The Train to Pakistan

Someone once asked me, why in India, Hindus and Muslims can't live peacefully? I countered him with why in US there is still racism against the blacks. When I asked him the question, it was to thwart his question thrown to me. Although I did succeed in getting away at that time, but then this is the question that still haunts me?

Why in India, with cultures going back to the times of Harrappa and Mohenjodaro civilizations. India being the birth-place to the Indus Valley Civilization, we cannot live in peace? Why is it that we are always living in the constant fear of riots? Why is it that Godhra's still haunt us and their memories do not subside, rather threaten to ignite at a single flash of fire?

Is it the people who are against each other or is it really the politicians and the dirty game of politics that has the two religions pitted against each other?

Who wants the riots anyways? It is of course not the daily wage earner whose life, and that of his family, depends on what he is able to earn daily. No it is not the average person whose life only revolves around his family, to even think of riots. He cannot have his family in any danger.

If we leave the average man out of this, then who is into it? Of course, someone who is not that average, for whom it is not the daily routine but a much larger goal, the goal of running a country and having all the people under him. It is undoubtedly the politician. He, who to acheive his larger ends, does not even thinks once before putting others in the line of fire.

All the wars that have been fought have been fought at the behest of the emperors, not that of the soldiers. For the soldiers, it is just about earning the daily bread, for the emperors, it is a chance to enter the hallowed chambers of History as the greatest emperor.

Who suffers out of all this..It is indeed the common man; not the emperor and obviously not the politician but the simple common man.

What is the use of conquering the outer space, moon or the Mars, when we cannot or do not want to work towards, either the removal of racism or the intolerance towards people who are different from us, either in terms of religion or color or creed?

The politicians are not going to work towards this as their larger purpose will be sacrificed. It is the common man who has to work towards it.

All or any ideas of comments invited.