It is conflicts like the ongoing Israel-Hamas War that become the turning points in geopolitical situations exposing deeper ideological leanings and allegiances. Irrespective of one’s position on this conflict, one needs to condemn the barbaric terrorist attack on Israeli civilians as well as the innocent Palestinian lives lost in the Israeli retaliation. However, certain political and religious organisations operating on Indian soil seem to be having their moral compass skewed and loyalties misplaced.
In a shocking development from Malappuram in Kerala, Khaled Mashal, the former chief of the terrorist organisation Hamas, virtually addressed a ‘solidarity event’ organised by the Solidarity Youth Movement on 27 October. The group is the youth wing of the extremist outfit, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. When confronted, the organisers—Solidarity Youth Movement (SYM)—dismissed the controversy, asserting in a press note that Hamas is a “resistance movement” and Meshaal a “freedom fighter”.
Very crude analogies have been drawn between the heroes of the Indian freedom struggle as well as the Hamas terrorists, citing terms like ‘self-determination’ and ‘sovereignty’. There are two reasons why there is nothing common between the two situations; first, the heroes of the Indian freedom struggle did not commit barbaric atrocities on innocent British civilians, and second, the Indian freedom struggle aimed at creating a modern, democratic republic as opposed to the Sharia apartheid state Hamas wishes to establish.
In retrospect, this might come across as another run-of-the-mill terror recruit addressing another rally but in the grand scheme of things, this is a major impediment in the progress towards a more harmonious society. Communal harmony is not a one-way street; every minute action from a community creates a ripple effect and starts a chain of actions and reactions. While it is essential to address genuine concerns and promote inclusivity, it is equally important to acknowledge the freedom and opportunities that Indian Muslims enjoy in a diverse and pluralistic society.
One of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution is the freedom of religion. Indian Muslims, like all citizens, have the right to practice, preach, and propagate their faith without discrimination. India is home to one of the world’s largest Muslim populations, and the diversity within the Muslim community is a testament to the nation’s inclusive fabric. From the Sufi traditions to the Shia and Sunni sects, India accommodates a wide spectrum of Islamic beliefs, which are openly practised.
Indian Muslims have access to a robust educational system, including state-run and private institutions. A significant number of Muslims have excelled in various academic disciplines and made substantial contributions to the nation’s intellectual and cultural heritage. Prominent scholars, scientists, writers, and artists from the Muslim community have been recognised both nationally and internationally.
India has a vibrant democratic system that ensures political representation for all communities. Muslim leaders have played key roles in various political parties and have held positions of power and influence at both state and national levels. This representation is an essential aspect of India’s democratic values and the preservation of minority rights.
The economic landscape in India offers opportunities for all citizens, irrespective of their religious background. Indian Muslims have established themselves in diverse fields, including business, entrepreneurship, and various professions. The success stories of Indian Muslims in the corporate world and other economic sectors underscore their ability to thrive in a competitive environment.
The narrative of Muslim victimhood is largely pumped by individuals either suffering from a saviour-messiah complex or attempting to build a political career. When Rajdeep Sardesai asked CPI(M) leader MA Baby how the rally by the Solidarity Youth Movement (SYM) was allowed when former Hamas chief Khaled Mashal addressed the crowd. In his reply, MA Baby cited freedom of speech and said any legal organisation is free to hold rallies for any cause, including for Palestinians or any other “liberation movement”. He further refused to acknowledge the content of the speech by the Hamas leader and said whatever was being talked about in the media was just speculation over what he said. He further emphasised the fact that Hamas is not a banned organisation in India. He further asserted that it was unclear if there was any element of radicalisation in the speech.
He also cited United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ statement where he said, “It is important to also recognise the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum. The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation. They have seen their land steadily devoured by settlements and plagued by violence; their economy stifled, their people displaced, and their homes demolished. Their hopes for a political solution to their plight have been vanishing.”
This is a classic example of using the progressive values of the Indian Constitution as a shield while actively working to eradicate those same values in the long run. First of all, even free speech absolutists would agree that incitement of violence by the actual head of a known terrorist outfit is not covered under freedom of speech, let alone in a culturally diverse and traditional country like India. Second, the progressive values of the Indian Constitution do not exist in a vacuum; they are a continuation of thousands of years old tradition of tolerance and inclusivity. The civilisational ethos of the Indian subcontinent have, in their core, a deep respect for opposing point of views and a rich culture of debate and discussion. Denigrating Indic culture, Indic religions and Hindu sentiment day in and out and then taking refuge behind the progressive values that are in a continuum of the same culture is akin to taking the Hindu community for granted.
While it is essential to recognise the freedom and opportunities available to Indian Muslims, it is equally important to acknowledge that there are challenges and issues that need to be addressed. Discrimination, communal violence, and socioeconomic disparities exist in various pockets of the country. However, these problems are not exclusive to the Muslim community and should be tackled collectively by society as a whole. The narrative that there is a grand conspiracy at play where Muslims are being deliberately kept backwards and then using it to justify inviting heads of terrorist organisations is both technically wrong as well as morally corrupt. There are several historical reasons for Muslims being backward, lack of scientific temperament and disregard for education being some of them.
It is about time that we, as a community, take responsibility for the condition that we are in, which would be the first step towards bettering the situation on the ground.
The author takes special interest in history, culture and geopolitics. He is a proponent of religious reform and identifies himself as “an Indic Muslim exploring Vedic knowledge and cultural heritage through music”. When he is not writing columns, he enjoys playing drums and performing raps. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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