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Irreligious actions fuelling hate campaign
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Religion has always played a big part in the lives of the Sri Lankan community who are followers of four religions – Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. The teachings of these religions impact the lifestyles of their adherents to a great degree.
Sri Lanka is deeply spiritual in the sense that its citizens are greatly influenced by their respective religious leaders. Although, in another sense, despite the strong hold religion has on the people, in more recent times it has not been able to contain the deterioration of values in society. Hence the proliferation of narcotics, increase in the crime rate, the spread of bribery and corruption and the growing violence in society to name but a few of the social ills that afflict Sri Lankan society today.
In the context of the current challenges, faced by the country after April 21, the role played by religious leaders in guiding their flock to meaningfully address the fall out from the tragic terrorist attacks is critical. The country, which was shocked by the unexpectedness and the scale of the attacks, needs a great deal of spiritual succour and healing, which could be provided by the leadership of religious leaders.
The Catholic community which was at the receiving end of the brutal Easter Sunday attacks remained calm thanks to the leadership given by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjit and the Catholic and Christian clergy who played a big part in assuaging the emotions of the victims’ families as well as the larger Catholic community.
This leadership and direction given to the adherents of the Christian faith greatly contributed to the stoic reaction of the country in the face of the devastating terrorist attacks. The Security forces, greatly assisted by the Muslim community, dismantled the terrorist network and apprehended the remaining suspects so expeditiously that the President was able to announce at the end of three weeks that 99 percent of the suspects had been apprehended.
Unfortunately, after the three weeks of relative calm the evil elements in society began their destructive work and organised mobs went from village to village wreaking havoc on Muslim businesses, Muslim homes and Muslim places of worship.
This has been followed by an unprecedented hate campaign targeting the Muslim community that has yet to subside. Harassment of Muslim women in public places, a widespread and organised call to boycott Muslim businesses and shops, and similar actions have given rise to a sense of insecurity within the Muslim community.
Sri Lankan society, particularly in the villages, have always been provided spiritual guidance by religious leaders. The serene demeanour that is characteristic of the clergy of all faiths as well as their manner of addressing the faithful or their flock has rubbed off on the largely Sinhala Buddhist villagers in the country.
In such a context, what is most surprising is the role currently being played by a few members of the Buddhist clergy who are acting in total violation of the law, spreading hate against the Muslims and poisoning the minds of unsuspecting innocent Sinhala Buddhists with scare stories that have no foundation in fact.
When Buddhism is known not to encourage even the killing of an ant, these religious figures are spewing hate laced with untruths and half truths in order to provoke and mislead the gullible public.
In addition to the hate campaign, these religious personalities are attempting to influence investigations by influencing witnesses, holding press conferences as well as demonising Muslims.
These religious figures are aiding and abetting communal politicians who, having an eye on upcoming elections, continue to stir the pot of hate in the belief that it will help them in their electoral fortunes. What is disturbing, however, is that apart from the falsehoods that they are spreading, the choice and style of language and their rough demeanour is hardly befitting the calling of a religious personality who is required to provide spiritual succour and guidance to his followers.
Undoubtedly the Superiors of these errant religious personalities must be squirming in embarrassment at the behaviour of these monks, but seem to be powerless to reign them in despite their flagrant violation of Buddhist teachings.
Sri Lankans who have lived in harmony with Buddhists, as well as the Buddhist clergy, for centuries know the inherent virtues of their compatriots, but not so the world at large. By their deplorable behaviour they will create the wrong image internationally that they are representative of the Sinhala Buddhist culture when the contrary is true.
Additionally, these spewers of hate are breaking the law with impunity. The Emergency regulations, the Penal Code and the ICCPR Act do not seem to touch them, although those who are charged with lesser offences are brought before the law expeditiously.
Unfortunately, the Government seems to be in a state of paralysis and is not taking sufficient action to bring this wave of hate to a halt. Consequently, in addition to the harm caused to the Muslim community, the actions of Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thero might contribute to bringing about a reversal of the benefit that accrued to the country through the end of the armed conflict.
The Thero is showing some newfound concern for the Tamils of the North and East, and attempting to drive a wedge between the Tamils and Muslims. He visited the North soon after his fast in Kandy and urged the Tamils to unite with the Sinhalese. He claimed that if both communities got together, they would have ninety percent of the vote, and therefore determine the outcome of an election.
Thereafter he went to the East and joined hand with the Tamil community which was demanding a separate Divisional Secretariat for Kalmunai North. Through these actions, apart from trying to create a rift between the two communities, he is paving the way for the division of the country.
This is indeed ironic coming from an individual who claims that it was the leadership given by him in marching to Mavil Aru when the LTTE closed the sluice gates depriving water for farmers in the area that contributed to the defeat of the LTTE in May 2009.
(javidyusuf@gmail.com)