The task before
the young Asian Humanists
By
Hiranya Raj Uprety
Religious wars
and caste-based hierarchism are at the peak in Asian nations. The religious
conflicts emerge at any time so frequently in this part of the world that
it is never predictable. The morally degraded politicians for their stake
create the conflict and I am doubly sure they are reaping sumptuously from
it.
The Hindu sections of the people both in India and Nepal have a rigid hierarchy
based on caste system.
The Brahmins
are at the top of the strata followed by Chhetris and then Vaisas and then
Sudras. The Sudras are considered to be untouchables. In the earlier years,
the Sudras had to walk with bells hung at the neck. Whenever a Brahmin hears
a bell of Sudra, he immediately used to pass orders and the Sudra had to follow
other way which is lower in altitude/ gradient then the path taken by that
Brahmin. The Sudras were also not allowed to walk on the road above the house
of a Brahmin. Even today, it is frequently heard about the Sudras being beaten
by the higher castes for touching tube wells. In remote areas even today the
Sudras have to wash the plates and cups after eating in the public hotels.
When a higher caste group beats a Sudra then he will not get justice anywhere
because the government portfolios holder including the police department is
occupied by higher castes.
Blinded by the religious beliefs and feelings, the people of this region have
a strong faith in god, ghost and witchcrafts. Almost everyday in one place
or the other, women are being harassed either by beating or by making them
to eat human excreta for possessing witchcraft power. Women who are acquiesced
of witchcraft are usually shabby type looking because of poverty and illiteracy.
Religion on the other hand has further worked as a handy tool for suppressing
the already suppressed female in the patriarchal society. The suppression
is in the form of excessive priority to son over the daughter. A son is considered
a security, survival, a rescue mission leader, hereditary keeper and a future
builder. It is believed that after the death of parents the son will rescue
the parents' soul through religious rites and rituals even if the soul has
landed in the hell. The word "Putra" meaning 'son' is composed of
two words; Pu meaning 'ocean' and Tra meaning 'cross'. A son (it is believed)
will make the soul of parents cross the ocean of difficulties in hell after
their death through religious rites. Dowry system is prevalent in the societies
of India and Nepal. In this system, the parents of the bride will have to
pay a huge sum of money and materials to the bridegroom. There are many events
where the wife is either beaten too badly or even sometimes killed when she
fails to bring property from her parents' home.
The refugees in Asia are mainly victims of religious dogmatism. One of the
burning examples is the case of Bhutanese Refugees. Bhutan is also called
a Buddhists kingdom. The southern part of this country is inhabited by non-Buddhists.
These Non-Buddhists were forced to follow the culture of Buddhism including
the dress code. When the people opposed the senseless policy of the government,
they were forced to leave their country. These people are now refugees and
are on asylum in Nepal. The two government of Nepal and Bhutan, a Buddhist
and a Hindu Kingdom (Nepal has declared itself a Hindu Kingdom in the constitution
despite the multiethnic and multilingual kingdom) started dividing the refugees
and have been divided into four categories; but majorly into Bhutanese and
Non-Bhutanese.
The government of India has allowed formation of religious military groups
especially of Hindu sects. The example is Shiv-Sena lead by a politician "Bal
Thakrey". This Shiv-Sena is a religious military group whose primary
target is to fight and suppress other religions or opposing beliefs. The Babri-Masjid
episode in India that took the life of thousands is still fresh in our memories;
this was a politically motivated religious conflict between Hindus and Muslims.
The Indo-Pak War is a religious war between Hindus and Muslims. Two of the
devastating wars fought at the border of India and Pakistan were both religiously
motivated. The civil war in Sri-lanka is a racial war between the Tamils and
Sinhalese. This war has catastrophically marred any meaningful development
in the area. The bloody war has taken the life of so many people, created
instability and peace looks to be lost forever.
Conclusively, religion has proved to be the opium of the oppressed. Man kills man in the name of god. The notion of god (I have come to realize) is a fictive creation of wealthy people in order to dominate the poor. What the Asian nations need now is a larger section of people who would believe in Humanism that stands for justice, peace, prosperity and harmony that together will bring meaningful progress in the life of all. This is the task before an average young Asian Humanist. We are sure it will not be easy but we shall try our best to rid Asia of unproductive beliefs and align with those who share the Beneficial Humanistic principles.