KOLKATA: India’s leading economist and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen said India was facing a possible collapse as a nation.
He made the remarks while addressing an inauguration ceremony of a research center in Kolkata. He said, “India is facing a crisis today and it can result in the possible collapse of the Indian nation.”
India could not be the property of Hindus alone but belonged to all communities, he added.
Sen said that people should work towards maintaining unity and added that divisions should not be made along religious lines.
“I think if someone asks me if I’m scared of something, I would say yes. There is a reason to be afraid now. The current situation in the country has become a cause for fear,” he said.
“I want the country to be united. I don’t want division in a country that was historically liberal. We have to work together,” he added.
Sen further said, “The world came to know of Upanishads (philosophical-religious texts of Hinduism) because of a Muslim Prince. Dara Sikhoh, Shah Jahan’s son, learnt Sanskrit and translated some of the Upanishads into Persian.”
Asserting that India cannot belong only to the Hindus or to the Muslims, Sen stressed the need to stay united in line with the country’s traditions.
“India cannot be (a country) of Hindus only. Again, Muslims alone cannot make India. Everyone has to work together,” he added.
