Why would Muslims require advice on Islamic matters from
Hindutva forces?
-Dr. Abdul Ruff
Colachal
___________
True, Muslims, even if not all, need counselling from Islamic pundits
known as Ulema on how best to lead life so that their
Hereafter is secured for them. But it doesn't look tenable
that non-Muslims as well as anti-Muslims begin to advise the Muslims how to
live in non-Islamic nations so as to be seen as patriotic.
The proposition that Muslims are looked down upon by majority Hindus looks
ridiculous!
Let us not discuss who are the real patriots here.
Very close on heels of the proactive message of
Premier Narendra Modi suing pro-Muslim words uncharacteristic of
Hindutva parties that harp on communal clashes for Hindu
votes, the prime communal and essentially anti-national Siva Sena
party has issues a list of dos an don’ts to Indian Muslims
essentially asking them to behave.
Quite likely, the Siva
Sena and other ultra communal parties in secular India may have
been deeply worried about the fallout of pro-Muslims statements by
BJP leader in India because the Hindutva parties could lose its Hindu
vote banks in the country created by sheer hate politics. .
The Shiv Sena said
Narendra Modi has lauded Indian Muslims for their patriotism and also urged
Indian Muslims “not to let down” Modi after he praised the community for its
patriotism and love for the country in an interview.
Shiv Sena is damn sure
that all Hindutva outfit sin India will never give up their ultra and
aggressive Hindutva ideology. It said in an editorial in the party mouthpiece
‘Saamana’ that Modi has initiated a new chapter by giving a guarantee of the community’s
love for its motherland. Now, Muslims must not let him down”. Frowning on
Hindu hardliners, it said that by making this statement, Modi has not diluted
his staunch Hindutva ideology.
The editorial said the
entire minority community cannot be held responsible for the misdeeds of a
handful of Muslims indulging in terror activities. “Modi is the prime minister
of the country and of all communities and people…But, he has been always
painted as ‘anti-Muslim’ by pseudo-secularists of the country,” it argues.
Siva Sena claims
it owns tough “but fair Hindutva” propounded by the Shiv Sena patriarch and
founder late Bal Thackeray, like other Indian politicians, used cricket
to boost his own and party image. Siva Sena also claims that Bal Thackeray always
was not against Muslims. But, always opposed those who celebrated Pakistani
cricket team’s win against India because Hindus blast semi explosives
when and make aggressive demonstrations in Muslim localities when India
by chance defeats Pakistan. Sena considers those who showcase aggressivelytheir majority Hindutva character by insulting and
terrorizing the minority Muslims are patriots while those who defend Islam are
automatically traitors
Yet, Sena claims that it
has the highest respect for nationalist Muslims.
Modi has spoken well of
Indian Muslims in order to prevent them from supporting Islamic fundamentalist
but terror groups like Al-Qaeda and quite likely a reply to Washington
seeking Indian military support for NATO terror operations in Islamic world.
The Shiv Sena blames
Congress for its vote bank politics that harmed the genuine Muslim interests in
the country. lamented that certain communal elements attempted to create a
schism between the 20-crore Muslims and other communities for their vested
political interests. They were pampered by Congress and made to feel like
“princes” while certain Muslim leaders relying on numbers, resorted to
political bargaining – which is nothing short of terror, it said.
In extending its
advisory list for Indian Muslims, the Sena party has even boldly called
upon Muslims to sing ‘Vande Mataram’ in tandem with the rest of the country,
put a halt to the “alleged anti-national teachings” imparted in ‘madrassas’ and
discard the “minority community veil” (burqa) which would result in many
political shops downing shutters permanently.
It is indeed too much on
the part of Sena communal outfits and this amount sot interference in the
religious freedoms of Muslims as major minority community of India.
Don’t these Hindu communal
fanatics know that the Madrassas impart Islamic education, including teaching
of Holy Quran and Holt Prophet as well as history of Islam? How does it bother
them? Why should burqa that protects womanhood from evil eyes worry the
communal Hindus so much?
Once the politics of
religion ends, India has the potential to progress and become an influential,
global superpower, the Shiv Sena said. However, this is hampered by the
ignorance and non-cooperation of the community, who are influenced by certain leaders
bent on keeping the community “in the ditch of backwardness”. ‘Saamana’
appealed to the Muslims to get on to the national mainstream and not let down
Modi for his appreciation of the community
Today, they would ask Muslims to sing vande
maderum , tomorrow they will ask them to drink rum and later on, they
would instruct Indian Muslims to change their names into Hindu ones
and finally ask them to convert into Hinduism if they want to live in India
with life. Perhaps, even worse can happen as Hindutva forces would face the
threat of existence in a new, really secular society and eventually close their
Hindutva shops for good.
It should be mentioned
here that aggressive religious propaganda for
Hindu votes with loud stereo noises by misusing temple celebrations has badly influenced even
Muslims who now try to emulate the loud stereo
noise culture in Mosque functions. .
.
For communal harmony to take roots in
secular India, there should be mutual counseling and advising. When
Hindutva Siva Sena urges Muslims to sing “vande mandaram” to
identify themselves with India and Hinduism, the Hindus also should say
“Laailaaha Illallah, Muhammadarrasulallah” as a positive gesture towards
Muslims so that mutual harmony becomes real and credible and sustainable.
Whether or not Siva Sena boys recite
the purely Islamic commitment “Laailaaha Illallah, Muhammadarrasulallah” in order to uphold
communal harmony, they are not supposed insult Muslims just because
the government, media, judiciary, police,
military, bureaucracy,
intelligence etc are on their side. True Muslims do
not expect it at all.
Hindutva parties like BJP, Siva Sena etc should try not to
complicate the already weakened life of ordinary Muslims further
by communally motivated rhetoric made for
poll purposes.
Majority arrogance towards minorities is not good for any nation in the long
run. That Muslims are treated worse
than foreigners in India would fit well for the patriotic image extreme Hindus
want to sell to Muslims . .
Both hands must unite in order make a sensibly
audible clap, it is said. Time has come for a credible patch up
and premier Narendra Modi's positive statement should serve
as the starting point in generating
truly secular democratic traditions
in India.
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