Thankfully, this year Nuh Shobha Yatra concluded peacefully amid an internet ban and tight security. Last year, when communal clashes took place during the procession, I was in Gurugram with my son. Tension spread through several districts of South Haryana, including Gurugram, impacting the life of everyone, rich and poor, belonging to all the communities. Living in an upscale gated residential society, we were under no threat, but fear of another kind gripped us. As the tension spread, shops closed down, home delivery was suspended. Educational institutions were shut and most office goers worked from home. The residents stayed within the safe environs of the society, nevertheless there was upheaval in their life as maids and domestic help belonging to both the communities, living in shanties nearby, remained absent.
When the news of riots broke out, my daughter-in-law got a phone call from Noor, our domestic help, seeking permission to stay overnight at our place. There was fear and anxiety writ large over her face when Noor came carrying nothing but a few important documents. Completely out of wits, Noor was in a state of shock. While her husband stayed back at his place of work, Noor spent night with us but could barely have a wink of sleep. However, she was not the only one to have a sleepless night; there were many belonging to her community living in the slums facing extreme fear and uncertainty.
In the tense atmosphere, Noor’s husband and many others headed home. Those who stayed back were in a dilemma whether to stay put or return to their native place. While the poor domestic help was mulling over the idea of going back, the middle-class dependent upon the maids was feeling jittery on the prospects of losing their help. In the atmosphere of uncertainty, we were worried that our little one’s nanny would go back to her native place.
Thankfully, the situation was brought under control within a few days. However, so long as the tension lasted, it kept everyone on their tenterhooks. The epicenter of the trouble might have been elsewhere but the tremors were felt far and wide. In fact, disturbance anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere. Of course, the poor are the most vulnerable in any conflict, but the fact is no one remains unaffected in a disturbed scenario.
The leaders who whip up communal emotions don’t realise the harm they cause to the community they claim to represent. The situation worsens as anti-social elements fish in troubled waters. Social media adds fuel to the fire by spreading negative news, authentic or fake. The emotional impact of the spiraling negative messages and images is dangerous. As responsible citizens, we must act wisely, pause and think before forwarding any message. Sitting in our comfort zone, when we forward a hate message, we don’t realise we are playing with fire, jeopardizing the lives and livelihood of people, not only causing untold misery to others but harming our own interest.
(Published in The Tribune as MIDDLE on 10 August 2024 )
You are very right that the most vulnerable are the poor but the tremors are wide spread. The leaders trigger communal hatred to satisfy their vested interests and social media adds fuel to the fire….we as responsible citizens of the country should be mindful and cautious in sharing any such msgs that can in the garb of spreading awareness ,harm communal harmony. Very well written article dear Rama….a kind of wake up call for the educated fanatics.
Dear Mrs Dhawan, I remain grateful to you for always encouraging me with your kind words … However, this time I can’t thank you enough for the endorsement on a subject many may choose to ignore .
You are right we must exercise restraint .. refrain from forwarding hate messages, many of these may even be fake .
Thank you once again .
Our society has suffered the most due to communal hatred.We all need to be sensitive on this issue. Dear Rama,your beautifully penned article is truly awakening.The greatest religion is humanity
Yes ma’am, I agree humanity is greatest religion .
Thanks ma’am for reading and appreciating my concern .
In gratitude🙏
Life is too short to spread hate and hate messages. I fully agree with you dear Rama. There is dire need of avoiding such useless and hate messages. You have given a very strong and clear view. Let it be the voice of all.
Thank you so much dear Neelam for reading and leaving your feedback. Glad the article resonated with you .. true, let’s not spread hate ..
In this short life span why spread hatred. You said it so right. The leaders have vested interests in vote bank politics but the common citizen is hit hard. The social media plays a negative role. We as educated citizens should be mindful of what we are saying or doing
Yes Alka , this is what happens.. in the age of social media ,negative news spreads like a jungle fire. Many of the images and stories circulated in social media are manipulated .. We have seen this in Britain and Bangladesh recently .
You are right we should be mindful .
Last paragraph is the backbone of your article. You have almost covered all the angles. Most interesting line was ‘ not causing untold misery to others but harming our own interests ‘How can we stop the upsurge of mingling of different castes, colour and creed in the wake of Internet era , Globalisation ,students yearn for admission abroad. We will have to move with the age . When the age is changing at lightening speed. Many evils of the society will take back step on its own when intermingling starts.
Yet another perspective! You are right in an age of globalisation and internet , there is mingling of caste , colour and creed .However , religious differences are so deeply engrained that these keep erupting . Thanks dear Mrs Chopra for giving hope for religious harmony.
Dirty politics drag innocent people in difficult situations and irresponsible use of social media adds fuel to the fire !!Reality of riots hit area well narrated by you in appropriate words .Plight of house help maids and concerns of middle class so honestly expressed!!Very meaningful and relevant article Rama. Proud of your sensitivity and sensibility 🙏💞
Neelam , your compliments are indeed humbling.
Thank you much dear .
Actually, the so called leaders of the community instigate masses, antisocial elements jump in and social media aggravates by circulating inflammatory messages . Ultimately everyone suffers.
My sincere appreciation for the outstanding write-ups dear.Always inspired by your dedication n grateful for the precious msgs you are conveying to the society.God bless dear.
Thanks Praveen dear for your generous compliments. In fact , your appreciation is a reflection of your own goodness and greatness. You are a gem . Remain blessed always.
How well you describe frightening hearts n insecure life people have created for selfish motives n political ugandas… !!!!
Luv reading clever leaders.. Insecure domestic maids.. Stopping people do their work..
Your concern atleast not spread hatred is very much need of d hour..
Your sensitivity touches me.. God bless u.. 💞
Thank di for your appreciation. I wrote what I experienced and felt . Last year I happened to be in Gurgaon during this part of the year when communal clashes took place in Nuh affecting lives of people in adjoining districts.