Those who add hatred in drinking water
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India is heading for a more acute heatwave than of previous years, especially in the northwestern states. Meteorologists have warned about a dozen extremely severe heat waves between April and June. Parched farmlands are cracking up, just as cattle, birds and humans scramble for quenching thirst. The heartbreaking sight of housewives in Maharashtra’s Borichwadi village of the Nashik district jumping into dry wells, risking their lives, for a pail of water testifies to the severity of the summer.
There is a long-running tradition of erecting tents near bazaars, masjids, gurudwaras, mosques and temples in the North Indian cities and towns to protect people from the scorching sun. Inside, passers-by are treated to an array of drinks including Lassi, milk sherbet and lemon water, to cool their mind and body. Not money, but smiles and prayers are accepted in return. Although drinking from public taps and wells can still cost Dalits their lives and dignity in India, these places are out of bounds for such prejudices. Whatever the drink is, it will contain a cooling mixture called Rooh Afsa, a concoction that a Unani physician (hakim) named Hafiz Abdul Majeed prepared a century ago when he saw people fainting in the summer heart. Despite the invasion of two American cola companies into Indian soft drink market, nearly eliminating local brands and regional drinks, the acceptance or market value of Rooh Afsa as the summer drink of the Indian subcontinent for 119 years has not diminished even by a drop. Although the Hamdard Dawakhana (pharmacy) founded by Hakeem Abdul Majeed markets hundreds of medicines, it is Rooh Afsa has that has become synonymous with the word ‘sharbat’ outshining the popularity of both the founder and the institution.
Submitted to the love of God, Hamdard Dawakhana uses the proceeds from the sale of Rooh Afsa and medicines for charitable, religious, moral and educational activities. Hamdard institutions remain as centres of excellence in the field of health and education in the country. Ramdev, the notorious quack doctor, who has faced legal action for adulterating medicines and food products alongside selling medicines by making false claims that endanger human life and advertising them in media, recently launched a sharbat under the banner of his pharmaceutical company. Rather than highlighting the quality of his product, the master of deceitful tactics tried to gain business by raising allegations against the number one sharbat in the market. The allegation was they were using the money from the sale of sharbat to wage ‘jihad’( religious struggle). ‘Jihad’ has become the word for phobia in the Sangh Parivar-imperialist media narratives. The manufacturers of Rooh Afsa approached the High Court after his remark that ‘If you buy that sharbat, mosques and madrasas will be built, like love jihad’ this is a Sarbat jihad’. Observing that the remarks were unjustifiable and shocking, the Delhi High Court ordered to immediately remove the videos containing these remarks from social media. However, Ramdev and his gang went on campaigning with similar allegations, proving that the hateful forces in the country are above the courts. Criticizing the contempt of court, the judge in disappointment and helplessness said that Ramdev is in his own world, not subject to anyone's restrictions.
Ramdev is not just promoting a product, but is apparently spreading hate propaganda to pave the way for division and polarization among the people and society. Appearing for Roof Afsa, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi pointed this out in the court. The Supreme Court has also strongly directed to take strict action against hate preachers regardless of who they are. With Sangh Parivar fascism gaining grip in India, people like Ramdev will go unpunished despite challenging the Constitution and the Supreme Court. No matter receiving criticism from the court once, Ramdev and his ilk will continue their vile activities. The scars and drought from the summer may heal with the change of seasons. The water bodies will overflow again. But the wounds created by hate preachers will continue to hurt the country for generations to come.
