The article referenced below is a not to miss article about Indian Muslims. I am writing this commentary in the plane on the way to Denver, to officiate a Hindu-Muslim wedding. I’ll send this to telegraph to publish as a comment.
Every Indian should read and reflect on the consequence of exclusions, and the othering of Muslims.
Indian Muslims and Christians are the examples of non-violence. Despite the humiliation and daily threats to their livelihood and their existence, they have chosen not to entertain the thoughts of getting even or revenge. They must be admired, but there is a limit to such patience, even Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of non-violence declared one should rise against tyranny and use violence if necessary to restore peace and harmony.
If Christians and Muslims are further pushed, and if they take up violence to defend the lives of their families and livelihood, there will be a genocide.
Of course, in the ensuing blood bath, both Hindus and Muslims will be killed.
Most certainly to the blood thirsty Hindutva Terrorists, tacitly led by three evil sadistic men, three times more Muslims will be killed than Hindus, but innocent Indians of all stripes will be killed.
It’s in the interests of every Indian to condemn this, I don’t think the evil BJP men will do anything to stop, so it’s the responsibility of the civil society to speak up for the sake of peace, peace to each one of them. Who wants to live in fear?
I’m so glad the author included Sikh practices. Sikhs must be applauded for their guts to take a stand about wearing their turbans and carrying a sword, they will never take a no to practice their faith. Similarly the African Americans threat of violence led to civil rights act. Muslims have to stand and speak boldly, if the majority of good Hindus are shaken up, then things will change.
India was never a secular nation, it was always a pluralistic state, the word Pluralism did not exist then, so, secularism was inserted in the republic.
Religious Pluralism is respecting the otherness of the others. Each group was allowed to practice their faith, and every group had their own religious laws to abide. However, we have the same criminal and civil laws for all people. It’s the best form of governance. When we have a sane government, and BJP-mukt-!Bharat, we can add the word Pluralism with a thumping majority of Parliamentarian and Raj Sabha members.
God save India, and restore sanity and common sense to Hindutva terrorists. I don’t have a single thread of hope with the three evil men: Modi-Shah-Yogi, but I’ve faith in the Hindu majority to speak up, but Muslims must speak out boldly and wake them up.
Let’s begin, as Goethe said, there is genius and power in boldness. The Center for Pluralism will roll out a series of action plans for all the sane Indians to act.
Mike Ghouse is a social scientist, bold speaker, author, and an interfaith wedding officiant. He is the founder and CEO of the Center for Pluralism. More about him at www.TheGhouseDiary.com