Bhagat Singh’s Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

Source– The post is based on the article “Bhagat Singh’s Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” published in “The Indian Express” on 29th September 2023.

Syllabus: GS1- Modern Indian history and personalities

News– The article explains the Bhagat Singh ideas about the principle of vasudhaiva kutumbakam

What are Bhagat Singfh ideas about the ideal of vasudhaiva kutumbakam?

Early in his life, Bhagat Singh was influenced by the ideal of vasudhaiva kutumbakam.

Bhagat Singh talks about social and political challenges in the realisation of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in ‘Vishwa Prem.‘ He was suspicious that under the current circumstances, achieving this ideal is very difficult.

In numerous articles, he talked about the issues such as communalism, hatred, violence, oppression, poverty, untouchability, and casteism.

According to him, the reality was that simply belonging to a particular religion is now considered sufficient reason to be viewed as an enemy by another religion.

He advocated for the elimination of divisions like those between the touchable and untouchable.

He rightly suspected that several self-proclaimed social reformers took a superficial stance on political matters.

What are challenges for India in adherence to the principlel of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam?

Indian society is deeply fractured by communal and caste-based animosities, fear, and violence. The corporate capitalist economic development has exacerbated existing inequalities.

The divisions within our nation run deep. A Tamil leader launched a venomous and incendiary attack on Sanatan Dharma (not Hindus).

The references made by influential leaders to “tukde tukde gangs” and calls like “desh ke gaddaron ko” contribute to an environment of division. India is witnessing an unrestrained demonization of the “other.”

The use of terms like “termites” for migrants, the incendiary messages conveyed during the Dharam Sansad saints, and the impunity enjoyed by them raise doubts about the commitment to the principle of vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the world is one family).

What is the way forward?

To win the hearts and minds of people having diverse and conflicting interests, Indians must adopt a Gandhian commitment to love, compassion, and non-violence.

The G20 declaration deplored all acts of religious hatred and stressed that it was time to bridge the trust deficit and usher in an era of cooperation. It is now imperative to align our noble aspirations with concrete actions on the ground.