Beyond the Divide: A Bangalore Story for a United India
A Meditation
Before I begin, here is a disclaimer: In the following paragraphs, I will generalize and exaggerate certain aspects of the phenomenon I've observed. This is purely to illustrate a point. Indeed, there are exceptions and counter-examples, but the more significant phenomenon still holds true, as evidenced by the facts on the ground - the businesses, the predominant religious sensibilities, the infrastructure, and so on, all reflective of the divides I will lay out.
Growing up in Bangalore in the 80s and 90s, I inhabited a world of stark contrasts. Our vibrant, multicultural city was a mosaic but also a place divided. Yet, this story is not unique to Bangalore. Across the vast Indian landscape, cities and towns are often predominated by certain religious groups, ethnic communities, and cultural identities. Bangalore serves as an emblematic example of these distinctive characteristics, a microcosm of the vibrant mosaic that makes up our nation's cultural landscape.
In the north and northeast parts of the city, a different Bangalore thrived. It was a cosmopolitan oasis where the legacy of the British Raj lived on in the architecture, the street names, the neighborhoods, and the very fabric of cultural life. Here, pubs and discotheques pulsed with energy late into the night. Bastions of cultural exchange, like Max Mueller Bhavan, the British Council Library, and Alliance Francaise, stood as beacons of a more liberal sensibility. English was the lingua franca, a spoken form of the language that was peppered occasionally with profanity. Meat was a common fixture on the menus of restaurants and eateries.
But journey to the south side of the city, as I did when I began my engineering studies, and one was transported to a different realm. The air hummed with a predominantly Hindu-centric energy. Streets and neighborhoods bore names steeped in religious significance. Vegetarian restaurants abounded, as did temples, religious trusts, and schools where the curriculum was infused with Hinduism, and Sanskrit was taught alongside math and science. Kannada supplanted English in everyday conversation.
As a young person, I accepted this duality as simply the way things were. Different people, different proclivities. Live and let live. My own family straddled this divide - my father, despite having friends of various faiths, would passionately defend Hindu politicians and ideals, while my mother maintained a more secular outlook. Their contrasting perspectives colored and textured my worldview in nuanced ways, shaping my understanding of the complexities that define our society.
Against this backdrop of a city divided, the 90s brought a whirlwind of change as liberalization flung open the doors to Western influence. MTV, 24-hour English movie channels, FTV, malls, and fashion - a dizzying array of new cultural touchstones suddenly flooded the lives of a generation of youth, even as they navigated the traditional divisions of their city. For me, this exposure to diverse influences, both within Bangalore and beyond, was nothing short of transformative. Friends from Muslim and Christian neighborhoods, Rwanda, North India, and the US contributed to shaping my increasingly cosmopolitan worldview. Even as I pursued the academic excellence prized by the Hindu community, I became increasingly drawn to a secular outlook. However, as time passed, I gradually came to realize that this secular perspective placed me in the minority.
As I grew older, I was confronted with a harsh reality that stood in stark contrast to my youthful idealism. The world, I came to understand, was far more complex and divided than I had initially believed. My once unshakeable conviction that everyone shared my worldview was gradually eroded by the realization that my perspective was but one among countless others. This sobering truth forced me to grapple with the deep-seated differences that shape the way individuals perceive and navigate the world around them. It was a testament to the powerful and often contradictory forces that mold each person's unique outlook – the intricate web of experiences, beliefs, and cultural influences that define our understanding of reality. Coming to terms with this multifaceted nature of human perspective was a jarring but necessary step in my journey towards a more nuanced understanding of the world and my place within it.
Despite the harmonious coexistence of diverse communities, the undercurrents of division persisted beneath the surface. However, post-2014, with the rise of a Hindu nationalist political party, these once-subtle fault lines have been magnified and brought to the forefront. The previously muted Hindu nationalist agenda now resounds loudly, calling for adherence to a conservative, mono-cultural vision of India. Interfaith relationships, once celebrated as a testament to our unity in diversity, now find themselves under increased scrutiny as multiculturalism faces a wave of opposition. The rich, varied fabric of our nation, woven from countless cultural threads, is now confronted by forces seeking to impose a singular, homogeneous identity. Yet, even in the face of these challenges, the spirit of harmony and coexistence that has long characterized our society continues to endure, a reminder of the resilience and strength of our diverse communities.
However, an interesting nuance emerges in this picture. The voters who propelled this nationalist party to power came from all faiths and backgrounds [1]. The promise of a prosperous, decisive government, ready to clean house and usher in a new era of growth, proved enticing to a wide swath of the electorate. Friends and relatives echoed this sentiment, expressing their readiness for change after years of waiting for a government that could deliver. The overwhelming majority that the nationalist party secured in the elections suggests that, perhaps, people were not as religiously intoxicated or divided as it might seem. Instead, it points to a collective yearning for prosperity and a better life, transcending religious boundaries. This realization offers a glimmer of hope - a reminder that, despite the forces of division, there remains a common ground where all Indians can come together in the pursuit of a brighter future.
As a nation, we find ourselves at a crossroads. The threads that once bound us together now fray under the strain of false narratives and the machinations of those who would seek to divide us for their own gain. Yet, even in the face of these challenges, we must remember the true essence of what it means to be Indian. Ours is a culture that has always celebrated diversity, that has found strength in the myriad traditions and beliefs that make up our vibrant mosaic of a country. It is this spirit of unity, this embrace of our differences, that has allowed us to weather countless storms throughout our history.
As we navigate the path forward, let us draw upon the wisdom of our ancestors. Let us remember that our true strength lies not in uniformity but in the beautiful mosaic of our diversity. We must rise above the pettiness of division and recognize that our shared humanity is far greater than any differences we may perceive. In my own life, I have seen the power of this truth firsthand. From my marriage to a Catholic American and my integration into a Midwestern household, to my enduring friendships with people across the cultural and religious spectrum, to my long career in a foreign land working alongside engineers from varied ethnicities and nationalities, to the diverse voices I feature on my Idea Sandbox Podcast - each of these experiences has reaffirmed my belief in the possibility of coexistence, of finding unity in diversity. It is a belief that is woven into the very fabric of our nation, a truth that has guided us through the ages. And it is a truth that we must hold fast to now, more than ever.
As we move forward, let us draw strength from the lessons of our past. Throughout our history, India has been a beacon of spirituality, a land where the great religions of the world have coexisted in harmony. We have been known for our liberal, broad-minded, and open-minded approach to life, embracing the diversity of human experience with open arms. It is this spirit of inclusivity, this recognition of our shared humanity, that has allowed us to thrive as a civilization.
Today, as we face the challenges of a rapidly changing world, it is more important than ever that we hold fast to these values. We must resist the siren call of divisiveness and work tirelessly to weave a fabric of unity from the diverse threads of our nation. It will not always be easy, but it is a task we must undertake with unwavering dedication. For in the end, it is our ability to find common ground, to celebrate our differences while recognizing the fundamental humanity that binds us all, that will determine the course of our future.
India has always been a land of great potential, a nation whose destiny is intertwined with the fate of the world. By embracing our diversity by rising above the forces that would seek to divide us, we can tap into that potential and build a brighter tomorrow for all. It is a vision that is within our reach, if only we have the courage and the wisdom to pursue it.
Love and Peace.
The Curious Nobody (tisb.world)