Learn from Ram Navami clashes

In both states, ruled by parties opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the flare-ups have stoked a political blame game between the state government and the BJP. This is an avoidable eventuality. On Ram Navami, clashes were also reported from Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka, indicating that these were localised breaches in law and order, and should be treated as such. The authorities are responsible for ensuring the security of religious processions and safeguarding the right of people to practise the faith of their choice. At the same time, the administration has the task of ensuring communal amity, and not letting the law and order situation deteriorate through provocative rumours, slogans or gestures. The police, therefore, must strive to rise above the partisan rancour shrouding these incidents, ensure that those responsible for the violence are booked without fear or favour, and gaps in arrangements exposed by the disturbances are plugged on priority. At the same time, political parties would be well advised to take a step back from the issue.

In the run-up to the general elections next year, India is likely to see a surge in efforts to exploit communal rifts and engineer polarisation for politically expedient reasons, especially by fringe elements and leaders. Such attempts, however, weaken the country’s social fabric. It is, therefore, contingent on the political class and the law enforcement establishment to stick to constitutional tenets, and not allow violence, or polarisation in the name of faith.