M D Nalapat
Although
romantics stress the “closeness” between India and Pakistan (especially
when they go armed with candles to the Wagah border crossing),the
reality is that the two countries have evolved on entirely different
trajectories. For the people of Pakistan, the special privileges given
to those professing themselves to be Muslim are as natural as they are
in Saudi Arabia.In India, the laws mandate that all religions should be
treated equally. However, because of the effort of Prime Minister
Jawaharlal Nehru to make Muslims feel secure in India after the
bloodbath that followed partition, the minorities have been given
privileges denied to the majority (Hindu) community. For example,schools
and other educational institutions run by minority owners are exempted
from most of the severe laws that are applied on those run by Hindus.
And while almost all big Hindu temples are (mis)run by the government,
the religious institutions of Christians and Muslims are free of state
control.There would be an outcry if the many beautiful mosques and
churches of India were to come under bureaucratic control,the way Hindu
temples are.Interestingly,even while the so-called “Hindu” BJP was in
power ( 1998-2004),it did nothing to free temples from state
control.Clearly,the advantages of having wealthy temples firmly in the
government grip outweighed the pull of ideology.In India,’Sabse Bada
Rupaiya”. Money trumps all.
However,the advantages given to the minorities and the equality of status they enjoy in India are a far cry from the privileged position of Muslims in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, two countries that are increasingly being linked together by a common socio-religious culture. When Muslims from India go to locations such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and see the way the faith they love has been given a privileged status in these two countries (as indeed,in Malaysia and in the entire GCC Group), some get upset that a similar high pedestal is not provided for them in India. However, most are happy at being part of a secular society, although this makes them different from the populations of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan,two religious states where a single faith rules. However,the difference between India and Pakistan excludes the economic elite. Those who are super-rich are the same in any part of the globe. They drink the same brands of alchohol and favour London and Paris as holiday destinations rather than Shimla or Murree. When they meet each other,their common values ( centred around their money) ensure smooth interaction. So while there are huge differences between an average Pakistani and an average Indian,there is almost no difference between a super-rich Pakistani and a super-rich Indian. Such closeness gives an illusion that the entire society is similar,when in fact it is not.
