It would be a welcome thing if the tabligh people were to propagate real Islamic values which are not in conflict with the secular ethos of a society like India. But it seems that in the garb of spreading Islam, these people are propagating a form of pseudo–belief. Take the case of Satara. With prominent ‘tikkas’ on the forehead (a sign that a person performs namaaz regularly), members of the tabligh with flowing beards and a Lukhnavi topi (cap) on their heads have been doing the rounds (gasht) in each and every Muslim corner of Satara town. But here is a sample of the kind of views the jamaat is spreading:

An elderly person with an impressive beard, a cap on his clean shaven head, and a tasbih (rosary) in his left hand is the centre of all attention while young Muslims boys, their heads bowed respectfully, listen to him in rapt attention. This is how the discourse begins: "Aaap to jaante hain, yeh duniya khuda ne sirf Musalmanon ke liye banayee hai; par ab hum dekh rahe hain ki duniya mein sabse zyaada pareshan kaun hain — wahi Muslim" (As you know, God has created this world only for Muslims. But who are the people whose plight is the worst in today’s world — the same Muslims). People in the audience nod their heads in approval. The elderly man proceeds further: "Now, to change our lot, we should only think of what happens after we enter the grave. God will then test us for how much progress we have made in religiosity. If we do not prepare for it from now itself, our situation will be similar to someone who is standing on the platform but misses the train because he failed to get inside on time. And on the Day of Judgment we shall be condemned to hell".

Instead of trying to find solutions to the problems of mass illiteracy among Muslims, of growing poverty and the decline in their social status, jamaat leaders are only concerned with teaching ill–informed Muslims to forget this world and concentrate all their thoughts on life after death. The few local people who realise the folly of such teaching have to keep quiet, due to fear of ex–communication from the community. It is clear that the clergy issuing such fatwas wish to suppress any progressive views expressed within the community for the benefit of Muslims.

As is usually the case during the Tablighi gashts, local youth accompany the Jamaat’s amir (head) as he goes from door to door. Out of curiosity I, too, met the amir. After exchanging greetings, I asked him about his background. He said he was working as a branch manager in a nationalised bank. I asked him about his children. He told me that his children were well–educated — the eldest was a chartered accountant, the middle one an engineer, while the youngest was studying for an engineering degree.

I next asked his companions similar questions. Some said they had finished school, while some others replied they had studied till the 12th standard. Hardly any had even joined the graduation course. The amir seemed to realise what I was getting at and was almost dumb–struck. But, he still kept insisting that I join the Jamaat’s ijtema (gathering) in the evening.