Unity in diversity?

My friend Monish Mazumdar has been too kind to send this piece to be published here.

India is a land of "Unity in Diversity" was some of the essays we used to write during our school days. The theme use to revolve around geographic, cultural, linguistic, religious issues drawing similarities and contrast. Looking at the recent incidents of violence in Orissa and Maharashtra I question myself as to where we all are heading. Remember the erstwhile USSR and its super power status during pre and post cold war era. Now Russia is limited by geographic boundaries though still roars like a sleeping lion whenever there is crisis around. Smaller states were created through political referendums and ethnic clashes and we see the major ones merging into the European Union. Post cold war, the ethnic clashes among states of erstwhile USSR were mainly on linguistic and cultural issues. This has never happened and seems will never happen with US of A because of one culture and one religion.

With general election round the corner in India, political parties have already started seat sharing discussions, pacts and negotiations. Political leaders are also busy drawing strategies for setting the agenda for the election campaign with attacks and counter attack strategies. In the current scenario the people of the country needs to be sensible enough to read between the lines of what the media represents from the political remarks made. Otherwise we are likely to see similar situation that had taken place with USSR on linguistic and cultural lines, even though pundits predict that China & India among the emerging economies would take the lead in globalization efforts and financial stability in all the major stock markets. While I say similar situation, I mean religious conflicts that have taken place in Orissa which has brought shame to the nation. The linguistic and regional conflicts and negative attitude of people of Maharashtra towards north Indians also falls in the same category.

It's better to wait and watch rather than jump into any conclusion at this moment, but at the same time keep calm and think of responsible and sensible citizenship.