Religion is a major factor that causes poverty and hunger in India. Home to a socially divisive caste system,
though virtually eliminated within major cities, India still discriminates
harshly in rural villages. There are designations
given to the lowest caste, consisting of those formerly associated with the
designation of “untouchables” amongst others. The untouchables often receive the dregs and
leftovers of the upper class’s meals, and sometimes do not receive anything. With the major members of the upper class
holding on to a majority of the food and wealth, members of the lower castes
are beyond starvation.
The country of India is home to
religions such as Hinduism, Islam,
Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
“The majority of the country identifies with the Hindu faith, about 82
percent. Islam represents about 12
percent of all Indians, while Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism
represent much smaller percentages of people – 2.5 percent, 2 percent, .7
percent, and .5 percent, respectively.”
(Ghosh) The multiplicity of
religions in India can contribute to the poverty issues in the area. With religious conflicts, particularly
between Hindus and Muslims, poverty is increased as one religion may withhold food
and other necessities from another. For example, Muslims, whose religion is
centered on charity as one of the five pillars of the faith, restrict help to
only other Muslims and choose not to aid other religions. Resentment by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, is
clearly sown in this religious exclusion by Muslims.
Religion, despite being a factor of major poverty
issues, can also be a platform for major social change in India. The multiplicity of religions can be used to
the advantage of the Indian people, if they only realize that religious rituals
and ways of worship are different, but that devotion remains the same. Taking the example of the Muslim charter that
serves only other Muslims, it is evident that if Muslims help alleviate the
problems of other Indian citizens by aiding them as well, religious tensions will
dissipate and the issue of poverty can begin to recede. Beginning at the individual, religion can
help be a force for major change, if only Indians are willing to look beyond
the confines of rituals and traditions and are willing to help one another on a
devotional basis rather than a ritualistic one.
Works Cited:
Ghosh, Bobby. Poverty in India: An Empirical Analysis. Docstoc. Web. 13 May 2012. <http://www.docstoc.com/docs/49827803/Examining-Poverty-in-India>.
Stacy Castillo
ReplyDeleteRadhika your references and your opinions are very true. Religion can be seen as a solution for all the poverty and hunger in India. Religion can only be the solution if people use it correctly and practice the right beliefs to help the less fortunate. Religion is also seen as a major cause of the poverty and hunger in India because the discrimination caused by it affects the country and the views of the people extremely. Religion can cause people to discriminate against those who don't have the same views which in turn can cause people to not help the less fortunate. The Islam beliefs are a perfect example of this discrimination and show how religion can cause poverty and hunger in India.
Rhadika, although you bring up factual evidence, I feel that your resolution is easier said than done. The multiplicity of religions in India segregate the people and give the Indian people the mentality of helping people of the same religious affiliation, rather than people from the same country. However, their mentality is based off of their religious perspective. Had they followed the moral codes, isolation would not be an issue. The Indian people follow their moral codes, not religious practices, in their own interpretation. Therefore, a religious solution is impossible because of the individuals set mentality.
ReplyDeleteMichael
ReplyDeleteRadhika, I absolutely agree with your issues on religion in India. The fact that these religions' traditions make them resent each other is an important fact that must be rectified in India. After all, all of these religions have a focus that all life is sacred and should be cherished, so why not the lives of other religious groups. For example, el Fadl says that "not only does the Qu'ran endorse a principle of diversity, but it also presents human beings with a formidable challenge, and that is to'know each other'"(Fadl, ch. 10). So the idea that religions should work together is not only plausible, but expected in many religions,especially in Islam.
Work Cited
Abou, El Fadl, Khaled. The Great Theft: Wrestling Islam from the Extremists. New York, NY: HarperSanFrancisco, 2005. Print. Chapter 10.
Radhika Kapadia
ReplyDeleteStacy, thank you for agreeing with me on my point. The idea that religion can foster a change within the Indian country to solve its major issues incites hope for the people.
Catherine, I do believe that the Indians' firmly rooted traditions in their respective faiths are hard to reconcile, but I believe that it is possible with the institution of arbitrators from each faith. I agree that it definitely is easier said than done, but it remains one of the few solutions that will effect a long lasting change.
Mike, your reference to El Fadl provides scholarly evidence of the situation regarding religious animosity. Your idea that it should be expected by other religions to help one another is definitely a point that I overlooked and find to be extremely helpful in providing a tangible solution to poverty in India.