Do Muslims require advice on Islamic matters from Hindutva forces?

-Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal
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True, Muslims, even if not all,  need counselling from Islamic pundits known as Ulema on how best to lead  life  so that  their Hereafter  is secured for them.  But  it doesn't look tenable that non-Muslims as well as anti-Muslims begin to advise the Muslims how to  live in non-Islamic nations  so as to  be seen as patriotic. 

Let us not discuss who are the real patriots? 

Very close on heels of the proactive  message of Premier  Narendra Modi suing pro-Muslim words uncharacteristic of Hindutva parties  that harp on communal  clashes for Hindu votes,  the prime communal and essentially anti-national Siva Sena party has issues  a list of dos an don’ts to Indian Muslims essentially asking them to behave.

Quite likely, the Siva Sena and other ultra  communal parties in secular India may have been  deeply worried about the fallout of pro-Muslims statements by  BJP leader in India because  the Hindutva parties could lose its Hindu vote banks in the country created by sheer hate politics. .

The Shiv Sena said Narendra Modi has lauded Indian Muslims for their patriotism and also urged Indian Muslims “not to let down” Modi after he praised the community for its patriotism and love for the country in an interview.

Shiv Sena is damn sure that all Hindutva outfit sin India will never give up their ultra and aggressive Hindutva ideology. It said in an editorial in the party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ that Modi has initiated a new chapter by giving a guarantee of the community’s love for its motherland. Now, Muslims must not let him down”.  Frowning on Hindu hardliners, it said that by making this statement, Modi has not diluted his staunch Hindutva ideology.

The editorial said the entire minority community cannot be held responsible for the misdeeds of a handful of Muslims indulging in terror activities. “Modi is the prime minister of the country and of all communities and people…But, he has been always painted as ‘anti-Muslim’ by pseudo-secularists of the country,” it argues.

Siva Sena claims  it owns tough “but fair Hindutva” propounded by the Shiv Sena patriarch and founder late Bal Thackeray, like other Indian politicians,  used cricket to boost his own and party image. Siva Sena also claims that Bal Thackeray always was not against Muslims. But, always opposed those who celebrated Pakistani cricket team’s win against India because Hindus  blast semi explosives when and make aggressive  demonstrations in Muslim localities when India by chance defeats Pakistan. Sena considers those who showcase aggressively their majority Hindutva character   by insulting and terrorizing the minority Muslims are patriots while those who defend Islam are automatically traitors

Yet, Sena claims that it has the highest respect for nationalist Muslims.

Modi has spoken well of Indian Muslims in order to prevent them from supporting Islamic fundamentalist but terror groups like Al-Qaeda and quite likely a  reply to Washington seeking Indian military support for NATO terror operations in Islamic world.

The Shiv Sena blames Congress for its vote bank politics that harmed the genuine Muslim interests in the country. lamented that certain communal elements attempted to create a schism between the 20-crore Muslims and other communities for their vested political interests. They were pampered by Congress and made to feel like “princes” while certain Muslim leaders relying on numbers, resorted to political bargaining – which is nothing short of terror, it said.

In extending its  advisory list for Indian Muslims, the Sena  party has even boldly called upon Muslims to sing ‘Vande Mataram’ in tandem with the rest of the country, put a halt to the “alleged anti-national teachings” imparted in ‘madrassas’ and discard the “minority community veil” (burqa) which would result in many political shops downing shutters permanently.

It is indeed too much on the part of Sena communal outfits and this amount sot interference in the religious freedoms of Muslims as major minority community of India.

Don’t these Hindu communal fanatics know that the Madrassas impart Islamic education, including teaching of Holy Quran and Holt Prophet as well as history of Islam? How does it bother them? Why should burqa that protects womanhood from evil eyes worry the communal Hindus so much?

Once the politics of religion ends, India has the potential to progress and become an influential, global superpower, the Shiv Sena said. However, this is hampered by the ignorance and non-cooperation of the community, who are influenced by certain leaders bent on keeping the community “in the ditch of backwardness”. ‘Saamana’ appealed to the Muslims to get on to the national mainstream and not let down Modi for his appreciation of the community

Today, they would ask Muslims to sing vande maderum  , tomorrow they will ask them to drink rum and later on, the would  instruct Indian Muslims to change their names  into Hindu ones and finally ask them to convert into Hinduism if  they want to live with life. Perhaps, even worse can happen as Hindutva forces would face the threat of existence in a new, really secular society and eventually close their Hindutva shops for good. 

It should be mentioned here that aggressive religious propaganda for Hindu votes with loud stereo noises by misusing temple celebrations  has badly influenced  even Muslims  who now try to emulate the loud stereo noise culture  in Mosque functions. . 

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For communal harmony to take roots in  secular India, there should be mutual counseling and advising. When Hindutva  Siva Sena  urges Muslims to sing “vande mandaram” to identify themselves with India and Hinduism,  the Hindus also should say “Laailaaha Illallah, Muhammadarrasulallah” as a positive gesture towards Muslims so that mutual harmony  becomes real and credible and sustainable.

Whether or not Siva Sena boys recite the purely Islamic commitment “Laailaaha Illallah, Muhammadarrasulallah” in order to uphold communal harmony, they are not supposed insult Muslims just because the government, media, judiciary, police, military , etc are on their side. True Muslims do not expect  it at all.  Hindutva parties like BJP, Siva Sena etc should try not to complicate the already weakened life of ordinary Muslims further by  communally  motivated  rhetoric made for poll purposes. 

Both hands must unite in order make a sensibly audible clap, it is said.  Time has come for a credible patch up and premier Narendra Modi's positive statement should serve as the starting point in  truly secular democratic traditions in India.