The DNA of Hate

On the publication of Subramanian Swamy’s latest burst of bigotry

There is a category of people in India who make a career out of being a nuisance. Unlike activists who have the excuse of an ideal, this group stays on the fringes of the State, knowing its workings, and then feeds off bureaucrats, policemen and politicians by aligning interests or by viciously hounding them. If ever they had an association and if selection was by merit, then Subramanian Swamy would be president for life. Using pure cunning, he has single-handedly shaken governments in Tamil Nadu and the Centre. Politics, however, is a fickle mistress and the days when he was the only man to be able to walk into Rajiv Gandhi’s house without an appointment (according to one fable) is long gone. Swamy, for a while, has been in deep wilderness without a compass to get out.

It is, therefore, understandable that, soon after the blasts, he writes an article in DNA asking Muslims in India to be treated like Jews in Hitler’s Germany. The homeless man is merely seeking sanctuary, and if other doors are closed, then the residence of the Hindu fundamentalist is as good as any for someone who believes in nothing. His recommendations include the elimination of 300 mosques, renaming India Hindustan, banning conversion from Hinduism but not reconversion back to Hinduism, grabbing land from Bangladesh, treating Muslims who do not acknowledge that their ancestors were once Hindus as foreigners. Exactly the sort of stuff that RSS men say when they think no one’s watching.

What is abhorrent is not only this, but the rationale DNA used to publish it—that all points of view, even those repugnant, have the right to be aired. This would be true if the newspaper showed the same generosity to every prejudice. For example, the reverse—since there have been terror by Hindu groups, would it carry a piece by a Muslim asking for Hindus to revert to being ‘overtaxed subjects’ of a Muslim ruler? Even paedophiles will have a view on why paedophilia should be allowed. Editors exist to draw the line.

Lately, there have been demands for a law to protect journalists from attacks. Swamy’s article shows why it should not be given without conditions—like the simultaneous enactment of a special law prosecuting journalists.

About The Author

Madhavankutty Pillai

Madhavankutty Pillai has no specialisations whatsoever. He is among the last of the generalists. And also Open chief of bureau, Mumbai  

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