Giving an international twist by the West Asian countries like Oman, Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi usual to the overstepping of a TV debate by lowly party functionaries is a politically immature act. By such an act, the Islamic countries, and organizations like OIC expose and alienate Indian Muslims, which must not be.
The prompt action by the BJP national headquarters on the offenders was extreme and must be enough to douse the anger of those who felt offended. However, it must be remembered by one and all that respect for other religions, other gods, or prophets must not confine only to the majority Hindu community. The sentiment must be reciprocated in letter and spirit by all others as well.
India was paupered by the British while leaving in 1947 amid starvation and famines. Our stride today has been largely due to social uplifting in every way, including the minorities. The realization of mosques built over demolished temples could be a well-crafted strategy to polarize communities, which may have some short-term political benefits, but will damage the fabric of Indian homogeneity. It must end.
Minorities must look for saner elements as their leaders. But unfortunately, its leadership often suffers from the hallucinations of a Muslim empire in parts of India. It is a fallacy. I am surprised that not a single Muslim leader from India has risen and reprimanded the West Asia nations reminding them that the matter is purely internal and must be resolved only by the aggrieved parties.
The targetted killings of Hindus in Kashmir did not attract the attention of the Muslim nations; the repeated incursions by Pak terrorists did not raise an eyebrow in the West Asian countries; the forcible abduction and conversion of minor girls in Pakistan did not warrant any criticism. They spring, however, as if the worst has happened whenever it comes to India, which is saddening.
I am happy that our external affairs minister, Dr Jaishankar, has strongly responded to the OIC that action has been taken on the regretful utterances of the party’s two spokespersons who have been shown the door. It seems now easier than ever to embarrass India by vested elements with provocative and irresponsible statements about other religions. The government of India must be more vigilant than ever over this new threat of trouble mongers who could falsely galvanize an international opinion about India.
The onus lies on the minority leaders, who must shun extremism and confrontationist attitudes to cling to power. They must stop dreaming of a resurrection of an Islamic rule anytime in the future in India. The joy of peaceful co-existence is not a one-sided game, and both teams must play fairly and nobly.
Demanding our country’s PM, Modi, to apologize for Nupur Sharma and Navin Kumar Jindal’s utterances is silly. The EAM, Dr Jaishankar, represents the Government of India as much and is qualified to respond, which he has done forcefully and with elan. Let’s move on!
Jai Hind!
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
