By Justice (R) Markandey Katju

The Holocaust—the attempt by the Nazis to exterminate the Jews of Europe, in which they succeeded in massacring about six million Jews in gas chambers at Auschwitz and other concentration camps, as well as by other methods was the biggest industrial-scale crime in history.

After Hitler came to power in Germany in January 1933, systematic persecution of Jews, who constituted less than 1% of the total German population, began and continued until the end of the Second World War in 1945.

Though this persecution was state-sponsored, it was widely supported by many Germans who swallowed Nazi propaganda portraying Jews as evil people responsible for the misfortunes of Germany and the world.

Germany had been one of the most cultured societies in the world before 1933, having made great contributions to science, the arts, philosophy, and other fields. Yet, during Nazi rule, many Germans committed horrible crimes or acquiesced in the misdeeds of the Nazis.

How could such a horrendous and macabre transformation happen?

There were basically two reasons:

1. The power of modern propaganda

Modern propaganda, using the tools provided by modern technology, can be so powerful that it can convert human beings into beasts, stripping them of morality and critical, rational understanding.

2. The desire for comfortable lives

Most people want comfortable lives, and Hitler provided such lives to those who carried out his diabolical and devilish orders. Those few who refused to do so often faced terrible consequences.

Something Similar Is Happening in India

Since 2014, when the pro-Hindu BJP came to power, powerful propaganda has been unleashed against Indian Muslims, who constitute about 15% of India’s population, while Hindus constitute about 80%.

Muslims have been portrayed as bigots, terrorists, anti-national, and much else, often through a large section of the Indian media commonly referred to as the “godi media.”

Though they have not been sent to gas chambers, many Muslims have been lynched on false allegations of eating beef or selling cows for slaughter, since Hindus regard cows as sacred. Others have been beaten for not saying “Jai Shri Ram,” Ram being a Hindu god. The houses of many have been bulldozed, and other atrocities have been committed against them.

Those who support this propaganda are often rewarded with comfortable positions in state institutions, including appointments as Vice Chancellors and to other posts in educational institutions.

The bureaucracy and police, who are supposed to remain neutral, often turn a blind eye when atrocities are committed against Muslims, fearing that if they interfere they may be suspended by the government, transferred to a “punishment” post, or face worse consequences.

Media owners are mostly big businessmen who want to remain on the right side of the government because they receive several benefits by doing so. They have instructed journalists employed by them to give news a slant favourable to the government and to avoid criticising it.

Many of these journalists receive large salaries and perks, which have accustomed them to luxurious lifestyles. They would not like to lose these benefits by displeasing their employers, who could dismiss them if they did so.

They therefore carry out the instructions of their owners, just as Nazi officials carried out Hitler’s fiendish orders and were rewarded with comfortable lives and numerous benefits.

This is the truth of what has happened to India.

Author is a Jurist and Former Justice of Supreme Court of India