Skip to main content

Not true: India's syncretism 'developed' by Gandhi, Bose, Nehru; it's pre-British

By Osman Sher* 

According to Dr Ram Puniyani all the three great leaders of modern India, Gandhi, Bose and Nehru, believed in an independent India that would bring together different philosophical, religious, and cultural principles and practices. True, but this syncretism has not been limited only to modern times.
In fact, it is the hallmark of the Indian culture and governance. It had started as early as 550 BC with the rule of Bimbisara and Ajatashatru, the rulers of Magadh (South Bihar) and the first Empire builders, when Buddhism and Jainism took birth, and the rulers were believed to be followers of both the religions along with their own Vedic religion. The people too accepted both the religions with no friction in the society.
History is replete with instances of syncretism of the rulers, both by words and actions. As it will be a dissertation to make a mention of all those here, I would suffice to give the instances only of two greatest rulers of the subcontinent, Asoka and Akbar.
Asoka’s preaching on rock edicts is full of respect for other religions. However, to quote only one, he writes in Rock Edict VII:
“But Devanumpriya (Beloved of the gods or Asoka himself)) does not consider gifts of honor to be as important as the essential advancement of all sects. Its basis is the control of one’s speech, so as not to excel one’s own sect or disparage that of another on unsuitable occasions...
"On such occasions one should honor another man’s sect, for by doing so one increases the influence of one’s own sect and benefits that of the other man, while, by doing otherwise one diminishes the influence of one’s own sect and harms the other man’s...therefore concord is to be commended so that men may hear one another’s principles.”

Akbar expressed his views on the religion and his people as:
“Although I am the master of so vast a kingdom, and all the instruments of governments are in my hand, yet since the greatness consists in doing the will of God, my mind is not at ease in this diversity of sects and creeds; and apart from this outward pomp of circumstances, with what satisfaction, in my despondency, can I undertake the sway of empire?"
In the General Council of the learned men, he addressed:
“We ought, therefore, to bring them all into one religion in such a fashion that they be both ‘one’ and ‘all’ with the great advantage of not losing what is good in any one religion, while gaining whatever is better in another. In that way honor would be rendered to God, peace would be given to the people, and security to the Empire.”
Episode of hatred among communities started with British, who had a purpose: divide the nation in religious groups
Therefore, by culling the best features of all religions, he gave his Deen-e-Ilahi in 1582.
Since the dawn of history, India has never experienced communal riots and mob lynching on the basis of religion. At the highest level, efforts have been made by the kings and the regional rajahs themselves to create harmony among the communities.
Setting aside the episodes of struggle for political powers and the ensuing brutalities at higher level, strife and agitation at ground level have been generally absent. Even the British could not twist the history in this regard. Any modern writing or verbal speeches to the contrary are mere propaganda and travesty of history.
Undoubtedly, this episode of hatred among the communities had started with the British, who had a purpose: divide the nation in religious groups, do not face their combined resistance, and rule comfortably. But the policy of the present government is without any purpose and is centred round pure hate.
One more point towards Dr Ram Puniyan's learned piece of writing. He is of the opinion that the present Government is only against Islam and Christianity because they are “foreign religions”. It is not so simple to say that there are only two religions. People are encouraged to perpetrate atrocities on their own fellow- religionists, the Dalits, because Manusmriti says so.
Nay, the Sikhs, the Buddhists, and the Jains are in the queue.
---
*This is a rejoinder to Ram Puniyani's article, distributed by JanVikalp

Comments

TRENDING

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra  Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

Workers' groups condemn Gujarat Ordinance increasing working hours, warn of statewide agitation

By A Representative   At a consultation organised today by the Asangathit Shramik Hit Rakshak Manch at Circuit House in Ahmedabad, leaders of major trade unions and labour rights organisations strongly opposed the Gujarat government’s recent ordinance amending the Factories Act and the draft rules notified under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code, 2020. Around 50 representatives from central trade unions, independent unions, and labour welfare organisations participated in the meeting.

Deaths in Chhattisgarh are not just numbers – they mark a deeper democratic crisis

By Sunil Kumar  For a while, I had withdrawn into a quieter life, seeking solace in nature. But the rising tide of state-sponsored violence and recurring conflict across India has compelled deeper reflection. The recent incidents of killings in central India—particularly in Chhattisgarh—are not isolated acts. They point to a larger and ongoing crisis that concerns the health of democracy and the treatment of marginalised communities.

'Bengali Muslim migrant workers face crackdown in Gurgaon': Academic raises alarm

By A Representative   Political analyst and retired Delhi University professor Shamsul Islam has raised serious concerns over the ongoing targeting and detention of Muslim migrant workers from West Bengal in Gurgaon, Haryana. In a public statement, Islam described the situation as "brutal repression" and accused law enforcement agencies of detaining migrants arbitrarily under the pretext of verifying their citizenship.

Gender violence defies stringent laws: The need for robust social capital

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra*  The tragic death of Miss Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan College, Balasore, who reportedly self-immolated due to harassment, shocked the conscience of Odisha. Even before the public could process this horrifying event, another harrowing case emerged—a 15-year-old girl from Balanga, Puri, was allegedly set ablaze by miscreants. These incidents are not isolated; they highlight a disturbing pattern of rising gender-based violence across the state and the country.

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan  Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

The myth of population decline: India’s real challenge is density, not fertility

By N.S. Venkataraman*   India’s population in 2025 stands at approximately 1.4 billion. In 1950, it was 359 million, rising sharply to 1.05 billion by 2000. The population continues to grow and is projected to reach around 1.7 billion by 2050.

How natural and organic farming can be a key to combating the climate crisis

By Raj Kumar Sinha*  On July 9, while addressing the “Sahkar Samvad” in Ahmedabad with women and workers associated with cooperatives from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that natural farming is essential for both our health and the health of the soil. This is a significant statement in the context of addressing the climate change crisis. Natural farming can play a crucial role in combating climate change. Also known as organic farming, it is a system of agriculture that can increase food production without harming the environment. Natural farming has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 35% to 50%.

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative   At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.