Page 40 - 31MAR2019E

When politically tinkered

Hanuman gets synonymous

with destruction

The Hanuman traditionally revered in Hindu religion is Sankat mochan (Danger freeing); not Sankat
amantrana (Danger inviting), write debasish bhattaCharyya

t seems that the world is asking verance and strength. Also, cow, given twining religion and politics cinvolv-
India, “Is this the best that world’s the honour of a mother in our country ing revered animals, so to say. While
largest democracy has to offer?” is another most venerated animal. The cow-centric political discourse centred
At a time when ‘political cred- representative of divine in Hinduism, on cow vigilantism and lynching inci-
I ibility’ is almost a lost virtue, it’s cow, is considered as holy, generous dents, Hanuman-centric political dis-
no wonder politicians ignore the fact and docile creature. course centred on Hanuman’s identity
that political leadership is as much The other highly revered animals and social status; all aimed at bolstering
about them as it is about those they associated with Hindu deities include political image.
serve. More broadly, a nation’s politi- tiger, elephant, snake etc. Many Egyp-
cal culture is to a great extent reflected tian, Roman and Greek Gods also are Conundrum over caste
in politicians’ motives for using power associated with animals — sheep, pig, Ever since the revered disciple of Lord
and influence. The desperate politicians horse, goat, wolf etc. Therefore, it’s not Ram faced identity politics, debates
seeking power nurture the notion that India alone; several other countries on his caste — religion gained politi-
they are uniquely qualified to guide also regard quite a few animals highly. cal traction. And, it’s despite country
people to wellbeing. However, what From Nepal, Vietnam, Korea, Thailand having shocking history of caste based
makes the matters worse is the grow- to China, Japan, Turkey, Africa. But, what conflicts. According to Ministry of
ing number of leaders better known makes India unique from other coun- Home Affairs, India witnessed 10,399
for a style that is cheap, revengeful and tries is its brazen political exploitation incidents of communal violence from
vitriolic. And, it is mostly this category of non human divine entities — Inter- 2004 to 2017 wherein 1,605 people were
of politicians, responsible for rising in- killed and 30,723 were injured.
tensity of the country’s political climate Hence, dragging Hanuman into
who consider increased sacralisation India witnessed 10,399 politics of caste and religion has been
of certain animals and particular faith apparently deliberate and conscious;
as part of new age political agenda - an incidents of communal just to have discernable political impact
agenda for using religion as a political violence from 2004 on people. Sadly, issues like Hanuman’s
fig leaf. caste analysis reached its rabble-rous-
Animals have a distinctive place to 2017 wherein 1,605 ing zenith as the country remained tru-
in almost all prehistoric cultures and people were killed and ly hungry for progressive and construc-
some are accorded special status. Put tive politics.
simply, in various religions, animals are 30,723 injured. Hence, The Oxford journal article Animals
worshiped either in the form of god or in the constitutional state mentions
symbols and are given high reverence. dragging Hanuman a profound quotation by Catharine
In Indian mythology, Hanuman, the into politics of caste MacKinnon. The American radical legal
Hindu monkey god in epic Ramayana scholar proposes that animals do “dis-
is regarded as a perfect symbol of self- and religion seems to sent from human hegemony,” observ-
lessness and devoted service. He is one be deliberate for huge ing that “they vote with their feet by
of the most celebrated and worshipped running away. They bite back, scream
figures because of his bravery, perse- impact on people in alarm, withhold affection, approach

Tehelka / 31 march 2019 40 www.Tehelka.com