The Deficit of Karuna in India and Empathy in America

In recent years, two parallel narratives have emerged in India and the United States, each reflecting a troubling erosion of compassion in the socio-political spheres of these nations.

In India, the rise of the Hindu right wing has been accompanied by a perceived deficit of karuna—the Sanskrit term for compassion, rooted in empathy and kindness toward all beings. In the United States, a similar phenomenon is observable among segments of the Christian right, where empathy often appears subordinated to ideological rigidity and cultural exclusion.

This article explores how these deficits manifest, their shared characteristics, and the implications for the moral fabric of both societies.

The Hindu Right Wing and the Waning of Karuna

India, historically celebrated for its pluralistic ethos and spiritual traditions emphasizing ahimsa (non-violence) and karuna, has witnessed a shift in its public discourse. The Hindu right wing, driven by a vision of cultural nationalism, has prioritized a monolithic identity over the syncretic diversity that once defined the nation. This shift has manifested in policies, rhetoric, and social attitudes that often sideline minorities, particularly Muslims, Christians, and lower-caste communities.

Karuna, a cornerstone of Indian philosophical traditions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, calls for empathy toward all, irrespective of differences. Yet, incidents of mob lynchings, communal violence, and the marginalization of dissenters suggest a departure from this ideal. For instance, the normalization of hate speech targeting Muslims—often justified as protecting “Hindu pride”—reflects a selective application of compassion, reserved for those within the fold of majoritarian identity.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and new Waqft law widely criticized for disproportionately affecting Muslims, further illustrate how policy can institutionalize exclusion, sidelining the empathetic imperative of karuna.

This deficit is not universal among Hindus or even the right wing, but its visibility in public life—amplified by social media and political rhetoric—has reshaped India’s image.

The “New India” often projects strength and cultural homogeneity, but at the cost of the compassionate interconnectedness that once bridged its diverse communities.

The Christian Right and the Erosion of Empathy in the U.S.

Across the Atlantic, a parallel dynamic unfolds within segments of the American Christian right. Christianity, at its core, emphasizes love, forgiveness, and empathy—principles embodied in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Yet, in contemporary America, certain factions of the Christian right have aligned with political movements that prioritize cultural and ideological battles over these foundational values.

IThe Christian right’s focus on issues like immigration, reproductive rights, and traditional family values has often translated into policies and attitudes that lack empathy for the marginalized. For example, the harsh rhetoric surrounding immigration—labeling migrants as “invaders” or “criminals”—clashes with the biblical call to “welcome the stranger.”

The 2018 family separation policy at the U.S.-Mexico border, supported by some Christian leaders as a deterrent, starkly illustrated this empathy deficit, as children were torn from their parents in the name of border security.Similarly, the Christian right’s stance on issues like healthcare access or poverty alleviation often leans toward individualism, sidelining the collective compassion central to Christian teachings.

The prosperity gospel, embraced by some evangelical communities, equates wealth with divine favor, implicitly dismissing the struggles of the poor as moral failings.

This selective empathy—extended to those who align with a particular cultural or ideological vision—mirrors the exclusionary tendencies observed in India’s Hindu right wing.

Shared Patterns: Compassion Subordinated to Ideology

Despite their distinct cultural and religious contexts, the Hindu right wing in India and the Christian right in the U.S. share striking similarities in their compassion deficits:

1) Majoritarian Identity Politics:
Both movements emphasize a dominant cultural identity—Hindu in India, white Christian in the U.S.—often at the expense of minorities. This creates an “us vs. them” dichotomy, where empathy is reserved for the in-group, while outsiders are demonized or marginalized.

2) Selective Moral Outrage:
In India, the Hindu right wing may rally against perceived threats to Hindu traditions (e.g., cow slaughter) but remain silent on violence against minorities. Similarly, the Christian right may fiercely defend the sanctity of life in the context of abortion but show less concern for systemic issues like racial injustice or poverty. This cherry-picking of causes undermines universal compassion.

3) Weaponization of Religion:
Both groups invoke religious texts and symbols to justify exclusionary agendas. In India, the Ram temple movement has been framed as a reclamation of Hindu pride, often overshadowing the broader Hindu ethos of karuna. In the U.S., Christian nationalism portrays America as a “Christian nation,” sidelining the inclusive love preached by Christ

4).Amplification by Media and Politics: Social media in India fuels communal polarization, with viral videos and hashtags stoking fear and hatred. In the U.S., conservative media outlets often amplify narratives of cultural decline, framing empathy for outsiders as weakness. In both cases, political leaders exploit these divisions, prioritizing power over unity.

Implications for Society

The erosion of karuna in India and empathy in the U.S. has profound consequences. In India, the social fabric—woven from centuries of coexistence—frays as communities retreat into silos of mistrust. Economic inequality, already stark, worsens when compassion is absent from policy-making, leaving the vulnerable further behind. In the U.S., the empathy deficit deepens polarization, alienating minorities, immigrants, and progressives, while undermining the nation’s moral credibility on the global stage.Both societies risk losing the moral compass that once guided them.

India’s spiritual heritage, rich with teachings of interconnectedness, and America’s Christian legacy of love and justice are at odds with the exclusionary currents dominating their public spheres. Without a revival of compassion, both nations may spiral toward greater division and unrest.

A Path Forward

Reversing these deficits requires reclaiming the universal values at the heart of Hinduism and Christianity. In India, leaders and citizens must revive karuna by fostering dialogue across communities, ensuring policies reflect inclusivity, and challenging hate speech with narratives of unity.

Grassroots movements, like those led by interfaith activists, offer hope by modeling compassion in action.In the U.S., the Christian right must reconnect with the empathy of Christ’s teachings, prioritizing love over dogma. Churches can play a pivotal role by advocating for the marginalized—immigrants, the poor, and racial minorities—and rejecting the allure of political tribalism. Figures like Pope Francis, who consistently calls for empathy across divides, provide a blueprint for renewal.

Ultimately, both India and the U.S. stand at a crossroads. The deficit of karuna in New India and empathy in America’s Christian right reflects not just a failure of religion but a broader crisis of humanity.

By rediscovering compassion, both societies can reclaim their moral moorings, building futures where strength is measured not by dominance but by the depth of care for all.

This article draws parallels without equating the two contexts, respecting their unique histories and challenges. It aims to provoke reflection on how compassion, when sidelined, undermines the essence of any society, religious or otherwise.

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