HAPPY FESTIVAL SEASON 2026!

HAPPY FESTIVAL SEASON 2026!

Currently, at the global level, it is felt that in India there is a trend of politicization of religion and festivals transforming traditional spaces of shared and collective celebration and spiritual reflection into instruments of electoral and ideological and communal polarization and mobilization of citizens as vote bank which dangerously undermines the democratic values.

Religious processions and festivals are weaponized by dominant rightists with provocative narratives, slogans, music, or rituals intentionally designed to trigger rivalry, clashes and deepen inter-community fear and polarization as vote bank politics.

Here is a French ciquain on religious fairs and festivals

Fairs

Loud, bright, intense

Shouting, marching, sparking

Fear grows, hearts turn cold

Votes

DUSSEHRA THIS YEAR: A POEM

The sacred path is paved with heavy pride,

Where ancient songs now carry thorns of hate.

The slogans scream to keep the souls divide,

And stir the embers of a bitter fate.

The drums beat loud to drown the voice of peace,

With sharp intent to stir the sleeping ire.

They bid the seeds of common trust to cease,

And set the neighbour’s fragile bond on fire

.

A festival becomes a chosen blade,

To cut the cords that hold the town in line;

For votes are sought in fear and barricade,

While dark designs in holy robes entwine.

The spirit lost beneath the hollow show,

To reap the spite that hungry leaders sow.