What the Indian Muslims Are Afraid Of

By: Asad Mirza

Are the Indian Muslims afraid of statues- big or small- being built across India, of new temples being built in every locality, or any icon being built to pay tributes to Hindu Gods and leaders? The answer is a simple NO.

The Indian Muslim like every common Indian citizen is more concerned about having a roof over his and his family’s head, of providing two square meals to his family, ensuring education for his children and saving for the future, the dreams which are shared by all.

Muslims form part of the farmers groups across the country who are committing suicide due to failed crops, the fear of loan default and poor price for his crop in the market.

They are bothered by bad road connectivity of their village to the nearest health centre or school or market like everyone else.

People tend to think about the common Indian Muslim at the time of elections, as a myth has been created that Muslims vote as a vote bank and are influenced by one call given by a cleric or an influential community leader.

The reality is completely different from what is portrayed through our media, viewed through a fractured prism, feeding in different distorted views.

Indian Muslims, who fight shoulder to shoulder with their co-religionists at the country’s border, are concerned not about what is being said about them by a certain section of the political system.

They are concerned about equal opportunities for their children, in government and private sector jobs, educational institutions, and health care facilities for their families and lead their life in a safe and secure environment ensured by the state.
Like all they want to be equal partners in the development and progress of India.

Why they are not bothered by these statues and other icons is based on the fact that Indian Muslims have lived for centuries in this country, have adopted its rich culture and traditions, weaving it into their daily life and forming a rich tapestry of coexistence and respect for others religion and views. They share common bonds and aspirations with other Indians.

I would not like to go into the details of how the Muslim rulers in India cared for their subjects, irrespective of their religion, history has enough proofs of that. Suffice it to say that in this land mosques and temples, churches and synagogues have stood side by side; the same road leads to a mandir, gurudwara, masjid or a church. We are not going to be cowed down by any doomsday analysis or fear psychosis.

Indian Muslims have always been part of the syncretic religio-cultural activities of this country. Muslim craftsmen have been part of making Ravan’s effigies every Dussehra, they abound in numbers in west Bengal making idols of Ma Kaali, Ram Padukas in Ayodhya are made by Muslim carpenters, examples abound on both sides of sharing and partnering with each other, and the Indian Muslim is not afraid of standing along with his fellow citizens in celebrating their festivals.

What the Indian Muslim is afraid of are those political leaders who for their bigoted and misjudged aims are hell bent on destroying the secular, coexistent fabric of this country by their nefarious and fissiparous acts. They are afraid of their own community leaders who are unable to take a clear stand on any religious issues in the light of the Holy Quran and the hadith, due to their political masters. The Indian Muslim is afraid of those leaders who are trying to break this country once again into pieces, as that of pre-1947, to further their twisted view of the history, who instead of learning from history are hell-bent on twisting it.

The Indian Muslim is not afraid of their fellow countrymen or their religions. This should be accepted and understood by all proclaiming contrary to this.

Asad Mirza is a Sr journalist based in New Delhi. In his career spanning more than 20 years, he was also associated with BBC Urdu Service and Khaleej Times of Dubai. He writes on Muslims, educational and international affairs issues.