India's conflict: Babri Masjid Ram Janambhoomi is a leadership issue, Hai koi Mai ka Lal?

India’s conflict: Babri Masjid Ram Janambhoomi is a leadership issue, Hai koi Mai ka Lal? (Is there a true son of Mother Bharat?)

URL – http://nabsites.net/demo/indias-conflict-babri-masjid-ra/

Twenty
one years ago today on December 6, 2013, the hypocrite Indians who call
India their mother, ripped her apart.  Not only did they hurt the other
children of that mother but destroyed their historic symbol; Babri
Masjid.   

Do we have a leader among Indians who considers every Indian to be an Indian, and nothing but an Indian?

In
August of 2003, ten years ago, I talked about Ayodhya; here is clip
from Mark Donald’s Across the Divide in Dallas Observer, a lead story
for that week.

“Ayodhya. It is an issue a lot of Indian-Americans
shun talking about,” Ghouse tells his radio audience. “But we must talk
about it. We only know some aspects of the issue. When we learn all
aspects, it brings some sort of resolution. It settles the dust in our
minds, and when the dust settles, it gives clarity, peace of mind. It
gives you freedom from the bondage of your prejudice.”

On this
issue, however, Ghouse can’t resist offering his own opinion. He sees
the problem as political rather than religious, exploited by Hindu
extremists within the BJP to solidify their power. His idea is to defuse
the problem through conciliation. “My suggestion is that Muslims should
offer the land to build a temple for Ram. That is what a majority of
Muslims in India feel. That is what a majority of Hindus feel. Let’s not
fight over an issue that is not going to help my children get education
or get food on the table.

Quickly, he gulps some water and
wipes a thin layer of sweat from his brow. “I will take your calls now. I
will take all opinions, no matter how extreme, no matter how calm, no
matter how agitated. All opinions are welcome.”

The legitimate
fear that holds Muslims from putting an end to this conflict is really
not the land; it is the bent of the extremist politicians who want to
dupe the common Hindus into believing that, to be a Hindu, one has to be
anti-Muslim.

Of
course India’s pluralistic ethos is deeper and has a solid foundation
for the majority of Hindus to fall into the extremist politician’s trap,
who want to wipe out everything that is Muslim. Thank God that is not
the view of Hindu majority. However, the ones who scream the loudest get
the hearing and corrupt the goodness of an average Hindu.

There
are millions of Muslims out there who would want to live in harmony
with every Indian regardless of his religion, caste or linguistic
heritage, and that has been the tradition.  Many of us want to be a part
of building the Ram Temple and let go of the Mosque, but the blood
thirsty politicians will not be satisfied with it, there is no end to
their demands, they want more, and more and every pound of flesh from
Muslims.

This is what is holding the nation.  Do we have a leader
among BJP who considers every Indians to be an Indian – no matter what
that Indian eats, drinks, wears or believes? Do we have a Hindu leader
who can rack up support to put an end to the harassment of Muslims,
Christians, Dalits and other minorities in their daily conversations? Do
we have a leader whose word is an iron clad guarantee that if Muslims
walk away from Babri Masjid, they will not be pushed to give more and
more? If there is a mai ka laal son of Bharat Mata, come forward, it
will put an end to the conflict and we all can live our own lives and
mind our own business.

The Indian Muslims are sick of the blame
and the ugly comments hurled at them about India’s partition, attacks of
Ghazni on Somnath or the cruelties and Massacres of Aurangzeb. Many a
parents teach their children to hate, and build biases against Muslims.
It is not good for any one.

The Muslims of independent India are
not responsible for the Partition, attacks of Ghazni or cruelty of
Aurangzeb, just as the present day Hindus are not responsible for the
past cruelties towards untouchables and burning of widows. This must be
clearly understood and taught to bring Mukti (freedom) to both Hindus
and Muslims from the bondage of the past.

Deep down, all humans
seek justice and a balance in life, and without it, they are lost in
sectarian warfare. As a member of the civilized nations, we need to
collectively work towards building a cohesive India, where no Indian has
to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other — an India
where everyone is free to eat, drink, wear and believe whatever suits
him/her.

Indeed, it is the battle for India’s soul. I have
offered many suggestions over the years and have hosted several radio
talk shows including this one on August 29, 2003 at Dallas Observer.

What
we need is trust building steps and Indians taking responsibility for
their commitments. The Civility of a nation is measured by how she
treats her women, children, and the ones in ditches, the minorities and
the voiceless. An Australian professor shot back and wanted to know
India’s record.

Neither Indian, nor Australian or American
system will score 100 in civility, but certainly it has the structure to
contribute towards that goal, and if the rule of law prevails.

As
a solution, India has offered reservations in jobs, and education
system to those economically backward and those in the ditches to uplift
them, we still have Sachar Report’s recommendations to be implemented
to uplift Muslims. We have to pull every one up from the ditches to a
point from which they will be competitive. Harassment and Oppression of
women continues female infanticide is a daily occurrence.

However,
India’s laws are equitable, the knowledge of which has not permeated
into the whole society, nor its implementation occurs.  Thanks to the
internet and social media, the society will eventually monitor itself.
You can be who you want to be in India. It’s a tough battle, but
legally, our path is paved.

We just need an Indian leader with
the balls of Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, who can say, “From this day
forward, I want all Indians to be with me for a common destiny and
common good of every Indian. My fellow Indians who are Muslims are
willing to walk away from Babri Masjid provided we will not demand and
ask any more from them and change how we educate our children to treat
every Indian with dignity.  Let’s put an end to the conflict and we all
can live our own lives, take care of our families and be the best
citizens we can be by caring for fellow humans.”  Is there an Indian
politician who can say this?

 
Jai Hind

Mike Ghouse is a speaker,
thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India,
interfaith, and cohesion at work place. He is committed to building cohesive
societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at
www.TheGhousediary.com.

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.
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a
writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work
place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers
pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in
Standing up for others
and has done that throughout his life as an activist. Mike has a presence on
national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on
Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to
the Texas Faith Column at Dallas
Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; and
several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work
through many links.