*Religionism enters rationalism exit.
It’s been nine months, India facing the pandemic with parallel many national and international problems.
Coronavirus’s journey from one Indian to above 7.7 million seems ignoring of covid precautions.
Initially, India worried about pandemic after watching media coverage and whatsapp forwards. People were having fear until covid reached to villages, then the fear turn slowly into normalization.
We Indians have instinct to get habitual and finding comfort in living within whatever served.
But religion is the driving force, which can turn into similar to ‘ sepoy mutiny‘ of 1857. The mutiny’s hero Mangal Pandey and many orthodox Hindu – Muslim served passionately British until before cow and pig fat used in the cartridges which is against the conduct of religion.
This led mutiny against British company.
Faith v/s covid-19
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| Credit : DTnext.in |
Albert Einstein quoted – “Science without religion is lame, and religion without science is blind”.
I doubt this, because where science asks proofs and belief can’t be considered as proof.
The fear from unknown phenomenon and objects of nature like fire, thunder, oceans where we had no clue about these in Vedic period, the Vedic people generated/portrayed the unfamiliar phenomenon as God, examples are Indra as thunder god, Agni Dev as god of fire etc.
Till recent, small pox and chicken pox were deificated as Badi Mataji and Choti Mataji naming after Goddesses. And, Faith is the only cure of these highly contagious viral infections.
In covid episodes, we watched several people worshipping _Corona Devi_. Orthodox Indian people mind reflects that if we had no solution to the problem, let faith solves the problem. It popularizes faith among others too.
Here probability plays a significant role. Let assume 100 Corona positive worshipped/prays to _Corona Devi_ for the recovery from corona disease. Current recovery rate of covid-19 in India is 89% means 89/100 people somehow recovered and the credits passed to Coronadevi which result in strengthen of faith in Her. The recovered 89 thinks religion had treatment of every problem.
Nowadays, religious extremism is growing in India. Every orthodox is concerned about their religion, often heard ‘ religion is in danger’.
In the battle of supremacy in India on the religion basis, neither religion wants to miss any chance to be look inferior. So, despite of covid-19 religious practices is being conducted by Indians.
jamaat to janmabhoomi pujan, religion put ahead of covid-19 precautions.
Sadly, Rural India runs and lives on faith only. A major part of India drinks contaminated drinking water, eat unhygienic food, live at vulnerable areas, no sanitation facilities. Health is at same risk in covid-19 or daily problems.
Poor India’s life is on see-saw, and the risk is permanent. In that case, faith in God/religion is on the only path for awaking next morning.
*Opportunistic profit from faith*
Yet, Covid-19 is not over. But temples are allowed to open. Ganga, Pushkar Ghats are open for Yajamans.
The whole country affected economically, every household suffered, jobs loss, ill-treatment led death, these effects due to lockdown will remain for years. Political leaders were busy in to get urgent temple construct, pilgrims and government’s priorities reflected in these hard times.
It all raises a question that whose demand was to open to temples before manufacturing and labour markets, school and colleges? And whose earnings were disturbed?
Political and religious catalyst plays significant role, to make sure that people should not lose faith in religion.
*Rituals with covid precautions*
Recently, on Ganesh Chaturthi, virtual Aarti(s) were held and home delivery of Prasad gave glimpses of future rituals.
Rituals like Hawan, with the time passes turn into small Diya-baati; Vocal Bhajan replaced by home theater.
And now Aarti(s) conducting online, may covid-19 put effect on evolutions of rituals.
It seems Indian rituals and covid precaution can’t be done hand in hand.
Pranaam (touching feet of elders), Mu’anakka (Hug after Eid), Prashaad distribution, ritual baths in Kunds etc. violates covid precautions of distancing.
Despite, culture and religion practices prioritized against health risk.
*Festivals as livelihood*
Festivals bring great opportunities of earning for locals and skilled workers to its peak. People cannot prevent themselves from religion and festivals as many depend only on this.
In festival like Diwali, Dussehra, Ganesh chaturthi, Durga puja, Eid and many boost the income in every sector, whether Gold, automobile etc.
Those dependent spiritually, economically on religion and requires to practice it anyhow.
*To generate scientific temper: fundamental duties*
India should first focus on pandemic to eradicate, till then Indians should halt for any religious and festivities conducting.
We have to accept it that covid-19 needs scientific solution and currently which is social distancing only.
Religion is sustained and will be sustained post-covid also, but the need of the hour is a ‘break’. Break from activities which can affect the human survival.
By COI, to generate scientific temper is the fundamental duty of every citizen of India.
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