10th Anniversary Issue
August - September 2003 

Year 10    No.90-91
FAITH


 


CC stands for justice and peace’

Uzma Naheed

Communalism Combat has successfully completed ten years of its existence. It is not just continuation that is important but the act of standing firmly for a noble cause. It stands for peace, justice, and an impartial and unbiased approach in looking at events in the right perspective. It is strange but not surprising that I heard about Teesta Setalvad and Communalism Combat in various cities of the U.S.A., spoken of with respect and love.

I must congratulate those who are behind this yeoman job, for it requires tremendous passion, high acumen and a lifetime commitment to be able to do this in a polarised and highly charged society with a communal divide. This is particularly important as the government at the Centre itself has a definite tilt towards the communal policies of Hindu fundamentalists.

The best thing about Communalism Combat is that I have always found it insightful and thoughtful, never inclined to impulsiveness or exaggeration; it is concise in displaying what they call "economy in language". The riots in Gujarat and thereafter, the allegations against the sangh parivar, its denials, and face-saving devices by the governments in the state and at the Centre, has created so much chaos in socio-political circles that at times even the best writers were found to be incapable of discerning right from wrong.

Muslims in India are the largest minority, yet the community has remained largely at the receiving end during the last fifty years, in the post-Independence era. A chain of communal riots targeted centres that were considered bastions of Muslim artisans to break the backbone of the even otherwise shattered economy of Muslims. Moradabad (brass articles), Ferozepur (bangles), Bhiwandi and Malegaon (powerlooms), Meerut (farmers) and Jamshedpur (labourers) are a few examples that evoke images that are far from attractive. In fact, I find them most alarming and offensive.

Muslims, in fact, deserve national empathy as they continue to grapple with numerous challenges in the five decades of struggle after Partition. In ‘More in Common than you think’, William Baker writes: "If Muslims and Islam are to be judged by actions and policies of a minuscule few who preach violence, hatred and death then Christians and Christianity, Jews and Judaism, Buddhists and Buddhism all must likewise be judged on those exact same standards."

During the last fifteen years of my social and public life, I have found that issues like the Babri Masjid and common civil code are deliberately raised to foment high passion among the illiterate masses and to blame the Muslims for not changing their ways into paths that could lead them to progress. Unfortunately, even educated and well informed non-Muslims think that there is a large segment among the Muslim community who are inclined to reject any pragmatic approach to the problems facing them, without offering any alternative solutions, who are hypersensitive about religious dogma, and quick to call your faith into question if you express an opinion that does not agree with their pre-set notions.

In fact, Islam strongly enjoins Muslims to obey the public law wherever they live. Despite the excellent criminal laws in our country, thousands of heinous crimes, including murder and rape, are being committed every day. Yet, no one has ever challenged the efficacy of these laws or asked for changes in them. Similarly, personal laws could also be infringed by some people, making the aggrieved party suffer, for which the law in itself should not be held responsible. A secular government need not and should not, impinge on the practice of any religion.

It is sad that in schools the children are indoctrinated to distrust and hate Muslims and Christians by fostering interfaith hostilities. The purpose seems to be to promote strife between various communities. For them, no act of violence against Muslims and Christians is unjustified and no word of vulgarity is harsh. There appear to be three apparent reasons for this onslaught: a) to cover up their own injustices to their own society and to humanity, b) to win public opinion with misinformation and c) to infuriate minorities, particularly Muslims, to incite them into committing acts of violence. We have no control over the first two but I strongly feel that we must make sure that our love for religion should not overwhelm us to play the game of our adversaries. Also, we must understand that each challenge of this information age opens new doors for us to inform, educate and enhance ideals of peace and justice.

(Uzma Naheed is executive director, Iqra Education Foundation).


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