MUSLIM EXISTENCE AT TWO LEVELS: M YUSUF KHAN (Previously
published in The
Pioneer)
An Indian Muslim lives on two levels. One is when he
is on his own turf interacting with his fraternity. He is unguarded
and expresses freely his sense of grief about the discrimination he
encounters, about the way his loyalty to his country is questioned,
about the way his religion is perceived and projected.
The other is when he is all too charming interacting with the
members of the other communities. He considers himself to be the
ambassador of his faith, trying conscientiously to create the right
impression with a sense of guilt lingering somewhere at the back of
his mind. Is it the guilt of Partition of the country or of the
years of Muslim rule, which has been imposed on him? Or is it the
minority syndrome to live on two levels at the same time, trying
hard to strike a balance to be accepted by society?
It is a complex situation that he has to grapple with. Indian
Muslims have come a long way trying to forget the traumatic division
of the country. Yet the feeling of vulnerability has never left them
entirely. It is a negative emotion and they do not cherish it. But
whenever they have lulled themselves into believing that things are
normal, shrill communal voices of a few jolt and alarm them.
Time and again they are blamed for not joining the mainstream.
How can they be part of the mainstream, if there is one, when they
are in real fear of losing their identity - the only prized
possession they have? What is this business of being in the
mainstream? Be a partner in the progress? Have a fair share of the
cake? Is this possible given the neglect they have suffered? They
feel they have never been treated fairly. They should have been
helped to overcome their insecurity instead of being subjected to
alienation so often. That drove them further into their corner. They
needed a messiah. But there was none. They were let down by their
own leaders. They were easily exploited, as reason had long given
way to the all-powerful emotions.
Muslims feel hurt and
disillusioned when they are accused of being "appeased" buy a
certain political party. If they were appeased and pampered they
would not be in the squalor they are in. The appeasement would show
in their lifestyle, in their living conditions and their education.
They are trailing on all fronts. Their identity crisis is
accentuated whenever there is a talk of a common civil code. Why
can't they be left alone to conduct their affairs within the bounds
of their faith which, doesn't interfere with the national interest?
The only concern is shown to the community in the matter of the
law governing divorce and alimony. As if by changing these all other
ills plaguing the community will disappear setting them on the path
of progress. The core issues like education, equal opportunity and
discrimination are never mentioned. A Muslim does not live on two
levels by choice. It is the discrimination he is subjected that make
him behave the way he does. Be it SIMI or Madarsas, he is convinced
they are targeted because they have something to do with the
Muslims. He would like to know why Bajrang dal and VHP activists who
indulge in all kind of activities are never banned.
The Madarsas have been bearing the onslaught of the media and
some political parties relentlessly for being the breeding ground of
terrorism. Yet not a single criminal case has been filed against
anyone of them, but the vilification goes on. If only Muslims could
afford better schools the number of Madarsas will automatically come
down. Muslims do not need the crutches of job reservations, as some
of their leaders have been demanding. It will further divide the
society and alienate them. They will also be accused of being
appeased. Instead most positive thinking Muslims will like better
educational opportunities and facilities. They realise that
ultimately it is the judicious mix of religious studies and the
quality of modern, contemporary education, which will bring real
progress.
The community leaders before blaming the Government would do
better to do some introspection to see what has been their
contribution to the community in terms of education and
direction.
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