Syncretic India: The Twitter Handle That Strengthens Our Belief in the Secular Values and Cultural Diversity of India
Despite
rising xenophobia and social crisis, Indians still keep secularism and cultural
diversity close to their hearts
1. Indians still have a strong belief
in secularism and religious tolerance.
2. Rabindranath Tagore had echoed the
Quran when he said that India’s religious and cultural diversity was planned by
God.
3. Many Muslims celebrate Hindu
festivals and many Hindus fast during the Ramadhan.
4. Western thinkers have expressed surprise over India’s unity in diversity.
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New
Age Islam Edit Desk
6
February 2022
At a
time when religious hatred and xenophobia have caused the social crisis not
only in India but around the world, and various communal organisations spread
religious and communal hatred, a Twitter handle spreading the idea of Syncretic
India and receiving over one hundred thousand visits and retweets surprises
many. This hints that though we have been made to believe that secular values
are fast receding in the country, the reality is not so much disappointing or
grim. People in the country still cherish the moments of solidarity and
communal harmony and feel that India can never lose its communal harmony and
secular fabric no matter how much the communal forces strive to secure their
nefarious goal.
This week a Twitter handle #Syncretic India
trended with over one thousand tweets stressing and strengthening the idea of
Syncretic India and showing through various quotes, happenings, heart touching
images and representation of cultural and religious diversity and religious
tolerance for a couple of days. That was really refreshing and heart touching.
People
mentioned incidents where the members of a particular community performed the
last rites of the deceased of another religious community. This aspect of
syncretic India came into prominence during the height of the pandemic and
lockdown when the relatives of several Hindu deceased could not reach the dead
due to lockdown restrictions and their Muslim neighbours took up the
responsibility of cremations with correct Hindu religious rituals in a number
of cases.
Another
aspect of syncretic India was shown in the fact that in India copies of the
Hindu epic Ramayana written in Urdu are still preserved and adored by Hindus.
Many Hindu women and men fast during the holy month of Ramzan while many Muslim
men and women wear a bindi, take an active part in Hindu festivals like Ganesh
Chaturthi. In Kumartuli of Kolkata, many Muslim artisans make images of Durga,
Saraswati, Kali and other deities.
Secularism
is so deeply etched in the psyche of Indians through the aeons that
irrespective of political ideology, political leaders like Atal Behari
Vajpayee, Narendra Modi along with Pranab Mukherjee and Mahatma Gandhi accept
the fact that India cannot exist without secularism. News of Muslim boys dying
while saving a Hindu girl or a Hindu boy providing shade to a Muslim boy
offering namaz by spreading his saffron robe or Muslim youth providing fruits
and refreshes to Hindu pilgrims during a Hindu festival strengthens our resolve
to keep India’s secularism alive amid crisis. The great poet and philosopher of
India, Rabindranath Tagore goes on to say that India’s secularism was according
to the plan of God because if he had willed he would have made India a country of
one religion and one culture.
Some
of the tweets, quotes, images and representations are being reproduced here for
our readers.
1. Ramayan in Persian! Our Secular heritage.
Let’s not lose our secularism
#SyncreticIndia
2. Secularism in in the blood of Indians. We
support equality.
#SyncreticIndia
3. Our country is divided into religion,
cast, creed, colour, language but we together with a thought that we are one,
firstly we are citizen of our country.
#SyncreticIndia
4. Secularism is not just a word; it is a
matter of faith for us Indians!
#SyncreticIndia
5. Western dictionaries define secularism as
absence of religion but Indian secularism does not mean religiousness. It means
profusion of religions.
#SyncreticIndia
6. If #India is not a secular nation then
India is not India at all.
#SyncreticIndia
7. #India is a vibrant nation whose strength
lies in its commitment to equal rights & speech, religious freedoms that
enrich lives of all citizens. India is not only the world's largest democracy;
it is also a secular, pluralistic society. ~ Henry Paulson (Author)
#SyncreticIndia
8. Buddha is the crown jewel of India which
accepts all ways of worship of all religions. This quality of Hinduism in India
was a product of many great spiritual masters chief among them was Buddha. And
this is what sustains secular character of India. ~ PM #Modi
#SyncreticIndia
9. In Western lands there is a distinct
division between the religious and the secular life. This distinction has never
found its place in the life of the people of India. There, all of life is
included in the word 'religion.' ~ Virchand Gandhi
#SyncreticIndia
10. Almost every Indian has a loving
Muslim/Christian/Sikh/Buddhist friend/neighbour who has stood by them during
troubled hours. Secularism is in our blood.
#SyncreticIndia
11. As per the findings of Pew Research Centre,
Indians feel they have religious freedom, see respecting all religions as a
core value. This is India. #SyncreticIndia
12. Many Sikh (29%), Christian (22%) &
Muslim (18%) women in India say they wear a bindi even though bindi has Hindu
origins. (Pew Research Centre data)
This
proves that #India is truly secular and Indian secularism is the fusion of
religions rather than separation.
#SyncreticIndia
13. In India, 77% Muslims, 77% Hindu and 54%
Christians in India believe in karma. (Pew Research Centre data)
This
proves that #Indians are truly secular and Indian secularism is the fusion of
religions rather than separation.
#SyncreticIndia
14. India is truly a secular nation and
believers of all religions and atheists have a place in this country. #SyncreticIndia
15. India is a country in which every great
religion finds a home. ~Annie Besant
#SyncreticIndia
16. In the West, #secularism implies
pinpricking religious fraud and arrogance, but in India secularists are the
most eloquent defenders of myth and theocracy.
#SyncreticIndia
17. Indian secularism is the fusion of
different religious beliefs, not their separation.
#SyncreticIndia
18. A beautiful quote by former Prime Minister
of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on Indian secularism
#SyncreticIndia
19. Gandhi Ji beautifully explains nuances of
secularism, which Indian constitution represents. #SyncreticIndia
20. We are one
#SyncreticIndia
21. Unity in Diversity is India’s strength.
There is simplicity in every Indian. There is unity in every corner of India,
This is our strength. #SyncreticIndia
22. Unity in Diversity. #SyncreticIndia
23. "Our ability to reach unity in
diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization."
#SyncreticIndia
24. #SyncreticIndia
25. "In diversity there is beauty and
there is strength." #SyncreticIndia
26. "Our cultural strength has always been
derived from our diversity of understanding and experience."
#SyncreticIndia
27. "Difference is of the essence of
humanity. Difference is an accident of birth and it should therefore never be
the source of hatred or conflict. The answer to difference is to respect it.
“#SyncreticIndia
28. #SySyncreticIndia
29. A grand synthesis of cultures, religions
and languages of the people belonging to different castes and communities has
upheld its unity and cohesiveness despite multiple foreign invasions.
#SyncreticIndia
30. "We must embrace our differences, even
celebrate our diversity. We must glory in the fact that God created each of us
as unique human beings. God created us different, but God did not create us for
separation."
#SyncreticIndia
33. I bow my head in front of shrines because I
love my religion & it doesn’t allow insulting any other religion. Religion
only tells that if you join your palms it is called worship and if you open it
is called Dua. #SyncreticIndia
34. My tribute towards #SyncreticIndia
35. This is really India! And not everything
else you hear! #SyncreticIndia
36. Meet Razia who brings in Home Ganpati bappa
since she was a child. #SyncreticIndia
37. Still Somewhere Humanity is there!!
#SyncreticIndia
38. Somewhere in India, a Temple shares wall
with a Mosque! #SyncreticIndia
39. This is the beauty of our #SyncreticIndia
40. A Hindu Sanyasi speaking high about Sikhs
& a Sikh Guru speaking high about Hindus. This is the beauty of India. Sikh
Namadari community welcomed Mata Peetadipati Sri Sri Shankara Bharati
Mahaswamiji to their spiritual headquarters Shri Bahini Sahib in Ludhiana
#syncreticIndia
41. isIt is the beauty of #India. External
forces are trying desperately to divide us, to break us. But let’s show the
world what India is made of. #SyncreticIndia
42. बुराई किसी धर्म पर नहीं होती बुराई तो कुछ इंसान
में होती है #SyncreticIndia
43. आज मुझे फिर इस बात का गुमान हो, मस्जिद में भजन मंदिरों
में अज़ान हो,
खून का रंग फिर एक जैसा हो, तुम मनाओ दिवाली मेरे घर रमजान हो। #SyncreticIndia
44. अब ना मैं हूं ना बाकी है जमाने मेरे l फिर भी मशहूर है शहरों
में फसाने मेरे l जिंदगी है तो नए जख्म
भी लग जाएंगे l अब भी बाकी है कई दोस्त
पुराने मेरे l
#SyncreticIndia
45. We are Indians, first and last. Spread your wings and embrace the love of
your nation. Happy Republic Day! #SyncreticIndia
46. यही है हमारी संस्कृति, आपसी भाईचारे की आइए सब
मिल कर अब मंदिर और मस्जिद के झगड़ो को खत्म करें और साथ मिलकर आपसी सहयोग से अपना
और देश का भविष्य बनाएं। मेरा तो बस एक ही है अरमान तिरंगे के नीचे हो सारा हिंदुस्तान
#SyncreticIndia
47. Our ability to reach unity in diversity
will be the beauty and the test of our civilization. #SyncreticIndia
48. Muslim artisans create Durga puja tableaux
is a symbol of love, respect for each other’s culture and traditions.
#SyncreticIndia
49. Muslim bands perform for Hindu Kumbh mela
represent one belief in that almighty whom we address by different names.
#SyncreticIndia
50. India is known for unity in its diversity
and Shiva temple in Assam cared for by Muslim represent the same.
#SyncreticIndia
51. Hindu Muslim Unity:
Why my Hindu grandfather fasted for Ramadan
#SyncreticIndia
52. Pune: Masjid and
Mandir side by side signify Hindu muslim unity. #SyncreticIndia
53. Muslim girls chant
Sanskrit hymns #SyncreticIndia
54. “If we live in our
oneness-heart, we will feel the essence of all religions which is the love of
God. Forgiveness, compassion, tolerance, brotherhood and the feeling of oneness
are the signs of a true religion.” #SyncreticIndia
55. “As different streams, having their sources
in different places, all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the
different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though
they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.” #SyncreticIndia
56. Before becoming a Hindu, a Muslim, a
Christian or a Sikh let’s become a human first. #SyncreticIndia
57. An 18th century painting depicting Lord
Krishna sighting the Eid moon and pointing it to MUSLIM women and men
#SyncreticIndia
58. Architecturally medieval Jali / Latticed
screen painted with green & embedded with Saffron & Red thread knots of
faith sighted somewhere at Dargah of #Pirankalyar #SyncreticIndia
59. This is the true face of India. Here, every
Indian has a caring friend from other religions #SyncreticIndia
60. The Muslim neighbourhood in North Kashmir’s
Bandipora helped perform the last rites of an elderly Kashmiri Pandit
woman #SyncreticIndia
61. These things can be witnessed only in
India #SyncreticIndia
62. Meet Mr. Anil Kumar Chauhan, an artist who
had transcended boundaries by painting verses in 100 Hyderabad mosques.
#SyncreticIndia
63. In Uttar Pradesh Muslim woman breaks her
fast to donate blood to Hindu patient. Humanity is the identity of our country.
#SyncreticIndia
64. Lord Krishna is showing Eid moon to
Muslims. A Rajasthan artwork. It clearly depicts how deeply rooted Secularism
we have in India. #SyncreticIndia
65. Image speaks a thousand words.
#SyncreticIndia
66. A goodwill gesture by muslim boatmen by
making floating pathway by means of boats for hindu devotees towards popular
hindu temple at Jhelum sind river junction #SyncreticIndia
67. These kinds of news makes us feel proud to
be Indian! Indians proved their unity in diversity #SyncreticIndia
68. இந்திய மதச்சார்பின்மை என்பது வெவ்வேறு மத நம்பிக்கைகளின்
இணைப்பே தவிர, அவற்றின் பிரிவினை அல்ல
#SyncreticIndia
69. மத சார்பின்மை என்றால் என்ன என்று நீங்கள் இந்தியாவை
பார்த்துதான் கற்று கொள்ள வேண்டும். சகோதரத்துவம் என்பது இந்தியர்களின் இரத்தத்தில்
உள்ளது #SyncreticIndia
70.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was the best example of #SyncreticIndia. https://www.hindustantimes.com/columns/farewell-citizen-kalam-he-symbolised-a-syncretic-india/story-OmXJtrbNWiHfZ6BXiaJTfP.html
71. This happens only
in India. #SyncreticIndia.
72. This is India which our heroes dreamt of.
The living example of Unity in Diversity. #SyncreticIndia
73. Hindus and Muslims greeting each other on
the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi and Moharram. #SyncreticIndia
74. Ancient Buddhist temple at Bakariya Kund -
an example of syncretic culture in Varanasi. #SyncreticIndia
75. “Adopting a secular approach, treating all
spiritual traditions with respect, has been an exemplary Indian tradition,” His
Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet.
#SyncreticIndia
These
are only some of the images and pictures of the Syncretic India we have built
and protected for centuries. It is home to thousands of religious and cultural
groups. We hope that this syncretism and cultural and religious diversity will
prosper and become richer with time and will remain an example of peaceful
coexistence for the entire world.
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