In recent times, world has experienced a movement of populations across countries and continents on a scale as never before. Indeed, nowadays in many countries the population reflects a marked diversity.
This ‘globalisation’ has led to some benefits to countries and peoples but, when it comes to social integration, all doesn’t seem to go well. It has been observed that not all immigrants integrate well with the host community. The extent to which they integrate varies considerably, the problem of poor integration being much more significant in some countries and with some immigrant communities.
The failure to integrate, in turn, can lead to social discord. Sociologists have cited several factors responsible for this failure - educational and economic status, discrimination, family values, adverse upbringing, etc. In addition to these, a strong sense of cultural and/or religious identity also plays a significant role. Some immigrants, continuing to harbour total loyalty to the place from where they emigrated or loyalty to a notional state based on religious identity that transcends geo-political borders, refuse to identify themselves as citizens of the country where they are now domiciled, nor profess loyalty to it.
This refusal to integrate into the broader society, and issues of loyalty to the country in which the immigrant has chosen to live, are amongst the factors that can contribute to social discord. Hindus in society: Hindus have always recognised the role of the family in bringing up children to become law-abiding, responsible citizens, ensuring the children receive good education and acquire skills ad then, through hard work and enterprise, they achieve economic self-sufficiency. As citizens, aware of their social responsibilities, they contribute handsomely to the generation of wealth for the country, and to social welfare.
Hindus – a model of Co-Existence
Historically Hindus have practiced religious pluralism.
In Bhârat (India), despite being subjected repeatedly to invasions from outside, that led to subjugation, persecution and colonization, at no time did the Hindu 2 civilization indulge in religion-based wars, nor have the Hindus invaded other countries in order to take someone else’s land. On the contrary, this civilisation has given sanctuary to people fleeing religious persecution elsewhere - Syrian Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, Buddhists from Tibet, Hindus from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan, Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar, and Yezidis.
Looking globally, wherever Hindus have settled outside India, they have shown themselves as role-model on integrating into various, increasingly heterogeneous, societies, through - *Their loyalty to the state *Living peacefully and within the bounds of law *Regarding as crucial the role of family within the society *Contributing to the economy and welfare of the country *Promoting amity between people of different faiths *The fundamental creed of non-violence, and respect for women Hindus, when they settle in places away from the land of their birth, do not suffer from any conflict of loyalty. Like other Hindus settled in Britain, I regard myself as a British Hindu - Hindu, because of my spiritual faith, and the values I received from my culture, and British because, having domiciled here, I regard it as my country and give it my whole-hearted loyalty. What is it that makes a Hindu a model citizen who has no problems integrating within a multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-lingual, and multireligious society? In my opinion the answer is the Hindu concepts, enunciated thousands of years ago by our r’shis (seers), that all human beings on this planet are members of one global family – vasudhaiva kutumbhukam
The ancient Hindu scriptures have repeatedly extolled and promoted the concepts of Universalism - Inclusivism - Collectivism - Goodwill and amity towards all, and - Interdependence
In the shânti-pâth (prayer for peace): We remind ourselves of the interdependence of human beings On each other, on all living beings, flora as well as fauna, indeed on natural forces, on matter, space and ether - a concept that is now endorsed by scientists. We think of the one Supreme Being, which is common to all. In our daily prayers – we begin with sarvai-, sum-, sam, âno-, etc. which means we pray for the welfare of all, none excluded. Thus we are reminded to promote goodwill and amity towards everyone, not just within the Hindu fold.
Why have attempts to bring about social cohesion and integration not met with success, and what does Hindu ethos have to contribute to the national debate on achieving integration and social cohesion? Along the path to social cohesion, to overcome hurdles posed by:
1. Materialism and hedonism
2. Religious fanaticism and intolerance
3. Intolerance based on racial and ethnic identity
4. Intolerance based on the dogmatic secularism that rejects faith, our thinking needs to undergo a radical change.
It is now accepted that socio-economic factors, and factors of inequality, discrimination and injustice are part causative of social discord. Much progress has been made in addressing these issues, and work continues in this regard. However, the issue of religion remains a difficult and thorny one.
Religion, Identity and Integration – Core Issues
Certain issues of faith and faith-based identity can negatively impact on the integration of an immigrant within a new society; these need to be tackled head-on:
1. Religion, as commonly understood and practiced, includes an ethnic, historical, national, civilisational and cultural identity which may, and often does, lead to conflict between people belonging to different faiths. 4 • Faith should be a personal belief and practice that does not seek to invade someone else’s ‘space’.
2. Dogmatism of religion needs to give way to spirituality, making it possible for the state to be guided, when appropriate, but not to be dictated, by religions. • Faith and the State should function independent of each other in matters of governance and politics.
3. The concept of Exclusivism - ‘Mine is the only way’ / ‘my way is superior and, hence, it must prevail over all others’ – must be abandoned. We must be intolerant of Religion-based Intolerance. . ‘Tolerance’ needs now to progress to a healthy dialogue based on open-mind, introspection, a genuine acceptance of the ‘other’, and an amicable co-existence. • There should be no place for doctrines and dogmas that preach exclusivism and bigotry.
4. Freedom of Thought and Expression must be regarded as sacrosanct. Whilst religions and cultures must not be maligned, laws that forbid ‘Incitement to religious / racial hatred’ must be applied judiciously, making sure that healthy constructive criticism of cultures and faiths is not suppressed.
5. Within cultures and faiths, we need to give up thoughts and practices that are no longer appropriate / relevant to changing times. It is essential for ‘people of faith’ to debate their relevance and to accept changes that are needed. Staying in a ‘denial mode’ is not a healthy option.
6. We must happily share with each other ideas and practices that are beneficial to the ‘common good’.
Our ancient r’shis stated:...krunvanto vishwam âryam (ennoble the world with goodness). They also advised: ...â no bhadrâh.. ( let noble thoughts come to us from all sides ) ...yad bhadram tanna â suva..( may we acquire what is good / noble). I believe these Hindu tenets will help develop a mindset that promotes integration and social cohesion.
(Dr Bhan is the Ex President of VHP UK and Ex Co-Chair of Interfaith Network. This article is based on a talk given at a seminar in August 2016 in London. Full article can be accessed on website www.hssuk.org.uk)
