Atir Khan

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 him.

Similarly, when Indian Muslim religious leaders and intelligentsia condemn the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, some of their peers dismiss the 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 co-exist 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 in our country.

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

Their mischievous religious activism, much like the scorching summer winds, dries up reason and fuel division, creating an environment of hostility.

Adding to this complexity is the role of social media. The rapid spread of misinformation deepens divides, with negative discourse gaining more attention than reasoned debate.

The world becomes a battleground, and the air feels thick with toxicity, much like the polluted atmosphere we endure in winter.

Just as stubble burning and vehicle emissions choke our cities, the intolerance of both Hindu and Muslim extremists suffocates peaceful coexistence, blocking hope for harmony.

The regional intensity of extremism may vary, but the cold of intolerance, like the harsh winter winds of north India, remains.

The poor suffer the most during such times, regardless of their religion.

In these moments of despair, we forget to appreciate the delicate balance nature provides—the cyclical interplay of heat and cold, drought and rain.

India, with its vast diversity of religions, languages, and cultures, is a microcosm of this balance. Yet, rather than fostering unity, we often seek polarization. Extremism dominates public discourse, while moderate voices struggle to be heard.

These extremist ideologies spread panic, create law-and-order crises, and leave long-lasting scars on the national psyche. They tend to weaken the law-and-order system.

Voices calling for balance and moderation are often dismissed as irrelevant. We forget that it is this very balance—whether in nature or society—that allows life to thrive. We often romanticize our distant religious past but overlook the icons of coexistence.

Figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekanand, Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia, Guru Nanak, Dara Shikoh, Kabir, and Mother Teresa—who prioritized humanity over division—serve as examples of how to live in harmony despite differences.

Just as the changing seasons bring variety, India's religious diversity offers a dynamic blend that can unite rather than divide.

If we only had summer, we would never learn to appreciate the warmth that winter brings. Similarly, the harshness of one season makes the blessings of another more apparent.

India's religious diversity, though sometimes contentious, keeps the country vibrant, offering a foundation for unity and mutual respect. As spiritual leaders remind us, living in the present moment holds far more meaning than dwelling on the past.

India’s communities, despite their struggles, are in a far better place today than they were 20 years ago. They are healthier, more prosperous, and better educated. Yet, we find ourselves dissatisfied, and consumed by polarization and conflict.

Just as all seasons change, so too will this period of division. But only when we recognize the importance of balance—both in nature and in society—will we unlock the key to lasting peace and prosperity.

As the year draws to a close, let us look ahead with the new hope that moderation will guide us through the challenges of the future. And we will be able to rein in the extremes that threaten to tear apart the beautiful fabric of our nation.

Let us conclude with famous Urdu poet Bashir Badr’s poem: Dushmani Jamm Ke Karo, lekin yeh gunjayish rakhna, jabh hum dost ho jayein toh sharminda na hoon.

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It says you are free to be at loggerheads with each other with full force but remember to keep some scope for the revival of your friendship so that you are not embarrassed to see each other when you reunite.