Stunning changes in social morals and attitudes
I am flabbergasted, stunned and horrified at the turn of events and subsequent changes taking place in our society in morals, attitudes and well, in every sphere of life. The reference is not about the modern gadgets or gizmos.
As a boy born during the pre-war (Second WW) period I had the advantage to witness social changes in the early days of British rule. We were untouchables for the Brahmins and all farm workers were untouchables to us. High caste men and women never did farm work even when some of them were engaged in unsocial activities. A well meaning Maharaja , Shree Chithira Tirunal of Travancore and the Communist Party changed all that.
Those days, bright men from well-to-do families took a fancy towards Marxism. Without the work done by dedicated Communists, it is hard to imagine what would have been the condition of the underprivileged. They were idealists committed to their cause and above all humane.
Their belief in Marxism was total to a fault . One of my step-brothers who was a Communist stayed away from his home on the day of ‘Sabarimala puja’ which was an event in the family. Now, I see Communist workers among the gang coming for collections for the temple festival! During the fifties, communist leaders were heroes of the young. In M N Govindan Nair’s wedding with the daughter of Dr. K M Panicker, the entire Boys’ High School students were at the public meeting which was the venue. Once, Thikkurishi, who was the undisputed superhero of Malayalam films, led a Left election rally at Kollam.
Another thing that should be of concern is the attitude towards Muslim community and vice versa. I live in a town where the late Thangalkunju Musaliar became a great industrialist and philanthropist from humble beginnings. A majority of cashew nut factory workers were impoverished Hindu women. He had left a great tradition among Muslims of Kollam.
“Kafir” was a term used only for non-believing Muslims and the word ‘Jehad’ was unknown! When I had some trouble with my boss while working outside Kerala, all my Malayali colleagues and others deserted me. It was my senior, a Hyderabadi Muslim officer who stood by me. In my Bhopal days, my college-going daughter used to cover her head with her ‘Chunni’ or ‘pallu’ whenever ‘Azaan’ sounded from nearby mosques. She said it has become a habit since in her college all her Muslim classmates did it on similar occasions joined by non-Muslim girls.
During Diwali days, my Muslim colleague -Mr. Qureshi- used to go on a shopping spree like any Hindu, buying up illuminations, sweets and crackers. His kids loved it and he didn’t want to divide them from their Hindu friends and neighbours. I wish all of us grew up to become kids! Isn’t it an irony that these days, murderers leave evidence that can cause communal violence?
(The views in the article are the writer’s own).