The balance of seasons and society

In India, we see a parallel struggle. When RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat advocates for moderation, several Hindu religious leaders stand up to oppose his stand. Similarly, when Indian Muslim religious leaders and intelligentsia condemn the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, some of their peers dismiss these calls for peace.

- ATIR KHAN

Extremes bring discomfort, whether in nature or in society. When seasons change, we experience discomfort: the blistering heat of summer, the unpredictable floods of the monsoon, or the suffocating chill of winter.

Nature, in its cycles, requires balance—so too does human society.

In India, we see a parallel struggle. When RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat advocates for moderation, several Hindu religious leaders stand up to oppose his stand. Similarly, when Indian Muslim religious leaders and intelligentsia condemn the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, some of their peers dismiss these calls for peace.

This contradiction reflects a paradox of human nature: we yearn for balance and moderation, but often resist the very equilibrium that could bring peace.

The tailwinds of polarization are so strong that even the sanest voices struggle to make an impact.

The scope of pluralism is narrowing in the Indian psyche. People could only imagine either a masjid or mandir, both cannot coexist in the same premises.

Quite contrary to this in the Indian Army places of worship are built in a single row, one after the other, mandir, masjid, gurdwara and church you will find at the same premises. All of them are run smoothly.

Sometimes they even have common walls. And Indian Army personnel are one of the happiest people of our country.

However, in the civilian world self-proclaimed religious leaders, driven by the potential for political gain, spread venomous communal hatred.