Akbar Khan
The tweeter was trending couple of days back on above topic and media houses were engaged in discussions regarding the same. Past few days there has been an aggressive debate on television as well as print and social media regarding Muslims, their identity, presence, religion and off course nationalism.
What has been happening in this country? The very social fabric of our country has been tarnished. This Hindu Muslim debate has sparked a long dent of image of India as a secular Nation. People have been taunted and hurt for their religious beliefs. We live in a country where we have Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, all living in communal harmony for years. This growing intolerance, which was even highlighted by highest epitome of Justice, Supreme Court, has not just created a wall between two individuals from different community, but also has carved a new cancerous growth in the minds of this upcoming generation.
The ruling government with the help of some negative tactics are successful in showcasing that in India a population of a religious group called Muslims are not Indians and even a word of utter supportive or in favourable to their cause may lead to anti-nationalism. Islamophobia is being cooked in every saffron kitchen.
What message are we giving to our new young minds? That talking about secularism is bad? Talking about a particular religion is bad? Talking or taking side of a particular religion means anti national? I can’t understand as to why these political entities are trying to create a rift just to gain political mileage.
Also I think the deep cause is the Hindutva agenda which is being propagated in minds by a particular party. People of this country have lived for thousands of years without being affected with these topics. But suddenly after the onslaught of 2014, this agenda is taken on a more aggressive mode. With 2019 elections nearby and the popular thought that only polarisation will help them to win votes has ruin the social fabric of this country. People of this country are wise enough to visualise the consequences that will occur due to this policy of ruling party.
At this time a debate nationwide #talk to a Muslim was started. Instead I feel it’s a need of the hour for every Hindu to #talk to a human, for every Muslim “talk to a human”, for every Christian talk to a human, and for every Sikh talk to a human. We may be from any religion, but while talking to others, think first that we are talking to a human and not a Muslim or Hindu or Christian. Being human is what we should all be. And these divide and rule policies of politics should be shattered if we want to really see a glorious nation in future.
