Amit Sinha for BeyondHeadlines
The business of business is business, said Milton Friedman, the celebrated American free market economist. Why then should businessmen discuss such distinctly ‘non-business’ themes such as secularism? The answer lies partly in the implied other half of Friedman’s statement: “The business of government is government”. So if government governs well, business should be free to concentrate on business.
But what happens when governments don’t govern? Or they mis-govern? And when there is such a failure of government, leading to disruption in civil life, is it sensible for business to say: “our business is only business”, and then to bury their heads in the sand and debris of the rubble created by almost two weeks of unlawful and barbaric behaviour? Because, when labour flees and markets close and consumers stop buying, what future do our business have?
Sweetener Business Turned Salty
The riot-hit Muzaffarnagar, known for its Jaggery (Gur) Mandi, is losing business to the tune of about Rs 2 crore per day due to closure. It happens to be Asia’s biggest wholesale market for the sweetener. It is just a wishful thinking that riots in Uttar Pradesh come and go like the occasional hurricane off the coast of Florida.
Jaggery from the city is supplied to whole of North and West India. Different shapes and quality of jaggery available here like Chaquoo, Khurpa, Ladoo, Panchera and Ruscutt are in high demand. As per a Muzaffarnagar Mandi Samiti report, 1.1 million quintal of average annual business is sure to hampered by 20-30%. Moreover, the fateful riot surfaced ahead of the highest business season beginning October. Expert says as the supply has completely stopped, country will witness a surge of 15-20% in prices.
With recent communal riots and trailing tension Muzaffarnagar has been wounded deeply and the business here is bleeding profusely. From sugarcane producer to processing units and the market, the whole cycle of this Gur economy is run by lower to middle income group, is severely affected. Needless to say these fateful incident has sown seeds of distrust between the two communities is sure to affect the business for a long time.
Muslims – An Intrinsic Part of Indian Economy
Indian economy has largely been dependent on this section (Muslims). Artisan and natural skills are perhaps god-gifted to them. From road side auto repairing shop to top notch automobile companies, from carpet making to awesome tailoring, barbering and innumerous industries which get back-interface support are highly contributed by youths from this society. At the first instance these all might termed primarily as part of their livelihood. But, were this workforce withdraw themselves from related industries and demand naukri from government in this job-hungry nation, have anyone got an iota of idea about the ensuing dent to the economy and society as well? Whatever be the intrinsic applaudable qualities of our Muslim bros the exterior they silhouette, is a perfect metaphor of intolerance, they may disagree to accept, but it happens.
Our (Sickular) Secular Democracy
Democracy has gone so berserk in India that there are serious people who think a dose of dictatorship would be good for the country. A large section of political pandits do argue this to be the strongest reason helps the background of Modi’s incarnation on Indian political plank. The polarisation of Hindutva has never been so magnetic that a country with such a varied hues and colors could be driven on it (Hindutva) alone. More than this, it is those self proclaimed secular netas who continuously scared this minority on the name of communalism and keep themselves politically buoying for quite long. On this basic human psychology and they harvested minority votes.
The Resistance
People do say that this minority group is intolerant and fights more. I do agree but argue remains as fighting spirits is the prerequisite for a healthy democracy. It is another angle of the story that their fighting spirit has never been steered to attack evils like illiteracy, poverty and hunger widely strewn in their society. In such a situation, it may be difficult for us to grasp how things are in other democracy where the economy has opened up for people as a whole but politics remained closed selectively. This scenario is like ajaring the door of a house and allowing folks selectively to go outside. The news is that a whole lot of people are looking outside and raising demands for a whole lot of things, and that the government is resorting to unprecedented ways to keep its power intact.
Despite contrast in religious values, the fundamental texture of this nation remains intact. People of all castes, creed and religion are equally bonded with the nation. The Sunday rally at Rewari in Rajasthan has witnessed some interesting things to hear. By appreciating the Army, Modi underscored that Indian Army was the only true secular unit. All minority and majority creed works together at borders and everyone got equal opportunity to prove their calibre. Every year, a large number of minority got special recognition for gallantry, without any discrimination. It is the texture of our army, our nation and our people which can’t be compartmentalise on these factors. Whether it be Nehru, Vajpayeee or Modi, they will have to go ahead hands-in-hand with everyone. They are bonded to do so.
