Everybody is entitled to formulate their opinions but what counts the most is on what basis one forms an opinion. Be it the practices or the superstitions; one should always realize his purpose behind his practices. As quoted by one of the greatest authors, one has to start his day and end it by only asking WHY? Ideologies vary from person to person, community to community, region to region and nation to nation but the roots and the concept remains the same no matter where they are practiced or followed. Be it the ideologies of the ancient times or the modern superstitions, history has evidence as how ideologies have changed the fates of the societies of a number of nations. A seed germinated in the mind of a philosopher grows into the huge tree with strong roots that provide the shade to the whole society. An ideology can either make a society or break a society. Be it democracy, anarchy or dictatorship; it’s all about the ideology.
Here are the top 10 atrocities committed that have been influenced by ideologies that have changed the face of many nations.
1. Stalin
Known all over the world, Joseph Stalin has always had his way and say in everything. Renowned for his brutal acts, Hitler per say is proven to be as equal as or even worse than Hitler. As his famous quote states, ‘If a person dies, that is loss whereas if a thousand people die; it’s just statistics’. Be his tactics during the world war or his Communist rule, he emerged as a sole leader for he made sure he had no opposition. Blinded with power; he went till any extent to save his nation. The great Famine, which was started by his Communist principles of De-kulakization has claimed countless (thousands) of lives. With the help of his secret agency; NKVD- he ran entire nation. Ideology, too dangerous a term to be used.
2. Hitler
As common as Jesus, Hitler has revolutionized the face of History. Be his atheism policies or his unknown hatred for Jews, his ideologies have costed not just lives but the economic reforms of a number of nations which are still recovering till date. The roots of World War II, the roots of hatred, the roots of devastation of economy, lives and nations, it all germinated in one man’s brain. His sole ideology led to the massive destruction of not only Nazi Germany but the whole world. Millions of people were killed in the holocausts, torture chambers, lives were too serious to be taken. One of the best examples of the atrocities resulted by the influence of the ideologies.
3. Mao Zedong
One of the eminent and influential rulers, world has ever known. Yet, another leader known for his Communist ideologies, Mao Zedong has revolutionized the concept of the practice of Communism and its consequences. With his sole idea of one party socialist party governed by Communist Government, The Great Leap Forward has taken its roots and has resulted in the deadliest consequences. The number of lives lost has no account. Communism is one such ideology which looks good on theory but has no value in practical approach. In the craze of rapid industrialization, China was asked to stop producing grains and produce only iron and steel. With such unpragmatic solutions, the Chinese have suffered all their lives under one man’s rule. His atrocities had no bounds. Hundreds of thousands of people died of hunger, mal nutrition, over working, torture, etc. One ideology has costed way too many lives.
4. Osama -bin-ladin
One of the most dreaded terrorists of the world. This 27th kid of his mother has created history all over again. He solely shook the whole world. With the effect of world Trade centre in 2001, the terrorist organizations have spread like wild fire. With the American forces sniffing all over the world, his ideology of Jihad, the holy war has shaken the world from its foundation. With the collapse of world trade centre and a number of other blasts, his ideal brain had revolutionized the world all over again. Truly, an idea can change your life!
5. Omar-Al-Bashir
An anti-government socialist whose ideology mainly revolved around over-throwing of the then democratically elected Prime Minister of Sudan, Sadeq al-Mahdi. Once he gained power, he had no turning back. He royally dissolved the Parliament, banned all the political parties; all the ‘democratic’ supporters were shown their place. He was then asked to be known and is recognized as the Prime Minister and the chief of his state. His main ideology was his crave and greed for power which led him breaks his moral principles and slit the throats of millions of innocents.
6. Kim Jong-Il
The name that sends chills down the spines of the North Koreans. The late Kim Jong-il have given night mares to millions of people. His rule has and will be a significant part of the history. The 69 year old was capable of anything and everything. Drawing the legacy from his father, he came to power after his democratically elected father Kim Jong-sun died. While he dined on lavish culinary delicacies, more than 43% under the age of 5 were malnourished. The innocent civilians and the citizens have been deprived of their basic stand of living and freedom of speech rights. All the communication services (mobiles and emails) were closely monitored with minimal access to internet as per the favoring political parties. His ideology of power, be it power over people or the nuclear power; over hundreds of thousands of people have been exploited and killed. Over 200,000 prisoners were alone captured in labor camps where they were starved and tortured to death. Indeed, a truly ‘expensive’ ideology.
7. Isaias Afewerki
Just like the name, his ideology too, was in a labyrinth. Known for his history to have liberated his country, today, the same citizens are being deployed of their freedom- an idealistic comrade turned dictator. With no formal constituency, every male from the age of 18 is forced to join national services and are killed or tortured in jail. Women belong to the lowest strata of the society and have no say in any form. Media, in every form is totally banned after the excruciating torture of thousands of journalists and activists. Be it hunger, poverty, curb of freedom of press, human rights; Eritrea is known for its tragic rule. With the ideology of open democracy, it has turned into ideological rationalization which has costed a lot of lives.
8. Islam Karimov
Yet again, Communism struck back! The honorable president of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov. Serving his third term in the office, his communistic approach has its own drawbacks. The press both activists and journalists who do not follow the accepted form of Islam are often tortured to death. Till date, there are more than 7000 prisoners who are being brutally tortured to death. One of the most important rules under his regime is that every season, regardless of your stature, every university student, teacher, civilians, common people are made to produce cotton under in-humane conditions. The citizens could only hope for the end of his communist regime.
9. Jogwa
The profession of seeking alms. Practiced in and around Maharashtra, Karnataka and the north of Andhra Pradesh in India, Jogwa has its own consequences for its ideology has been misinterpreted with time. In Jogwa clan, men are known as Jogta and females are known as Jogti. The ideology was supposed to highlight the significance and value of the DEVDASIS who used to serve the sacred deity. With the passage of the devdasis began entertaining the nobles and thus, were known as brothels. Foreseeing the consequences, the devdasis were out casted for years. With the concept of Jogwa, this concept was highly revived and sustained. Throughout the regions, if a girl has matte (tangled blocks of hair) is found in her hair, she is made to get married to the god and is bound to serve the deity for the rest of her life and is not entitled to lead a normal life. On the other hand, if men suffer blood in urination, they are as well married to the deity and are supposed to wear the attire of a woman (saree, bangles, bindi, etc.) and lead the rest of their lives. To lead and sustain their lives, the jogwa clan goes about seeking alms, dance to impress the deities and is bound to remain that way. The females tend to suffer a lot of itchy scalp and other hair problems as they are not allowed to touch their hair for the rest of their lives. Hundreds of people gave up their lives unable to bear the societal pressures.
10. Frank Bainimarama
The ruling dictator of Fiji is no where left behind. Having been in the power for 6 years, Frank Bainimarama has a history of one the most brutal rulers ever. Be it his tortures, extortions, exploitations, murders, theft; he has his own way to deal with things. Known for his dictatorship in Fiji, there have been a number of intimidations and arrests of the innocent civilians. Nature has always its vengeance coming, for decades there have been dictators whose ideology proves to be a bane to a number of innocent people.
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