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ABP Thoughts of India | Why we are ‘in the middle of a history war’

March 26, 2022
Bharat Times English News

ABP Thoughts of India: History should be all inclusive so that there is no denial except truth and reconciliation. The same message was retained in the session, which was titled, ‘Exploring the Past. History of India: Change or Continuity?’, during ABP Network’s ‘Wild Stone Present Ideas of India Summit’ in Mumbai on Saturday.

“During the medieval period, when India was invaded by outside forces, there are stories about native resistance to conquest for 500 years. But the brutality, plundering of those conquests has been taken out of the history books. I think these unpleasant facts need to be told so that there is truth and reconciliation amongst all,” said Makrand R Paranjpe, author and educationist at the session chaired by veteran journalist Veer Sanghvi.

He further added: “Controlling the narrative doesn’t work, especially for text books. If you look at some of the NCERT text books, there is so much distortion of facts. For example, it is not mentioned how Qutub Minar, A victory memorial was actually built on the ruins of temples. The Congress-dominated narrative that had been around for 60-70 years was very divisive. Very few people knew that there were Muslim soldiers fighting in Shivaji’s army.”

Writer and socio-political activist Sudheendra Kulkarni said, “If history is used to divide society, it is harmful. If it is studied to look for mistakes, it is a path towards reconciliation. “We cannot blame the Muslims of today for the mistakes committed by the invaders and fundamentalists centuries ago. There is a well-planned campaign going on all over the country to defame or blame Muslims.

Paranjpe made a strong argument that “the burden of peace and reconciliation cannot rest entirely on Hindus alone”.

“Why can’t a conference be held by Muslim Ulemas condemning attacks on Hindus and temples? This will be the beginning of the reconciliation process.”

Kulkarni agreed. “Islam has been misused for terrorism and extremism. Muslim ulema should condemn it.”

He added: “The principles that have guided India’s history for 5000 years change with continuity. But political parties are using it to further their divisive agenda. Says in public forum that if India got true independence in 2014, it is disregarding the contribution made by generations towards building a self-reliant India. Continuity is abandoned and it is a great loss to history ”

‘If Islam fundamentalism is wrong, then Hindu fundamentalism is also wrong’

Kulkarni, who quoted Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay in his opening remarks, said that democracy, socialism and world peace can be reconciled. “India has welcomed and made every culture, religion, race its own. We have invaders who have looted our country. But the innate power of India has helped everyone to assimilate. Berber was an invader but Bahadur Shah Zafar was as Indian as Rani Lakshmi Bai. He led the war against the British. Unfortunately, the BJP today is not following the guiding principles of its ideological guru Upadhyay and is creating artificial controversy.”

Referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s recent remarks about 80 per cent and 20 per cent division during his election campaign, Kulkarni said, “This polarization of India has no place in any idea of ​​India, and It should be rejected. Divisive politics has to end.”

“We are in the middle of a history war,” Paranjpe warned, adding: “This is part of a larger culture war in India. Today we are at the edge of history where Hindutva has history. Hindutva is not always divisive. Hindutva historians are trying to open this field. There was a group of people who contributed to our freedom movement – it didn’t have a hero or a heroine like the Ramayana. It followed the Mahabharata model. Hindutva historians say It is that people like Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Savarkar did not get their due.

Kulkarni said he does not condemn Hindutva as a fascist force. “I disagree with some aspects but I agree that it is an integral part of our history. Today we need a dialogue between the forces of Hindutva and those who oppose it. If Islam fundamentalism is wrong then Hindu fundamentalism is also wrong.

Kulkarni said: “We should study history otherwise we are vulnerable to commit past mistakes. But we should not study history to create controversy and divide society. If we divide, India is weak. And we cannot fight our common problems like poverty, underdevelopment and deprivation. We should look at history critically but with a creative mind.”

Paranjanpe noted the importance of remembering the past.

“People remember the past in many ways – through legends, myths, and family tales. History is also a way of remembering the past. It’s not the only way to reconstruct the past. When you open the door, you see A rich understanding is gained. The way to the future is through the past. So the past has to be revisited. But it must be done while upholding the values ​​of decency and dialogue.”

To this Kulkarni said, ‘The past is important. But it should not be excavated. It should be studied clearly and openly. The focus should be on the future.”

He concluded his remarks by quoting Sri Aurobindo. “Pride in the past, concern for the present and lofty dreams of the future,” he said, and this can only happen if “we are all united regardless of religion background and political affiliation”.

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ABP Network’s two-day ‘Wild Stone Presents Ideas of India’ summit brings thought leaders from diverse fields – culture, sports and cinema to technology, business and politics – about India’s journey so far.