Changing India

The place that India is enjoying in the world is upshot of Ghandian philosophy. Ghandi demarcated state and religion leading to communal harmony and this commitment to secularism gave an elevated position to the country in the eyes of world. But with the installation of Modi as Prime minister, things are rapidly changing. Every passing day vindicates the opinion of those who believe that the two nation theory was flawless.
Though bunch of fundamentalists are eulogists but major section of society is scared and are anticipating scathe through this regime .Within a month after Modi took over the charge, some newfangled ideas are being implemented which makes us to believe “Desh Badal Raha Hai’’ (India is changing) .However , is this change for good or worse, only time can tell but hitherto it seems to be sorrier as far as minority rights are concerned .The first transmutation that is being witnessed is the shift in status of Cow. Life of person doesn’t matter, chastity of woman is immaterial but Cow must not be harmed. Mahila Rakshak brigade has now been replaced by Gaw Rakshaks who have been licensed to lynch people if they smell of beef. Ghar wapsi, Love Jihad, Akhand Bharat and other anti-secular terms are echoing. Nathu Ram Godse turned hero from villain, while for Ghandi reverse became true. Some started reverie about presence of Ganesha in mosques; others launched campaign for Muslim free nation. Replacing names of streets from Humayun to Hanuman speaks volumes about jingoism and outlook of this regime .Not only Muslims, Dalit began to face heat. Unlike earlier, news about lynching of Muslims and inhuman approach towards Dalit community are marking the headlines of newspapers. It seems that this regime is all set, either to wipe out Muslim and Dalit population or pronounce banishment on them.
Presently, People like Salman Rushdi, an American, Tasleema Nasreen, Bangladeshian, Tarek Fateh ,Canadian ,Anti Islamists having no takers in their respective nations, found dwelling place in India and receive guest welcome on Indian biased media .This is not just coincidence but undeclared “Man Ki Baat”. Meanwhile in attempt to nourish its mission of Muslim free India (Hindu rastra), Dr. Zakir Naik the influential Islamic orator became focal point. From couple of months news about him is making rounds. In fact Dr. Naik, strong Muslim voice who attracted lacs through his eloquence, opened up minds of people, revolutionized intellect and vision of youth, promoted Islamophilia (Love for Islam) in the hearts of thousands through his precise understanding of religion, has unnerved ultra nationalists. They foresaw their mission of Hindu Rashtra wrecking. Thus only option left was to gag this voice. Actually with this purport government has declared war against him in pretext of accusation of influencing and propagating terrorism .

If such designs doesn’t invoke disfavor from pseudo-secularists, Muslim population of India need to understand that targeting Dr. Naik is assault on entire Muslim community, not on particular school of thought or ideology and little insensitivity towards it can have repercussions as next anti –Muslim propaganda “Uniform Civil Code” is on cards, with ulterior motive of MPL nullification .Before it is too late ,need of hour is to wake up from slumber and raise the voice to demand rights and justice that Indian constitution has guaranteed to its citizens.

In point of fact, controversy started after a report in Bangladeshi news paper “Daily Star” stating that Zakir Naik inspired one of the perpetrators of the 11 July terror attack in Dhaka. It is said, Rohan Imtiyaz___Brain behind the attack ran propoganda on facebook last year quoting Dr. Naik. To provide substance to accusation, many of the news channels in India are repeatedly showing a clipping where Zakir Naik is saying that every Muslim should be a “terrorist”. In respond to which he responded affirmatively, “Yes it is me saying it but it is out of context. I said a terrorist is a person who terrorizes someone. I also gave an example that a policeman terrorizes a robber. So, for a robber a policeman is a terrorist. In this context, every Muslim should be a terrorist to the anti-social elements”. Without considering his actual view point, Government launched multiple probes against him. Surprisingly, government is yet to come clean about his crime? However, unjust and unfair action has already been intaited. His Trust namely Islamic Research Foundation, with motive of imparting education and training them for proselytizing of Islam, has been put under Prior Permission Category to prevent it from receiving foreign funds without getting nod from Govt, asserting their utilization for alleged radicalization of youth and inspiring them in terror activities. Government is geared-up to cancel FCRA registration of his institute and even intends to declare it unlawful association. There is no doubt that authorities have no substantial evidence to prove his guilt they in anyhow had to implicate Dr. Naik that they did.
Let’s assume he enticed people to go on killing spree and deserves legal action, how then, the leaders asking people to rape dead Muslim women can enjoy impunity. How people promoting lynching can escape action of law? How those, who provoke non-Muslims against Muslims are immune or doesn’t the statement “India isn’t for Muslims, they either must be deported to Pakistan or send to Qabristan” encompass term “Provocation”? .Is Article-14- “Equality before Law” meaningless? Does law vary from community to community? If “No’’ is the answer then why minorities are under threat in much hyped pluralistic and diverse nation? Why the people, who on daily basis deliver sermons about democracy, secularism, civil and religious rights don’t even bat an eyelid. Why their conscience is not shaken, when a particular community is being terrorized and targeted. Why self claimed secularists are silent, when sentiments of one cult doesn’t matter for other and when Gandhism is trampled in Ghandi’s country.
It is also bitter truth, designing of Din-ilahi demanded collaboration of Abu Fazl and Faizi. Repeating history, several paid, unfamiliar Muslim pseudo-scholars, were employed to spew venom against Dr. Naik for legitimizing and practicing the agenda of muzzling the Muslim voice .Enslaving their conscience, they also lived beyond their expectations but forgot today it is Dr. Naik, tomorrow it would be their turn.
If such designs doesn’t invoke disfavor from pseudo-secularists, Muslim population of India need to understand that targeting Dr. Naik is assault on entire Muslim community, not on particular school of thought or ideology and little insensitivity towards it can have repercussions as next anti –Muslim propaganda “Uniform Civil Code” is on cards, with ulterior motive of MPL nullification .Before it is too late ,need of hour is to wake up from slumber and raise the voice to demand rights and justice that Indian constitution has guaranteed to its citizens.

——– (The author writes exclusively for “Kashmir Horizon”. The views of the author are his personal and not of “Kashmir Horizon”)