and impacting media cacophony, to reflect and ask, what is beyond the visible and audible.

Nationalism is one such discussion. The words “Nationalism” and “Patriotism” and other similar words have been dissected so much that one is not any more sure who a Nationalist or Patriot is. Each power group decides on the definition which suits them and then label the rest as non-nationalistic or at times anti nationalistic. And these definitions generally are based perceptions and world views, and understanding of the history, which itself we in our country agree to disagree. Issues like what you eat, what you wear, what slogan you shall say, are more important today. But in the midst of all these discussion one never or rather seldom hear the discussion on who or what makes a Nation a nation. It is not the boundaries or the maps, but the people in the nation which makes a nation a nation. When structures overtake the people for whom the structures were set up for, we are in for trouble. When powers that be, who are in charge of the structures allow violence to happen against people for whom the structures were set up for….,

When justice mercy for the people of the nation is forgotten and structures of nation is taken up with all passion….

I am reminded of a verse from NT - Woe to you, ……. hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!....

The other has been rights of certain communities and groups. There has been violent protests and destruction of national property, for the sake of their perceived rights. Since violence has been allowed in the pretext of Nationalism, what prevents any group from following a pattern which has had official approval by silence, even if it is not for a National issue! Your communities’ entitlements, or rights are seen as supreme, and one is willing to destroy and abuse status, position or power, to get your entitlements and or rights. And the powers that be, give in, because the support of these groups are key for them – to keep the National structures tight. But one forgets that, in this fight for rights and entitlements, when you get your rights, some one else’s rights are violated. Values are set aside for the sake of rights.

When values are forgotten for the sake of rights and entitlements, and when your rights are closely linked to others rights and entitlements….

Yet another has been the issue of religion. We were brought up in various religions, with the understanding that, the religion you follow comes with a responsibility. The religion also comes with expectation of a respectful relationship with people of other religions. The responsibility for caring for your nation, the creation and your neighbour was part of my religious teaching. Though I might believe that my religion is the only way, that did not prevent me from loving every one equally, and living peaceful lives. But the context is fast changing. Religion is being used to support the powers that are in control, the consolidation of popular power, support the so called nationalistic structures.

When religion becomes a tool in the hands of the powers to consolidate power instead of being an inner force to build and care for our nation and its people…..

A much commonly talked about issue is development. Development is understood generally economic development. And we are expected to align ourselves to this new mantra of development where economic growth is seen as the ultimate end, as an end in itself? Anything and everything can be allowed for the sake of building economy. And any one’s rights can be taken off, for the sake of this greater good of GDP. Anyone who questions this can be labelled against the greater good, because not many understand the greater good any way. Communities and people groups are dis-empowered for the greater good – the growth of the economy….

When money and economic growth takes the priority without recognising the need to address deeper issues of lack of equity, dis-empowerment, injustice, marginalization…. when money rules ones thinking….

What are roots of these issues – whether it is Nationalism, rights of groups, organized religion or corporate economy…..it is all about “identity” “self” and “power”. The National or group identity which gives you significance. The organized religion which gives you power, the money which gives you power and identity. And the larger “self” of the individual, group or the Nation, as the underlying factor… my nation, my rights, my religion and my economy…..

The God who gave up his life on Good Friday, give up his life for the greater good of humanity. He put values before his rights, he stood against the power of organized religion for the sake of redeeming and empowering people and paid the price for the same. He put people before money and structures….

How shall we then engage…?