Brahmin and Mullah

The minority issue

Mohammad A. Zaman, M.D. writes from Raleigh, NC, USA.

A COMMENT: I grew up in a small village in Sylhet, half of which was Hindu. I played with them. I grew up with them. I made friends with them. As I went to college, some of my best friends were Hindus. Durga and Saraswati Puja was just like any other festival to me. But the recent events in Bangladesh as reported by The Daily Star and other newspapers is profoundly disturbing. It is even more disturbing to see the reluctance of our elected government to accept the problem as it exists. Smart solution requires identification of the problem and understanding its intricacies. Without the willingness to accept the problem as a problem, establishing a high profile government commission is nothing but a futile venture. To meet the criteria for general acceptance, the investigation has to be independent ( of government) and transparent.

A FEW THOUGHTS: Even though we share a common cultural heritage, bonded tightly by a common language, a dichotomy got rooted with the introduction of Islam in Bengal. Probably most of the conversion in Islam occurred in the downtrodden and oppressed ``have-nots`` in the lower strata of Hindu society ( I bet my forefather was one of them). As they converted, they reaped the advantage of royal favors at the expense of their previous masters of higher strata. So a deep sense of untoward feeling between the two groups was there to begin with. And it is natural. Then came the British-Raj. With the loss of royal patronage, the Muslim society as a whole remained estranged, while the Hindu intelligentia embraced English. It was a complete reversal of the dice. Economically prosperous, culturally advanced Hindu Babus looked down at the Muslim Mians. Thus, despite a very strong bondage, a deep-seated resentment permeated the Muslim psyche. In Bengal, this possibly got worsened during the Bango-Bhango movement. The point, I am alluding to is simple: `` When economic and social parity supervenes, religion usually becomes a back-burner. The apparent ill feeling between the two groups of the same people, originated largely because of socio-economic reason. If the Hindu society was homogeneous to begin with, my forefather, most likely, would have retained his Sanatan faith. And my name would have been predictably different.`` This deep-seated strain is not going to go away anytime soon. In fact, this dichotomy of our very culture, led to the evolution of two different tributaries of a great cultural might. It is like a twin, though not monozygotic. We have two different names. We look different like two fraternal brothers and/or sisters. But our Mother is the same.

If we consider this basic proposition as an established fact, a lot of apparent difference and inconsistencies can be explained without any misgivings. Being Arabic in origin, my name does not betray my cultural heritage. It only affirms the fact that I am flowing from a different tributary.

AN AFTERTHOUGHT: As I mentioned earlier, akin to a tectonic fault line, there is a natural strain in our national psyche. And some unscrupulous politicians are magnifying this strain with resultant atrocities of volcanic proportion against our own fraternal brothers and sisters. It is time to raise a rational voice that reverberates in every rational soul.

Dear Sir :

You guys have to make up your minds. Either India is run by Banias or else it is run by Brahmins. It cannot be run by both -- historically the two have never been allied.

The BJP is a party of shopkeepers; your inimitable Ardeshir Cowasjee wrote about ``bania muchen nichi`` whatever that signifies, he got the bania part right.

You may also want to stop believing blindly what the political opponents of the BJP/RSS ``Sangh Parivar`` say about it. Yes, it is true that the Sangh Parivar exhibits great hostility towards Muslims. However, it is the least casteist of the political parties in India. The Marxists having failed to create a class struggle are now recognizing that a caste struggle is possible and are the most bent on preserving caste.

I also do not think it is for India to reassure Pakistan of anything, when Pakistanis hold certain misconceptions that can be easily dispelled by themselves on a little deeper digging.

-Arun the Infidelator

The author has spent time abroad in Pakistan, and it shows.

Constitutionally, Pakistan has been a secular state for all of fifteen minutes after Jinnah`s 1947 speech; it has been Islamic ever since.

The foundation of Pakistan is law and constitution, certainly must be true; it is so rich constitutionally that its army periodically throws its constitution out of the window. Poor India has had to keep one constitution and a stupid system of elections going for the last 50 years; well beggars cannot be choosers.

Historically, it is precisely because of the caste system that Islam has not been successful in India. Thus, we go through the Middle East, Iran, Afghanistan with more than 95% Muslim populations (with Nuristan nee Kafiristan converted by force just about 130 years ago), and then stumble across the hordes of unbelievers. Pakistan did a good job in getting rid of most of them. The Land of the Pure was 78% Muslim in 1941, and 97% Muslim in 1951, what a difference ten years make. Then comes the land of the stubborn casteists, of whom not more than 12-15% converted. Fast forward to the east, where the Bangladeshis are now was the last stronghold of the Buddhists, who presumably were not casteists. They are now 90% Muslim and the non-Muslim minority is shrinking. Go down into Malaysia and Indonesia (where the airline is still Garuda -- recognize it from the Ramayana ???). What do you think kept India from becoming more than 90% Muslim like all these other lands ? (Clue -- it was not any intrinsic kindness of Muslim rulers -- there is not a Hindu temple older than from the 18th century extant in North India. Your Sindhi bhais in Pakistan have a tradition that Muhammad bin Qasim had every unbeliever male above 18 killed.).

Let me paraphrase the Vishva Hindu Parishad argument about the Babri Masjid/Ramajanmabhoomi for those who fail to understand. As the VHP says, it is irrelevant whether Ramayana is true or not (funny position for religious fundamentalists to take, don`t you think). What is true is that that site has been holy ground to Hindus for many centuries, certainly before Babar built a mosque there only by right of conquest. Muslims may want to ask themselves whether the Prophet Muhammad really ascended to heaven on a winged horse starting from the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem -- and if even he did not, how it still remains holy ground for them.

Ignorance is bliss, I suppose. To remain that way, it should not come stumbling out into public view.

-Arun the Infidelator

Intresting.

Ciao

Finally an article that touched up the subject of religious hierarchy in Islam. I`ve been trying to find more information on this subject and dig people with religious knowledge to talk to me about it but somehow I feel that either muslims don`t know much about it or are too afraid to give an opinion on this topic. I would recommend a very good book, which is actually a collection of essays by Muhammad Asad (an Austrian Jew reverted to Islam in the 1920s or 30s) `This Law of Ours`. Muhammad Asad, in his various articles tried to bring forth the point that Islam does not suggest a system of religious hierarchy at all but instead gives clear instructions on matters of religious significance through Quran and Hadith and the matters less important in nature are left to an individual`s own knowledge and conscience. The work earlier done by the great scholars (who are reverred as Imams) was a need of their time and it does not by any mean makes their opinions binding on the muslims of today. Muslims today have to find answers to the current problems according to their own needs.

Somehow I felt that you dealt with too many issues in this article. I hope that in the future you`ll write more on this topic without bringing Brahimnism, India, or Pakistan in it.

Vulcan.

My dear author,

It does not matter who leads and who follows so long as both of us go in the right direction.

If you feel that Pakistan has taken the lead in keeping religion at home -- away from the public sphere, then bhaijaan, you and your countrymen have done very well. I would have no hesitation in suggesting to Indians that they follow your example.

And, you are right: the recent rise of Hindutva forces isnt all that good a thing for India. What India (and I dare say, Pakistan as well) needs is a nationalism that cuts ACROSS religious lines, not one that defines who an Indian (or Pakistani) is in narrow religious terms. Anything else is terribly unfair to non-majority communities.

In addition, mere pyaare dost, I admire your dedication to the great religion of Islam, and your willingness to stand up for your beliefs. There surely are a lot of things Hindus can learn from the wisdom of Islam. And despite the unfortunate history of conflict, some Hindus like me are quite grateful that that wisdom has been made available to mankind.

I wish, however, that you had as much regard for other people`s mythologies and traditions as you would expect others to have for yours. I respect Islam too deeply to insult it just to show the silliness of your arguments about Hinduism. Also, I am surprised that a Rutgers student, one who I assume must have taken courses in logic and deduction, would use the religious enthusiasm of an aging man in a foreign land to reach sweeping conclusions about India and Indians; Hindus and Hinduism.

And, even when you speak of your friend`s father, doesn`t the fact that he lives happily (I assume, unless you tell me otherwise) in a multi-religious family, with a Catholic wife and Catholic children, and repeatedly welcomes (d) you (again I presume, unless you tell me otherwise) to his house, tell you something about the basic decency of the man?

I don`t know about your father, but my father would have a hard time being so `generous.`

Reading the rest of your article, all I can say is: I dont know, my friend, I just dont know.

If your purpose was merely to make Pakistanis feel good about themselves, I have no bone to pick with you. God knows we Indians seem to write a lot of stuff just for that purpose. If not, then may be I can make make a few humble suggestions for your consideration.

There is a beautiful line in Rig Veda. It says: ``Let noble thoughts come to us from every side.`` The Prophet Mohammad instructed us all along similar lines. Perhaps you should follow the same advice.

.....Open your eyes to reality.

.....Understand that you are not the only intelligent person on this planet.

.....Learn the meaning of the words, `human gratitude,` and `respect.` I may be a bit backward, but if someone had invited me to their house, I would never write about them the way you did.

.....Begin to take responsibility for what happens or does not happen to your own country.

Forget about India. Forget about Hindus. We are not that important. What matters/should matter to you is the future of Pakistan. If you can construct a happy, peaceful, and prosperous Pakistan of tomorrow, many Indians, including me, will be zor se applauding you from the sides.

Best regards...and if this is your first time here on chowk...welcome, my good friend.

PS: Also, dont run down all Mullahs, Shaykhs, Imams, and Pundits. Some of them are pretty good and wise human beings.

re: vulcan # 5

Vulcan, you are right. The author bhai would have made a much better usage of his time and ours had he focused on something specific.

Macgupta I suppose that we will dispel our doubts by doing the same kind of complete reading that you have done about Pakistan, and how you are unbiased towards it? By the way, I suppose you didnt notice but the author is an italian American?

In any event great article Mr Aschettino, really put the smack down. And God bless Junoon, they are perhaps the greatest symbol of Pakistani Nationalism yet :)

Oh by the way, to the Indian who was trying to raise his flag admist Pakistani flags at the Junoon concert, I was the one who slapped you. And since we are a `terrorist` state, I urge you not to take such pangas, again because we might have snipers next time.

-YLH

PS By the way, who was the idiot who wrote directed and produced `Ghaddar`... man I couldnt stop laughing at the inaccuracies, the over done jingoism and the fanatical bigotry which was almost comical.

ZZ,

``It is coincidence that u are muslim. If a person of ur nature be born white christian, is a potential candidate for KKK, since all you are born as is perfect.``

Good for you Sir!

ANOTHER FROM RUTGERS,

Another typical rutgers product, based on one indian family, based on one hindu book, the great product of rutgers has spoken. You should have stuck to what you know best, pakistan, Italy and caste system in islam. The best and glowing example of this is `` Abdus Salam Institute of Theoretical Physics``. My friend it is in italy, because pakistan will not allow that. You could have contribute the only article ever to come on chowk about abdus salam. YLH mentioned about your `forth coming` article, birds of the same feather, in this case bafoons with the same repoteir.

Hey Antony,

How much authority do you have to make such sweeping statements? Dont take this offence, but I was curious about your interaction with Indians, India.

As arun gupta had already said, the reality is different whether you want to believe it or not. And it is definitely not in our hands to clarify our Hindu/Indian nationalism to others who are ill/mis informed about this. Your article does nothing but re affirms the stereo typed image Pakistanis have about India.

As you go through the interacts I am sure that some of us will try to reason out to you. But it depends on you whether you are honest about it or not. I only hope you do not follow your co - graduate from Rutgers. ;-)

YOu Rutgers guys have some thing going on for India right ? ;-)

cheers,

jntuece99

The most urgent concern to all Muslims should be the growing insistence that some sort clergy exist with in Islamia. To be a Muslims requires that one be literate - whle a Phd is not required, a Muslim must be able to read and write because he or she can not directly avail themseleves of the word of God, without being able to read and write, in whatever language.

All religions belong in the home?:

The moral, ethical, social, political and economic vacuum created by the abdication of the State of it`s responsibilties to it`s citizens, is being filled by Islamists who by necessity must and will create a new class, the clergy.

Hindu National Destiny and Indian National Destiny? ``Indian`` as opposed to ``Hindu`` distinctions?

``Pakistan is now taking steps to ensure that there is no confusion on the part of the world; that Pakistan is indeed a secular state founded by Muslims and not an Islamic state. It is up to India to follow the lead on this issue.``

A secular state founded by Muslims? Now that`s as close to an oxymoron as it gets.

And India learning from Pakistan about secularism? That`s a laugh. Despite the flaws in India`s secular credentials, it will take a huge leap of faith to think that`s Pakistan`s even close to what India has achieved in this area.

Regards,

tvarad

eklavya #6

``Forget about India. Forget about Hindus. We are not that important``

...... so what are we supposed to do ? ... sit around sipping scotch and talking about wimbledon and how the indian-zionist lobby has kept our guys away from center court or sit around sipping rooh-afza and talking about chechnya and how the horrible hindus are siding with the murderous russians in a conspiracy to wipe out the ummah .......

Ylh #8

``Oh by the way, to the Indian who was trying to raise his flag admist Pakistani flags at the Junoon concert, I was the one who slapped you. And since we are a `terrorist` state, I urge you not to take such pangas, again because we might have snipers next time``

Perfect credentials for an educated and tolerant future leader of a secular south asian country. The guy not only acts idiotically but takes pride in it too.

How dare some poor indian student attend a concert by pakistanis and wave indian flag next to pakistani flags? I guess he forgot that when you go to a function by an artist from pakistan, even in this land of free, you are in virtual pakistan. No wonder he keeps telling indians to get off this ``pakistani site``. Unfortunately for him he can not reach across and touch them.

iqbal kasim #12

``I was also struck by another fact- Businessweek just did a story on the 50 most influential people in Asia. Of the three Indians listed in the Business men category- 2 of them were Muslims ( Azim Premji of Wipro- the Richest Indian; and Yusuf Hamied of Cipla)- agreed they are both Shias- YES. I did not see anyone on that list from the Land of the Pure. So maybe the Muslims in India are better off than in our own land,Pakistan. This by the way was pointed out to me by my cousins in India- all of whom are doing well in I/T or pharmaceuticals or MNCs``

Azim Premji is well known due to his status as richest man in india. Yusuf Hamied on the other hand is just getting to be known in international financial press due to his success in driving down aids drug prices for south africa. If I remember correctly, he is selling equivalent drugs in africa at 10-15% price compared to brand name drugs from western countries. This in turn forced the big name pharmaceutical companies to knockdown their prices by 50-75%.

On the same topic, there was an article couple of days back in your NEWS International that indian generic drugs are very popular with your middle class and are almost at 25% price compared to the locally manufactured western brand name products. Indian drugs in pakistan come via afghanistan, which has trade relations with india (atleast for medical supplies). Black marketers route it to pakistan. The writer was making a case for open trade between india and pakistan for the benefit of middle class pakistanis.