http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jul/08/kashmir.india
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/sep/30/ayodhya-verdict-hindus-muslims-india
Abstract
The paper offers the example of conflicts between Muslim and Hindus in India and what are the main conflicts in those issues. It looks into how the country and its people get affected because of those conflicts between Muslim and Hindus. The relation of mistrust between the two communities has left a deep mark on the political situation in India, and the problems are far from over as those fears and mistrust have only grown with time. The paper summarize articles on those conflicts and also looks at the possible solutions.
Introduction
Muslim-Hindu tension: Land riots bring down Kashmir coalition The article sheds light on the dispute between conflicting crowds of Muslims and Hindus in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, over several hectares of land in 2008. The Congress-led coalition government was not able to handle the growing dispute and with the resignation to the chief minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, the fears of Muslim separatist groups ganging a stronger foothold also manifested. With those disputes, the peaceful situation in Kashmir suffered a major setback and the state been lurched into a disaster once again.
The Muslim-dominated Kashmir valley saw hundreds and thousands of activists taking to streets after the government leased 40 hectares of land in forest to a Hindu religious authority, for aiming temporary facilities for the pilgrims traveling to Kashmir Himalayas every year to a popular temple of the Hindu god Shiva Introduction (Rahman, 2008). The land handover was perceived as anti-Islam by the Kashmiri Muslims. The land is a very delicate matter in Kashmir, and the forest land lease built distrust among the Muslims. The protests turned violent and left many dead and injured. Curfew was imposed in several areas.
Ayodhya verdict: Muslims and Hindus ordered to share religious site The destruction of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya almost two decades ago had sparked one of the worst religious riotings in India since independence. The disputed religious site in Ayodhya was given a ruling by Allahabad high court that the disputed religious site should be shared by both communities. The Muslim community was not allowed to rebuild the 16th-century mosque as such step would lead to a further split between Hindu and Muslim groups. This was seen as one of the most controversial judgments, and many were partly disappointed by the ruling. There were widespread fears that the ruling will spark violence, as chaotic scenes were seen to accompany the release of the judgment.
The government kept a close watch across the country, and thousands of troops and paramilitaries were employed to curb any violence. Thousands of people were arrested so as to prevent any violence. People entering temples were checked, and there was a ban placed on bulk texting that could incite violence. Police and security personnel were especially deployed in sensitive states such as Mumbai and Hyderabad (Burke, 2010). Religious processions and meetings were barred, and liquor shops remained closed. What made the situation even tenser was that there were only three days left for Commonwealth Games in Delhi that is just about 350 miles from Ayodhya.
Both these articles point to the Hindu-Muslim rivalry in India and the growing mistrust. India has long seen religious tensions not only between Hindus and Muslims but also Christians and other sects. When the country gained independence from the British colony, there were significant, religious conflicts between the Hindus and Muslims with the formation of new states of India and Pakistan. Needless to say, it is the innocent people who have been affected and suffered over the years over the rivalries between the two religions.
It seems that India is still plagued by the enmity between religions and continues to suffer. What add to the problems are the lower literacy rate and poverty. Conflicts over Kashmir with Pakistan have never been over. The situation is certainly grim, and there are no fast and easy solutions here. It will take years of concerted efforts on both sides, aided with education and building of trust that can improve the situation. Both Muslims and Hindus have suffered because of the rivalries and conflicts. The politicians have not handled the situation wisely, and they will need to put in serious and honest efforts to allay those fears and suspicions that lurk between the Hindus and Muslims.
References
Burke, J. (2010). Ayodhya verdict: Muslims and Hindus ordered to share religious site. Retrieved July 9, 2015, from http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/sep/30/ayodhya-verdict-hindus-muslims-indiaRahman, M. (2008). Muslim-Hindu tension: Land riots bring down Kashmir coalition. Retrieved July 9, 2015, from http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jul/08/kashmir.india
