(KC Kalkura)
The issue of the Uniform Civil Code is raised with reference to the number of wives a Muslim is allowed under the Personal Law and the children he or she begets. It results in demographic imbalance. There are a number of cases where the Supreme Court has referred to article 44 and the concept of the Uniform Civil Code, mainly to highlight the lacklustre attitude of the executive and the legislature in the implementation of the directive. Statutes, rules and regulations cannot change human nature.
There was a metamorphosis in the society due to the preachings and ceaseless propagation of the social reformers: Viz. our ancient sages, Buddha, Jina, Christ, Mahammad, Adi Shankaracharya, Vivekananda, Phule, Mahatma Gandhi and others. For thousands of years, they continue to influence society. English poet Shelly claimed: “Poets and philosophers are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.”
Uniform Civil Code can restrict the number of wives a person can have. But it cannot impose a ban on the number of children. In fact, the Family Welfare Scheme has achieved a great amount of success, not on account of the rules and regulations; but due to social awareness. Those were the days when the people thought that the ‘Almighty was responsible for birth and death.
Let the children survive in any manner their fate directs.’ Education was the right of the elite and the rich. It is not the case now. Even a watchman wants his son/daughter to become a Collector; And in fact, they are achieving the aspirations of their parents. As the rate of literacy increases, the community becomes aware of its responsibilities and duties.
In the days of yore, a large joint family was considered a strength and an asset. The concept of the 21st Century is nuclear families; husband and wife and minor/unmarried children. Quite often aged/dependent parents are sent to the Old Age Homes; comfort first; ethics next! Hindus are not excluded. In fact, ‘old age homes are increasing and they are exhibiting ‘no vacancy’ boards.
Hardly we find literate among the Muslims who had two wives and more than two children. Their girls are also studying professional courses. Though there is a symbolic protest against raising the age of marriage, literate Muslim girls are not far behind their Hindu counterparts in opting for late marriages.
In the hindsight, there are certain communities among the Hindus also, particularly the tribals, where child marriage is rampant. No law can change the system of child marriage among the illiterates engaged in errands like casual labours, beedi -rolling and street vending; for that matter, other social evils also.
This applies to Hindu society also. It is to be admitted that the rate of literacy among Muslims, particularly women, is far below the national average. Hindus also are to be blamed for creating demographic imbalance. Late marriage is the order among many Hindu castes.
Now it is very late, beyond thirty/thirty-five. The Two-child norm is a thing of the past. ‘One’ or ‘none’ is the present. Yes, there is a likelihood of certain forward communities, especially Brahmins being extinct from society.
In this context, the example of the Pharisees can be cited. The exact number of Pharisees who migrated to India from Iran, for centuries, is unavailable. It is estimated at lakhs.
The present number is less than 50 thousand. It is also relevant to quote here that the Muslim Community has not mingled and identified with the majority community, like the Pharisees. There is a historical reason for it. Pharisees came here as refugees; while Arabs as rulers and the converts too were part of the ruling class. It is tragic that the Secular credentials of some tallest
One area where both the leftists and the Hindutva forces are erring is the local customs, rituals, traditions and worships. There may be a place without a Temple for Shiva. Krishna and Rama Temples are rare and few. But there is not a village, throughout the country, without a Village Deity, called by different names.
Invariably the devotees and the hereditary priests are Harijans and Backwards class persons. However, some conservatives and traditionalists also offer prayers and offerings, through the priests; sometimes even goats and hens. Thousands gather on special occasions; Lakhs, even crore during the festivals from far and wide.
The popular Sammakka Saralamma Jatara also known as Medaram Jatara is the finest example. It is a biennial tribal festival celebrated in the memory and honour of Sammakka and Saralamma in the State of Telangana.
The Jatara is held at Medaram in Tadvai Mandal in Mulugu District. It commemorates the valiant fight of the mother and daughter duo i.e. Sammakka and Saralamma against the then Kakatiya dynasty rulers protesting exaction of land tribute even at the time of severe drought. After Kumbha Mela, the Medaram jatara is said to attract the largest number of devotees in the country. Medaram Jatara was held in 2022 between 16th February 2022 and 19th February 2022.
Read Part 1 here
A little festival of tribal origin in Telangana has become a major pilgrimage in the second decade of the 21st Century. This Jathara has been declared as a State Festival in 1998. The population of the little forest village at Medaram in normal times never exceeds 300.
Suddenly, in 2020 nearly 1 crore pilgrims participated in the Jathara and during 2022 the number of pilgrims was estimated at 1.20 crore. Devotees came from all over Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states like Orissa, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
Like the Brundvans of the Hindu Swamijis, there are many Durgas of the Sufi saints. Many caste Hindus also offer prayers there and attend festivals, called Uras. Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy Brundavan in Mantralayam is frequented by Muslim men and women.
Nehru asserted that the Hindu-Muslim problem “is not a genuine problem concerning the masses, but it was the creation of self-seekers, job-hunters, and timid people who believe in British rule in India till eternity”. It is still true.
If the Hijab issue were not to be raised, the results of the elections of the five State Assemblies would not have been otherwise. But it was unnecessarily brought to light at a crucial time. In spite of a court order to follow the Institutional dress code, the girl students of the minority had stuck to their guns.
They preferred to boycott the classes. It might not have been willful disobedience of the Court’s order, but definitely defiance of Rule of Law. This stand was supported by the Secular parties. This had a salutary effect on the electorate. A minor percentage of wavering votes might have made the difference.
“None shall be turned away from this vast seashore of humanity; that is India,” said Tagore. If Secularism fails to win, Secular forces have to shoulder more blame for creating a sense of insecurity among the majority community. (Concluded)
(Last part of the two-part article)
(*KC Kalkura, Advocate and Social Activist, Kurnool. Andhra Pradesh)