Politics

What Happened? 2014 Indian Elections | A Road Map for Indian Muslims

Published

May 19, 2014

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One common feature of all these – the Administration aids and abets the crime and no criminal is ever brought to book when the victim is a Muslim. There is no difference between the Congress and BJP in this respect, except that the Congress was in power for much longer.

As a community, we’re a people who spend a thousand times more on ostentatious weddings than on poverty eradication of our own people. We’re steeped in shirk and openly disobey and challenge the orders of Allah . We forget and ignore that the decisions of Allah are based on our actions. We forget that results need investment. We forget that good luck comes to those who are prepared – it is the name for what happens when aspiration meets preparation. We are selfish and concerned only about ourselves – ask when was the last time you saw Muslims agitating because a Dalit was murdered? Ask what we did when Christian priests and nuns were murdered and churches burnt in Orissa. We moan only about our own and watch silently when it happens to others.

We follow leaders who have never even seen a global platform (and wouldn’t recognize it if it punched them in the eye) and have no clue what to do if they’re given access. Yet we, the followers, don’t have the intelligence to see this or to recognize how suicidal it is to follow such leaders, who at best are an embarrassment and a clear symptom of the fatal malaise that we are plagued with – congenital blindness. If one makes a mistake once, it is an opportunity to learn. If he makes the same mistake twice, he is stupid. We have made this mistake about who to follow so many times that I don’t have words to describe us anymore.

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Our current situation, documented in the Sachar Committee Report, is the result of a complete failure of our leadership at every level. That we have done nothing significant to change that situation, 8 years since the report was published (30 November 2006) apart from carping, is a mark of the fact that we are lethargic, looking for saviors, and ripe for the taking as victims of anyone who wants to use us. We have been used and discarded many times, yet we learn nothing. We’re in this mess because of our leaders not despite them. Our leadership is self-serving, corrupt, blind and deaf; concerned more about interpersonal conflicts than about the welfare of the community. Our leaders – sadly, religious leaders included – are at each other’s throats publicly, plunging the common man into confusion about who to follow.

We need leaders with vision and strategy, and followers who’re willing to put aside differences and unite to work with discipline to achieve the goal of uplifting the community. We’re people who don’t see the need to invest in developing leaders, yet we complain that we don’t have good leaders. Leaders don’t grow on trees even in 10 Janpath. Until we learn to put our money, time, and energy where it counts we will suffer. So until we get the leaders we need it’s better to batten down the hatches and ride out the storm. Following such people will only lead to more grief.

Test: Name one Muslim leader who you’d love to apprentice your son to, so that he may become like him.

Pity the nation that is full of beliefs and empty of religion.
Pity the nation that wears a cloth it does not weave
and eats a bread it does not harvest.

Pity the nation that acclaims the bully as hero,
and that deems the glittering conqueror bountiful.
Pity a nation that despises a passion in its dream,
yet submits in its awakening.

Pity the nation that raises not its voice
save when it walks in a funeral,
boasts not except among its ruins,
and will rebel not save when its neck is laid
between the sword and the block.

Pity the nation whose statesman is a fox,
whose philosopher is a juggler,
and whose art is the art of patching and mimicking

Pity the nation that welcomes its new ruler with trumpeting,
and farewells him with hooting,
only to welcome another with trumpeting again.

Pity the nation whose sages are dumb with years
and whose strongmen are yet in the cradle.

Pity the nation divided into fragments,
each fragment deeming itself a nation.”

― Khalil Gibran, The Garden of The Prophet

Yet we must never lose hope. Not only because it is Allah who we worship and on whom we rely, but because those who lose hope perish. For all our faults we have been around for 13 centuries while the BJP government will now be around for 5 years. So we must work with hope and with great dedication to improve our situation. Waiting for Avatars to save us is not from our theology. We are a nation which believes in the power of self-help. Let us show it to the world. The time is now.

Make Sense of What is Happening

The world has changed. Our leadership has failed spectacularly. Solutions to our problems are not with those who are the cause of those problems. So what we must do is to set up Think Tanks to analyze data and project scenarios. Then we must plan investment for the scenarios we choose to focus on. We live in a connected world and we must learn to use those connections. Simply updating Facebook statuses doesn’t help. We must learn to harness the power of technology to tell the world our story. We need to create Media Watch groups who will monitor what is reported about Muslims and Muslim issues and can counter propaganda effectively. We need to train people in this. We must realize that we need to create a whole new generation to do all this. Our traditional leaders are a part of the problem. Expecting them to give us solutions is unrealistic. If they had solutions we wouldn’t be in this mess. I know I am going to be called ‘disrespectful’ but someone must tell the emperor that he is naked.

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42 Comments

Edward Kefas

May 19, 2014 at 2:43 PM

It is the scholars sadly who have contributed to the flames of sectarianism and ethno-nationalism which have fractured the Islamic civilization and allowed it to fall to european and hindu conquest.

Only new movements like al Maghrib and Mishkah University can promote Islamic unity, but they have not yet it seems.

The geography of the once Islamic civilization is encircled:

Narendra Modi keen to deepen ties with Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/narendra-modi-keen-to-deepen-ties-with-israel-benjamin-netanyahu/articleshow/35311029.cms

Reply
muslima

May 19, 2014 at 3:29 PM

JazaKhAllahKheir for your indepth analysis.

Reply
NTP

May 19, 2014 at 5:09 PM

Dear Sir,
You have synthesized a fair analysis. However, let us rise above religions, we do not need a hindu, a muslim, a sikh, and a christian representative of India to the UN. What we need is, and I think you agree: modern education, grooming and empowerment of modern thinking people on the whole. We need to think in terms of human beings, in terms of progress, in terms of growth for all; not just in terms of a community in particular.
When developed and an educated society, everyone can follow their own faith, religion, beliefs in the privacy of their own homes. With equal respect for the other, be it religion, faith, belief system, gender, color, cast and creed. Communal carnage happens in the poorest of the poor neighbourhoods and communities. It also happens, granted, at the hand of insane zealots like Hitler, or in modern times in Sarajevo, Serbia Herzegovina, in Africa, in Seria; however again and again propelled by a disbalance in wealth, colored unmistakably by religion.
I think we all should aspire to a better economic future, a better informed and educated tomorrow and a better appreciation for each other. There is no doubt in my mind that India is your home as much as it is mine; you are as loyal or more as I; and you have equally as deep roots if not deeper, and appreciation for your motherland as I. You and I are Indians. Therefore, let us work towards and hope for a unified today; not defined by narrow definitions, not delineated by religion, not circumspect by ethnic identities; and certainly not daunted by sceptical fools who do not know what they are doing and what they have done.
Let us raise fair leaders of tomorrow.

Reply
- Sihtric Anilla
  
  May 20, 2014 at 6:32 PM
  
  Amen. You said it best. Religion is an extremely private matter. I’m almost shocked how people display it in public. Most of our present day problems would just fizzle when this genie is kept indoors. It’s an extension of the church-state separation. I’m not interested in your religion and you shouldn’t be in mine. Peace out.
  
  Reply
- I.S.M. Habibullah (@Fire_flash_ex)
  
  May 31, 2014 at 6:58 AM
  
  How long would the mankind need to realize that there is the one, the almighty, to whom all of us are indebted.
  
  And as far as practice of religion is concerned, would you agree with Druidism? It’s high time you spent your good will to dedicate your time in knowing the religions in better.
  
  And you would certainly find the right one if your eyes are open for verily the truth and the falsehood are very distinct and clear.
  
  Reply
sadiq

May 19, 2014 at 5:40 PM

if Mukthar Ansari is a criminal, so is Narendra Modi far worse then Mukthar…

Reply
Venkat

May 20, 2014 at 1:12 AM

As I Hindu who grew with numerous Muslim friends I applaud general sentiment of this article. Never been a fan of Gandhis. Unfortunately they seem to be default place holder for secular forces. Unless people organize and embrace live and let live philosophy we will living in the shadow of someone like Modi.

Reply
Shaheen

May 20, 2014 at 3:11 AM

Today’s times are tough for our young generation. Facts are manipulated in the name of culture, religion, power, existence and personal gains. So be aware and reasonable. Get authentic sources and facts. Our leaders are corrupt because we are corrupt.

Reply
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Sue

May 20, 2014 at 2:06 PM

If that doesn’t show that Muslims voted for the BJP then what else does it show?

Maybe that many Muslims didnt turn up and failed to vote sufficiently for an alternative.
Also be caustious about : ‘Congratulations to the Muslims for being completely blind’
While it may be true for some, many robably see something else and many face serious pressures to vote for a particular party or person and can very difficultly do otherwise. And dont come and spout about the secrecy of the ballot this doesnot mean much in many countries of the world

On the whole a beautiful peice with balance views but just want to make sure you understand that sometimes things run deeper than what it appears on the surface and not all is what it seems.

Reply
Major Razor

May 20, 2014 at 4:12 PM

I’ll follow the author’s example and start by offering my congratulations. Well done on this neatly packaged and well-articulated piece. It’s refreshing to hear a response from the anti-BJP confederacy that isn’t simmering with passive-aggressive neuroses such as the highly publicized article by Gopalkrishna Gandhi. This author clearly has a greater reign of his emotions than that descendant of Mahatma Gandhi.

Onto the substance…

I agree with several of the points made here including the need for the Muslim Indian for greater investment in the long-term well-being of his community. However, I can’t help but roll my eyes at the victim complex and sly contradictions with which this article is dripping. We are simultaneously asked to forget and forgive what the Islamic invaders did to India AND feel guilty about the riots visited upon the Muslim community. “Now wait a minute,” I imagine the author saying. “Muhammad of Ghor’s rape and plunder of Hindu civilization and the precedent he set for countless Islamic warlords was eons ago. The UP riots happened just last year. So let’s stay relevant here.” But I am staying relevant here. The psyche of the Indian Hindu wasn’t reset in 1947. The long history of subjugation wasn’t wiped out from our collective consciousness on Midnight August 15th, 1947. The referendum against Congress and it’s vote-bank politics was in part a pro-development exercise but on a more visceral level it was an impulse to understand our lost identity as Hindu Indians. And yet the beneficiaries of the Modi wave aren’t Hindus alone (as much as the author would like you to believe) – it is all Indians. A more secure and well-represented Hindu populace is a less frustrated and indignant Hindu populace. I hope the author and the Muslims he claims to represent would prefer the former, for all our sakes.

Reply
- Major Razor
  
  May 20, 2014 at 6:13 PM
  
  Thanks, Sunil.
  
  I agree with your sentiments. We are Hindus today because of the bravery and integrity of our ancestors in the face of bloodthirsty proselytizers. Moreover, we did not encroach on the proud civilizations of Persia and Europe to spread our faith by the sword. I do not believe that is the Hindu way. In fact, the dissemination of a religion by violent means demonstrates its inherent insecurities.
  
  As for the sporadic and infrequent displays of vengeance on the part of some Hindus in recent times, the best way I can explain it is the way in which a biological organism’s antibodies fight back against foreign pathogens. It’s a hard-wired and utterly understandable urge towards self-preservation, common to all communities. In fact, if someone wanted to demolish the Kabba in Mecca and build a Church or Synagogue over it, an instant firestorm of dissent would erupt in the Islamic world, hundred times as strident as the protests that ultimately brought down the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.
  
  Any way, I have a feeling that if I waited for the author of the original article to enlighten his outlook and apologize on behalf of Indian muslims, whom he ostensibly represents, for what their fascistic forebears have done to Mother India, I might be waiting indefinitely… But I do enjoy being pleasantly surprised :)
  
  Razor
  
  P.S. *”…greater command of his emotions” in my first comment.
  
  Reply
  - Amad
    
    May 21, 2014 at 6:41 AM
    
    Wow. This comment is reflection of a sick mentality. Dismissing violence based on a sick biological example is really amazing.
    
    I could say the Al-Qaeda types use this analogy… after all Muslims are the biggest victims of wars and terrorism— consider all the countries being invaded by the West and how Islamists who won democratic elections are being removed out of power extrajudicially. So really Al-Qaeda could say that the terrorism conducted by them is a biological anti-bodies in the nations invaded.
    
    All extremists are just cut from the same cloth… hindu, jewish, buddhist, muslim…. all sickos.
    
    Reply
  - Arif
    
    May 21, 2014 at 11:31 AM
    
    First of all i do not undestand what you mean by “we”. There were only different small kingdoms fighting each other in the past. Haven’t you heard about ashwamegha yagya… And how the Hindu kings used it to expand their dominion and impose war on the states who refuse to subjugate. People like you convenient forget these things.
    
    India was united only during the time of Ashoka, Mughals and British. And of these, mughals were the ones to rule for the longest period. And Indians must be thankful to them.. For they not only strengthened the country as a whole but immensely contributed in bringing common civic sense , good echoes and culture in the country.
    
    People like you always harp on the looters with Muslim names who attacked Hindu kingdoms.. and disregard the fact that even the Mughal empire has been under constant attack from such looters and attackers, some of which were also muslims e.g. Ahmad shah abdali for instance…
    
    Unless you have conciously chosen to stick with this selective amnesia, I urge you to read an unbiased history of india again and clear your mind.
    
    Reply
    - Major Razor
      
      May 21, 2014 at 12:15 PM
      
      Arif,
      
      So? There were small kingdoms fighting within most civilizations in human history. For instance, in Western civilization, the Romans fought the Germanic tribes, the British fought Napolean’s French army, the Norwegians who were previously dominated by Danish and Swedish interests found won their own Independence eventually and so forth. That is pretty common. If you grew up in a big family you know not everyone gets along all the time. However, when the Mohammedans tried to spread Islam in the West, European nations joined forces to resist the foreign proselytizers. They were successful. Unfortunately, the Hindu kingdoms were not. However, that does not mean we should not aspire for the reunification of Hindu civilization. That is a worthy goal. This last general election was a step in the right direction. The divide and rule politics of the Mughals, the British Empire and the Congress was rejected and for the first time Hindus from various castes came together to vote for Modi. This is a healthy sign for our ancient civilization. If I were you, I’d put away that anti-Hindu scowl from your face, accept your mistakes and join us as partners in the great adventure that is ahead of us as Indians.
      
      Razor
      
      P.S. Here’s hoping this comment doesn’t also get thrown in limbo/deleted by the moderator.
      
      Reply
      - Arif
        
        May 26, 2014 at 9:35 PM
        
        I wonder how you guys have time to just continuously sit online and keep commenting …
        
        Anyways, Just because i debunked your theory of “Hindus not attacking any one”, I become “anti-hindu” ? . That’s the crux of the problem with your thought process… If someone does not agree to you, he/she immediately becomes anti-hindu and anti-india …
        
        Your history claims are at best laughable.. I know your ilk have strong problems with the current documented history. You guys don’t even accept the indian history ..
        
        There may have been some muslim rulers who have done injustices … but why I or any other general muslim needs to apologize for them .. This is non sense. If you want an apology , go back in time and ask that muslim ruler if you can…
        
        Muslims will always be a positive force for the nation. Always remember that it was muslim rulers who united india and gave its residents (including you and me) a country which we associate ourselves as indians.
    - ZAI
      
      June 1, 2014 at 3:35 AM
      
      ” even the Mughal empire has been under constant attack from such looters and attackers, some of which were also muslims e.g. Ahmad shah abdali for instance…”
      
      Brother,
      To us Afghans the Mughals following Akbar were despotic looters and occupiers, and Ahmad Shah Abdali freed us from their rule as well as later cementing independence from Iran following the death of Nadir Shah. So if you say Abdali was a looter and attacker then must also be acknowledged that Mughals were seen that way by others by the same standard. Mughal rule was unwelcome in both Afghanistan and Pashtunkhwa post-Akbar…please see poetry of Khushal Khan Khattak for examples of anti-Mughal sentiment among Pashtuns.
      
      These things are complicated. I agree Abdali visited a lot of wrong on people east of Indus…but by the same degree Mughals and Sikh rulers did the same in the other direction. Things are not so stark…and is perfect example of Br. Amad and also your own advice to keep these things in the past, because rehashing them causes unnecessary conflict. Aside from few cases like Hitler who were pure evil, it is complicated since people have both their praise worthy aspects and also their flaws. All are human.
      
      Reply
interested

May 20, 2014 at 4:59 PM

Overall, a very interesting, balanced and enjoyable piece. As a non-religious hindu Indian living in the USA, I really wanted to understand how the average Indian muslims feel about this, and this has given me a good view.

I applaud that you think you are Indians first. I agree with you that the muslim forefathers made a decision, a choice to stay in India and you don’t have to prove your loyalty to anyone. And that is true – the hindus had no choice, but the muslims did and they chose India.

That said, I too rolled my eyes at the victim complex. Now try to think about how average hindus feel.

The whole world is scared of fundamentalist muslims (whether you want to accept it or not). There seems to be a more disproportionate number of angry muslims than others (in today’s context. Christianity has its brutal past). We see how other countries that are ruled by muslim law limit education and human rights to women. As a woman, I am afraid of increasing influence of islam in the public sphere in my country, if indeed the religion fundamentally dictates that women have limited rights, can get married as a child and is not as worthy as a man. The prophet married a child, but can we put that aside and not take it too literally as it was the product of times and not something that can be followed by men today?

I have many muslim friends who I went to school and college with and they are not scary. However, where is the condemnation when so many atrocities in the world happens in the name of Islam? You mention that the Indian muslims need not worry or associate or be responsible for the Saudi muslims. But does that mean you disagree with their views? Are you okay with following the religion at home and not let it be a part of the law and civic life?

Are Indian muslims ready to accept that all Indians should be treated equal irrespective of caste, religion or gender? Are they okay with the uniform civil code where Sharia law will not be given any standing in a court of law? There will be no “Hindu marriage act” and “muslim marriage act”? Muslim men cannot behave differently from Hindu men and the men cannot have different divorce or inheritance laws from men (whatever religion)?

Or do you demand that islam should be given special privileges because that is freedom of religion? And remember, it is not one person, it is the entire community. At what point will a muslim or a hindu take to the streets in a spree of revenge and murder (like what happened at Gujarat?). That can never happen in a civilized society irrespective of the religion.

What’s missing in this piece is some self reflection of what the community is doing wrong and how it can improve trust in the eyes of the citizenry. Every group should do this, but the minorities especially so, since it affects them directly. The Saudi and other men are not known for peace. But why can’t the Indian muslims strive for peace?

I am totally against the RSS/Hindutva/rath yatra spectacles. I could be biased, but that was created to stand up for some of the other total lack of intolerance. Every group should self examine and steer away from violence and try to communicate through dialogue. And education is the only thing that will move the needle in that area.

Reply
- Major Razor
  
  May 20, 2014 at 7:52 PM
  
  Madam,
  
  You are correct in criticizing Islam’s contempt for the female sex. The appalling moral bankruptcy of Sharia makes it unsuited for civilized nations. Unfortunately, the so-called secularist (but not really) Congress that created the tradition of winning elections based on vote banks clearly doesn’t care about the plight of women. Their failure to strip away special rights from Indian muslims and enforce a uniform civil code makes India look more backward than Egypt and Turkey – muslim-majority countries where Islamic polygamy is outlawed.
  
  One other thing, I wouldn’t be so quick to give a pass to the ancestors of Indian Muslims who “decided” to stay in India. While it is true that some Muslims remained in India out of sense of anti-separatism and served the nation with patriotic fervor such as Maulana Azad, many others happened to not end up in West and East Pakistan for logistical and financial reasons, especially those located in the heartland of India. This less talked about aspect of the history of Indian partition is still felt today. For instance, note the celebratory mood in Muslim neighborhoods in India when Pakistan defeats India in international cricket. These anti-Indian ghettos are colloquially called ‘chota pakistan’ not without reason.
  
  Razor
  
  Reply
  - Mahmud
    
    May 20, 2014 at 9:05 PM
    
    Major
    
    The Muslims of today were not responsible for killing your ancestors. They are innocent and had nothing to do with it. Justifying your lack of sympathy towards Muslim victims is like me justifying my lack of sympathy for Hindu girls forced into marriage with Muslims in Pakistan because some Hindu men raped Muslim women in India.
    
    Those Muslim women who are raped in India have as much right to my sympathy as the Hindu girls who are forcibly married(i.e. raped) in Pakistan.
    
    I would be utterly sick and cruel if I couldn’t afford sympathy to them based on what their brethren have done to my women.
    
    Reply
  - Mahmud
    
    May 20, 2014 at 9:14 PM
    
    The appalling moral bankruptcy of the Hindu caste system makes it unpalatable for any society.
    
    Reply
    - Major Razor
      
      May 21, 2014 at 10:17 AM
      
      Mahmud,
      
      You speak as if I am asking for the slaughter of Muslims living in India and the termination of your culture. That is not my intention. In fact, my value system abhors ethnic violence. You either are pretending to miss my point intentionally or you really are ignorant.
      
      We would simply like you to acknowledge that the friction that presently exists between our communities did not arise ex nihilo, did not fall from the sky. There’s a long history behind the conflict and a failure by your community to acknowledge that history fans the flames of that conflict. Our request is you affirm your community’s role in the historical abuse of Mother India. This is a simple request and to deny it is provocative. Just as to deny the Shoah or Holocaust is provocative to Jews.
      
      As for the caste system, even the Congress-hero, Jawaharlal Nehru praised the caste system in his universally celebrated book ‘The Discovery of India’. Among other things, he argues that the caste system was devised to organize society by trade in order to increase its efficiency – what economists calls the division of labor – and it worked very well for its time. Try to educate yourself before you make these fashionable and ultimately hollow attacks on Indian culture.
      
      Unless you begin constructive dialogue, there will be no progress. You can start by some collective self-reflection.
      
      Razor
      
      Reply
      - Amad
        
        May 21, 2014 at 2:16 PM
        
        Wow “Razor” is razor-sharp in his razism. He even defends the caste-system that subjugates people to a lifetime of a certain stature based on which belly they were born in. These comments have been really eye-opening and go a long way in showing how dangerous this hindu extremist narrative is becoming.
  - interested
    
    May 20, 2014 at 11:30 PM
    
    I really don’t want to get into Hindu vs Muslim argument here. Hindus are not great in treating women right, For that matter, women have been treated badly throughout history by all religions. Manu Neeti, Sati, inauspicious widows, dowry – the hindu list goes on. And also, we have no control over where and when we are born. So, I don’t think we need to heap the entire responsibility (or pride) on the current living beings for the deeds of ancestors.
    
    My point is though, if you want equality, everything is equal. You cannot have special reservations, special interpretation of the law etc. You can also not get angry when you perceive any slight against you, but be fine and in fact be the cause of slighting others.
    
    A secular country means the laws are not based on your religion, it is based on the constitution. Otherwise, there is no sense in calling us Indians when we get different rewards and punishments based on whether I am muslim or Hindu, man or woman.
    
    Cultural change will take generations. But at least in common public sphere, under the eyes of the law, we should all be the same. If suggesting that is ill treating the minorities, then we have a fundamental difference. I argue that the parties like Congress who play the divide and conquer game are unsecular and BJP which talks about uniform civil code is more secular.
    
    Reply
- Amad
  
  May 21, 2014 at 6:29 AM
  
  “However, where is the condemnation when so many atrocities in the world happens in the name of Islam?”
  
  Unfortunately this is the same trope raised by Western Islamophobes. Just google “Muslims condemn terrorism” and you can spare us this oft-repeated stereotype.
  
  Reply
  - interested
    
    May 21, 2014 at 5:52 PM
    
    Maybe. I could be wrong because I’ve never seen or heard major condemnation. I apologize if I was just not aware of it. The fact is I am a person who goes out and seeks opinion, and I have not heard much of it. And that is a PR problem.
    
    With lack of this information, it is hard for Hindus to understand where Indian muslims stand with respect to rest of the world. Are they more milder, moderate or extreme?
    
    It seems that while a constitution has a clear wording and is interpreted by supreme court and can be amended when times change, something like religious law is filled with dogma, is subject to vast interpretation depending on who reads it and how it benefits them, does not have enough representation (women cannot be part of the judges) and there is no recourse.
    
    Without going on with empty back and forth, here is my real question. I have asked it many times, but no one has responded. Please answer this question.
    
    How do Indian muslims feel about a uniform civil code where there is no Sharia law interpretation at all? Is that acceptable to them or not?
    
    Reply
    - Amad
      
      May 22, 2014 at 10:24 AM
      
      It is a PR problem— Muslims do have a long way to go in effective PR. But it is also a media problem. When only the negative things are considered newsworthy, then a condemnation is not even reported…
      
      But really in this age, one just has to google “muslims condemn terrorism” and you will get a million links… Start with this http://www.muhajabah.com/otherscondemn.php
      
      Now I don’t know about law specifics special to Muslims or other minorities in India. I do know that in the West, there are permissions to for minorities to engage in their own contracts. For example in financial or marital contracts— Muslims could do it under Islamic laws. I would also say that the situation of Muslims in India is unique in that the numbers are so large. So you have to find ways that Muslims can do their own thing, as long as it does not harm the rest of the population. Freedom of religion is a hall-mark of any democratic society.
      
      In any case, I would let an Indian Muslim speak on this issue due to my own lack of knowledge in the area.
      
      Reply
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Prashanth Yeri

May 21, 2014 at 2:36 AM

Very well balanced article. Religion is a private matter, which has unfortunately been brought out into political discourse by successive governments and parties to further their own cause and not of the society at large.

The key for any community – majority or minority / rich or poor is too pull itself up by its bootstraps and get an education for its young. As we know, there are enough schools and colleges in this country where good education is available for deserving students. The minute one is educated, the focus will shift to leading a good life, in turn helping society at large, making religion a private affair.

Reply
Major Razor

May 21, 2014 at 11:23 AM

The moderator of this article has answered my criticisms of Islam with the typically fascistic response of censorship. They did that when Salman Rushdie published ‘The Satanic Verses’ , they did that after the innocuous Danish cartoons were printed and they are doing that here on muslimmatters.org. I gave the author a choice to either apologize or at least engage in debate (I love being proven wrong and learning new things) but he has chosen to take the cowardly route of shunning self-reflection and deleting my comments. Bravo. You inadvertently helped me by demonstrating my theses.

Reply
- Umm ZAKAriyya
  
  May 21, 2014 at 1:08 PM
  
  Your comments still here .
  
  If your comments were deleted , you must have violated their policy . State your views without being disrespectful to avoid it being deleted .
  
  Reply
  - Major Razor
    
    May 21, 2014 at 3:30 PM
    
    The removed were not so different than any that remain. Anyway, hate speech or “trolling” is not something I’m interested in or have time for. I wanted to offer an alternative perspective to the Indian Muslim problem and I believe I’ve done that with sufficient respect. Perhaps the solution is to not retreat into your turtle shell but to grow thicker skin and face the music. We can all get along only if there is constructive dialogue. I am willing to hear your side and change my views if your arguments are persuasive. However, all that is impossible if making any criticism is quickly labeled spewing hatred. That’s the sort of thing that makes our side grow weary of waiting for dialogue and instead go looking for solutions alone…
    
    Finally, I concede that Amad is right in suggesting that this isn’t a public forum and that you have complete freedom to censor/ban me here. I just doubt that would accomplish much.
    
    Reply
    - Amad
      
      May 21, 2014 at 4:08 PM
      
      You will find plenty of criticism here, which does not match your hate-speech.
      
      Do some soul-searching. Compare what I wrote, with respect and humility, against what you wrote. I have dealt with a lot of Muslim extremists, and really, you come off sounding just like them. You are not going to get anywhere with this kind of chip on your shoulder. Just as you have pride in your heritage, Muslims have pride in their heritage. And when you come here trying to “set matters right”, it reeks of arrogance and no one likes arrogance. If you think anyone would change or come to terms with you on “your terms”, then you are gravely mistaken. Listen and you will be listened to. That’s how discussions happen.
      
      Reply
      - Major Razor
        
        May 21, 2014 at 4:38 PM
        
        With respect, in light of the recent victories of my movement, I believe my need for soul-searching is much less urgent right now than yours is. We have been soul-searching for a long time and it seems we have emerged from the fog of confusion and despair created by anti-Hindu interests, ranging from the terror networks in Pakistan to the misguided and epicene leadership of Congress. We have emerged with an absolute majority, a powerful mandate handed to us by the people of India.
        
        Secondly, I have yet to encounter a single major rebuttal of any of the points I made. Just because certain historical facts make you uncomfortable does not mean they are hate speech.
        
        Your definition of a discussion is that I quietly absorb these lengthy blogs, listen to you pontificate and not utter a single dissenting opinion. Call me arrogant but I don’t share that definition.
      - Amad
        
        May 22, 2014 at 10:16 AM
        
        I don’t know if I find your comment amusing or naive or both. “Your team” just recently won. They won the battle of votes, but will they win the battle of hearts and minds?
        
        As for soul-searching, no doubt Muslims have to do a lot of it, as the other article on Indian elections by Shaykh Mirza Baig illustrated. But soul-searching is not an activity only for the non-victorious, victors need it as much.
        
        More importantly, history has shown many great nations and great leaders have come and gone. There was a lot of hope for Obama yet he failed miserably as a leader and I was one of his huge supporters. The wise learn to take victories in stride, they don’t trample over the losers, because it is possible the losers will become your masters next time…
- Amad
  
  May 21, 2014 at 2:10 PM
  
  And you have demonstrated that you have not properly read our blog rules and regulations for a respectful decorum.
  
  This is our blog, not your free space to spew hatred. Thanks for your understanding.
  
  Reply
Pips

May 22, 2014 at 1:53 AM

Let this time be a new begining – a re run of post August 1947, a perfect time to retrospect and start things afresh the way they should have been.

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M

May 22, 2014 at 8:06 AM

“We forget and ignore that the decisions of Allāh subḥānahu wa ta’āla (glorified and exalted be He) are based on our actions.”

I agree, I believe that the problem in South Asian Countries is not a political, but a social one. We have all the laws available but there is a question of implementing them. Because most people believe it is acceptable to take money from a person and let them jump the line, so we can use the money to jump the line ourselves.

Let’s assume that we get honest leaders, but are we ready to stop lying, and cheating, and assuming that certain family names are better than the others? Will we stop treating the poor with disrespect because they have less money then we do? Are we ready to stop oppressing the the weak in our households, neighbourhoods and our community?

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ajaz

May 24, 2014 at 6:08 PM

Well written article. Thanks for showing us the way forward.

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Appan Varma

May 28, 2014 at 5:39 AM

COME TO KERALA and see how we Hindus , xians and Muslims live TOGETHER and how advanced is the muslim community over the hindus in education ( girls mainly as boys tend to move to Gulf , saudi etc early) and financially. It is the good action of the rulers of the state ( all anti hindu effectively in one sense – the communists , the Muslim League and xian kerala congress rules the state) that has helped this to be acvhieved

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Wanderer19 (@RidzuanArabi)

May 29, 2014 at 7:05 PM

modi or anybody, they are all the same and don’t make any differences for Muslims. Even Obama can’t do anything that worthy of mention for Muslim people or country. I just hope and prays that no more mosque demolished, no more mass killing and none of our sisters raped or any of our children’s burned alive. I’m afraid of the facts that the history might repeats itself sometimes. Be prepared for the worse that might or might not happen and hold steadfast to the rope of Allah (self-note and reminder to myself and the others). No matter what, Palestine/Syria/Libya/Egypt/Afghan (the list goes on and on and on) and all the Muslims around the world will be in my hearts and prayers. Jum’ah Mubarak and Salam Jumaat.

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Salahuddin Mohamed

June 4, 2014 at 2:39 AM

I CAN COME TO A CONCLUSION AFTER GOING THROUGH ALL THE COMMENTS ONE GROUP ANTI MUSLUM.ANOTHER GROUP ANTI HINDU THIRD GROUPAWAY FROM BOTH GROUPS.AS A MUSLIM IT IS OUR COUNTRY.THE FORE FATHERS HAVE DONE A GREAT BLUNDER IN DIVIDING THIS GREAT COUNTRY ON THE BASIS OF RELIGION. IN INDEPENDENT INDIA I ENJOYED AND CONTRIBUTED ENOUGH TO THIS COUNTRY.I AM MORE WORRIED ABOUT YOUNGER GENERATION.TO COME UP IN LIFE MUSLIMS SHOULD CONCENTRATE IN EDUCATION BOTH WORLDLY AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.THEN ONLY THEY CAN SHINE.FREE EDUCATION SHOULD BE GIVEN.ISLAM IS PEACE LOVING AND IS NOT A RELIGION FOR ONE COMMUNITY IT IS FOR THE WHOLE WORLD.ISLAM IS THE FIRST AND LAST PHILOSOPHYON THE EARTH.OTHER 99 PHILOSOPHYS ADDED UP.THE FIRST MAN ADAM LANDED ONLY IN OUR COUNTRY.MANY YEARS AGO CEYLON WAS PART OF INDIA.IN CEYLON YOU CAN SEE MOUNT ADAM.ADAM WAS PREACHING ISLAM ONLY.IN CONCLUSSION BJP ALREADY HAD TO BLACK SPOTS 1 1992 DEMOLISION OF BABRI MASJID.2.2002 GUJARATH RIOT.MR MODI SHOULD NOT DESTROY SECULAR FABRICS OF THIS COUNTRY.IF TOUCHES RAM TEMPLE,UNIFORM CIVIL LAW AND 370 HE WILL BE IN SOUP.WE CAN JUDGE HIS GOVERNMENT AFTER 365 DAYS.IN THIS JUNCTURE MUSLIM SHOULD BUILD UP BENOVALENT LEADER.ALL THE BEST FOR THE MODI GOVERNMENT

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