Is there Unity in our Diversity?

People from different background and culture participated in India's struggle for freedom. The national leaders, particularly Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Azad and Bose had coined the slogan unity in diversity There are numerous others who were also involved. Be it Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Jain and Sikhs everybody had a single identity of being an Indian. It should be understood that all of us have multiple identities religious, linguistic, cultural, regional and caste identities. No one can claim single identity. One who demands single identity i.e. national identity does not recognize the reality but during India's struggle for freedom no one thought in that manner they just thought of India's independence. Modern India presents a picture of unity in diversity where people of different faiths and beliefs live together in peace and harmony. Even today,India remains one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world.

We all heard the war of words between Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and the Shiv Sena over the issue of north Indian migrants in Mumbai . Mr.Gandhi maintained that India is for all Indians and that the National Security Guards (NSG) personnel who saved the lives of hundreds of Mumbaikars during the 26/11 terror attacks in 2008 were from all over the country, while Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray accused him of insulting Marathi policemen who were killed in the attacks.

Is this what our country stands for? Is this the message to be passed to the new generation?

Unity in Diversity' has been the distinctive feature of our culture. To live peacefully has been our motto and this motto has helped us to achieve independence. As history tells us that there has been active participation from people of different caste and religion. In our struggle for freedom people from different communities participated keeping one thing in mind that they all are Indians first.

But now,does this thought have any significance?If it does,why are people allowing organisations like Shiv Sena and MNS to spread the seeds of division and hatred among them?