Muslims in India: Communalism vs. Backwardness-Minority Syndrome

Sameer JB ji
``How can you expect Muslims to show emotions in the middle of riots breaking out in Ahmedabad after Indian victory. It takes two to tango.``

You are right about it takes two to tango. In Gujarat, as per reports riots started when Victory procession of over enthusiastic people after India`s win over Pakistan was pelted with stones etc., I guess by miscreants wanting to create peoblem. Anyhow, Police should have been prepared in advance or it should not have allowed that procession to go through senstive areas.
Regards

P.S. Tussi punjabi channel band kyoN kar ditta?

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sadna & Pankaj: My comments in the previous post were about `what should have been`. I am not advocating break up of India and Pakistan under current circumstances. However, circumstances and with it opinions can change. Only one sentence in that lengthy post, `Islamabad and New Delhi should be like Strossburg (Europian Union Headquarter in France)` vaguely pointed to more national (I consider Panjabi, Tamil, Bengali,...................nations) independence without stressing upon the level or model and definitely through muyual agreement and peaceful means.

The question of being at ease all over or having diverse family or experience is minor thing. Nations under friendly relationship do not stop people from traveling or marrying outside culture. Much more Americans and Canadians inter-marry and travel freely; same is true for Europeans. I agree with Pankaj that India is more like a major part of Indian civilization. But a civilization does not have to have same culture, language or country. I am very opposed to one of everything route in order to create unity or harmony.

Even in diasporic desis, culture based relationship are dominating over national based organizations. Three largest groups in NY/ NJ, namely Gujratis, Bengalis and Panjabis interact predominantly within culture.

rsridhar: I suppose Hindus should also have proven acceptance of Muslims in Gujrat elections by rejecting Narendra Modi and BJP. How can you expect Muslims to show emotions in the middle of riots breaking out in Ahmedabad after Indian victory. It takes two to tango.

On one side you and many other keep talking telling us that Pakistan does not matter for most Indians (something like India is about to reach for stars with 460 dollars per capita income and Pakistan is in the dirt with paltry 450 dollars per capita income) and it is Pakistan out there to prove un-Indianness at every opportunity. Did India celebrate same way when they beat England? I did not hear any rioting after India beat England.

In one area, Indian movie industry Muslims have been well represented for all 56 years since independence. When did they not prove their Indianness? Name one movie by a Muslm which could be considered pro-Pakistan or anti-Hindu. The fact is that whenever and whoever got a chance to serve India, they did to the best of their abilities. The issue of trying too much to preserve a distinct orthodox and conservative Muslim identity is onething which I also have often disliked but to make it anti-Indian is not true. Both parties on eitehr side of Babri Masjid as well as Gujrat riots were equally Indian. A person tearing down the mosque can no way claim to be more Indian than the one who is trying to stop him from doing it. However, one party was taking the law into their own hand.

I suggest Indian Muslims to try to become more nationalistic in cultural sense. Become ardent Bengali, Marathi, Gujrati, Tamils etc instead of taking refuge in religion or behind Gandhi-Nehru ideals. They should vote local parties instead of major national level parties like Congress or BJP.

``Are you God with a million eyes to keep watch on 130 million people and pronounce judgement on them?

I read in a news report that Muslims came out to celebrate in Mumbai. But I donot need news reports. I am not better than my Muslim countrymen that they have to prove something to ME. Neither are you, rsridhar.``(sadna)

well said dhukhtar-e aalaa-e Hind -- Sadna Begum!

re:#143 by sadna
Read Rafiq Zakaria`s views on Indian muslims. Unlike you and me, he is considered an expert on Islam and has been writing books and researching on matters concerning Indian muslims.
Excerpts from the book ``Communal Rage in Secular India``:

1. ``Indian Muslims must try and become an integral part of the mainstream`; `get out of their ghetto mentality`; `do some introspection`. If asked `whether they have genuinely tried to contribute to the strengthening of Hindu-Muslim relations since Partition`, the `answer will be no.``

2. ``They must open their eyes to the ground reality that an increasing number of Hindus have begun to hate them...it has infected the rich as much as the poor; men as much as women; the young as much as the old. Even children are no longer free from it.``

3. ``Instead of coming out openly against Pakistan and taking a strong stand against the jihadis, the so-called guardians of Indian Muslims spend most of their time in running their own political shops to buttress their communal leadership.``

4. ``Muslims are multiplying fast, much more than Hindus. The Census figures, decade after decade, confirm it. Muslims have not taken to family planning `as seriously as the Hindus`; this has to be corrected. ``Indian Muslims must disown the bigotism which has made Muslims pariahs everywhere. They must give to non-Muslims the assurance that their religion stands for `live and let live.` ``Instead of talking it over with Hindus, `confrontation was adopted` by Muslims on the Babri masjid issue, giving `rise to more hatred against the Muslims.` ``There is meaningless `controversy` about Muslims singing Vande Mataram. Muslims `must stand up when it is sung as a mark of respect to an anthem,` which has a hoary past.``

Being secular does not mean being blind to the realities. The reality is that there is a widening gulf between the 2 communities and muslims in India need to take pro-active steps to bridge the gap. They cannot continue to sleep under the shadow of pseudo-secularism of the Nehruvian era.
Sridhar

#142 by rsridhar, #143 by sadna

Sridhar, though you say your conclusion is based on experience, you cannot generalize it. I have quite a few Muslim friends, and I can vouch for their patriotism. During a match, they root for India as much as I do. Why, just the other day, when India was playing Pakistan, I visited a hospital in which my uncle was sharing a room with an elderly Muslim lady. Every Tendulkar shot was lustily cheered by her relatives (who`d come to visit her), and she herself was very dejected when Tendulya eventually got out. Now, that`s my experience. What do I make of it?

re:#140 by stuka
My secularism has nothing to do with all this. We have to confront realities. Besides, this is not my view alone. After all, my views do not count for much. I live in US and i just share some experiences that i have had during my stay in India. That is all.
More importantly, people like Rafiq Zakaria have been pointing to the widening gulf between the 2 communities and the ``Ostrich-like`` attitude of Indian muslims. Little introspection went on as to where the community is headed since independence. Muslims were treated as a ``vote bank`` by Congress. Much of the secular attitudes of Congress era is dissipating and a new crop of politicians (like Modi) are raring to change the way hindus think and act. Muslims in India today face a real danger of being completely isolated. They need to do what is in their best interest. Closing their eyes to the happenings around them will not help.
Sridhar

re:#141 by FarooqA
Both hindu and muslim fundamentalism have existed since independence. Hindu extremist views stood discredited after the assasination of Gandhiji. These views never found a mass appeal until recently. But there have always been supporters belonging to the fringe elements since independence.
Today, BJP has latched on to fighting terrorism (by implication ``islamic terrorism) as a political tool. By equating terrorism with Islam, BJP seeks to isolate muslims and benefit from hindu votes.
Indian muslims can turn the tide against BJP by coming out in force against fundamentalism.
Sridhar

rsridhar # 142
Yes, they did. As per newspaper reports, a big group of them in Kolkata were celeberating India`s victory and were beaten up by a few (12) who were pro pak.
In any case I don`t think any one of us have any business in questioning any body`s loyalty just because some people did n`t wear their happiness on sleave. Yes, if people are openly pro-pak, then we do tend to resent, rightly or wrongly, i don`t know. But still I don`t think this is such a big issue.
Regards

jay #138 you write ``the ilks of tahmed are only supporting dawood ibrahim. ``
Aha! Lies! So now you resort to the last resort of the scoundrel!! (If you dont agree, cut and paste anything I ever wrote about dawood ibrahim - he is just another one of your kind kind of subhumans.)
PS: Dont flatter yourself into thinking I read the rest of your post, given that I long ago started skipping over your boring, one-track posts. If you are not careful, you will bore yourself to death.

rsridhar #142
``Did you see the muslims in India come out and celebrate India`s victory against Pakis in cricket?``

How would I or you `see` them even if they did rsridhar? Are you God with a million eyes to keep watch on 130 million people and pronounce judgement on them?

I read in a news report that Muslims came out to celebrate in Mumbai. But I donot need news reports. I am not better than my Muslim countrymen that they have to prove something to ME. Neither are you, rsridhar.

re:#136 by sadna
I am not trying to generalise. Besides, your experience is different from mine.
Did you see the muslims in India come out and celebrate India`s victory against Pakis in cricket? Here was a great opportunity. Cricket, among other things, binds Indians like nothing else does. Well meaning muslims chose to remain silent. Some miscreants cheered the Pakistanis creating trouble in Banglore and other places.
It is entirely possible that VHP and other elements were also involved. But the point is, when the entire nation was celebrating, the muslims of India were not visible in that celebration. What have they to lose? After all, there were 2 muslim cricketers in the team. This is just an eg i gave. It is a fact that majority of muslims in India do not try to assimilate. Your experience (in Kerala) may be different. That does not still change the picture.
More and more younger generation Indians in India are associating muslims and Islam with Pakistan. It is for the muslims to come out and say emphatically where they belong.
Sridhar

RSridhar:

``To be democratic in a diverse nation, one has to appreciate and assimilate in that diversity. Indians (barring the muslims) are doing that everyday.``

Your claim to secularism runs very hollow. The Muslims of India are more politically aware than than the Muslims of any other country. Besides, how can you sit in judgement of 12 Crore people? I am disgusted by your statement.

Its mere naivety on the part of Javed Akhtar to suggest that the Hindu communalism is just a reaction of Muslim communalism, the argument cuts both ways, may be the Muslim communalism in India is the end product of the Hindu fundamentalism.

JINNAH IS DEAD, TNT IS ALIVE,

The pakistanis are again trying to say that theirs is a progressive contry not shackeled by TNT. Take the case of dawood ibrahim, he is an indian citizen, he killed more that 200 people inbombay and escaped to pakistan. He is a well protected guest in pakistan simply because his action are in tune with the direct action call, his past is not very different from that of many pakistanis who left india, he has done something akin to what the pak jihadists are doing by slipping into pakistan. It is the ideology of TNT that keeps ibrahim in pakistan, no pakistani, even on the chowk wants to say anything about ibrahim.

The great jinnah and TNT dead posters can come up with one reason other than TNT for the flourishing of ibrahim in pakistan, it would be a surprise. In the garb of decency, dead history and peace on chowk, the ilks of tahmed are only supporting dawood ibrahim.

Walkout over `selective` implementation of girl child scheme

By Our Special Correspondent



HYDERABAD March 3. Congress and CPI (M) members staged a walkout in the Assembly on Monday protesting over the refusal of the Government to give an assurance on extending financial assistance to all BPL families under the Girl Child Protection Scheme.

Earlier, Congress members stalled the proceedings of the House demanding an apology from the Minister for Industries, K.Vidyadhar Rao, for his remarks against a Congress member, Vanama Venkateswara Rao.

The Leader of the Opposition, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, charged the Government with going back on its promise of extending the scheme to all families. Several restrictions were being applied to deny the facility to many. Second girl child was not being given the assistance and it was limited to only single child families.

Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy said the assistance had been extended to only two lakh families whereas there were 1.2 crore BPL families in the State. The pending applications -- 21,361 -- pertained to only single child families and other applications had been rejected, he contended. The Chief Minister had promised to apply the scheme to every girl child born in the BPL family during elections by assuring the poor that he would be the ``Mena Mama`` (maternal uncle) for the girl.

(Later talking to presspersons he called the Chief Minister ``Kamsa Mama` (Kamsa of the Bhagavatha). Another Congress member, K.R. Suresh Reddy, said the Minister for Finance, Y. Ramakrishnudu, and the Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Saraswathi, were ``misinforming`` the House on the issue. The target had been reduced compared to last year and there was no proper clarification forthcoming on the reason, he said.

///In india we talk about female child killings, recognise it as a problem, accept the reality and even come up with some ingenious ways to reduce it. In pakistan ahmadias are killed, hindu temples are destroyed in spontaneous reaction to babri masjid demolition, only PM has ever posted this info, well the honour killings, what honour killings...well education is awaste of resources for pakistanis. No wonder that nadrassas are flourishing and in terms of human values, an educated tahmed is no different from the jihadic sayed from faisalabad.