Sikandar Noorani
IDEOLOGICAL fixation of mother organization RSS, to prove Hindu supremacy through violent coercion of the Muslims, is now oozing out from every gesture of her political offspring; the BJP. Landslide electoral victory for second consecutive term was achieved by ‘Modi Sarkar’ on the drumbeat of anti-Pakistan rhetoric. An unwise but well thought out air strike on Balakot after Pulwama attack, despite being a total failure, paid the rich political dividends to BJP in elections. Smart media campaigning successfully served the purpose of befooling the Indian masses by persistently portraying the failures as victory! Shameful downing of two IAF jets, coupled with capture of Abhinandan, was projected as little cost of a greater divine crusade being fought against evil minded Pakistan. Chest thumping by Modi and synchronized hate mongering by RSS and BJP stalwarts enabled the fascist cult to regain the control of power corridors in New Delhi. This beginning of second term of BJP can be rightly termed as the formal beginning of the end of so-called secular India. Anti-Muslim march of extremist cult began from occupied territory where the axe fell on the special status of Kashmir, which was unconstitutionally converted into three divided union territories; Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
On external front, this act effectively provoked Pakistan and China, whereas on internal front, 8 million residents of Kashmir have been imprisoned in frozen jail in sheer absence of fundamental human rights since first week of August. Massive violations of human rights in Kashmir are no more unnoticed and unheard as the issue is echoing on international media and multiple diplomatic forums including UN and European Union. Having no feeler of shame, BJP top leaders were found cashing the public miseries of Kashmir as a political master stroke. Conduct of RSS and BJP has sufficiently proved that arrogance, prejudice and violence take birth in the womb of extremism. Anti-Muslim rhetoric re-ignited by BJP in early nineties over the dispute of Babri Mosque met its eventual end with one of the most unreasonable verdict of Indian judiciary. The Muslims of India were once again provoked with Babri Mosque verdict in a short span of time. Message was clear that State of India, in any capacity, is not comfortable to have the Muslims as a significant entity. Such messages and gestures, delivered by RSS and BJP quarters, are being viewed by the Muslims of India in close linkage with abhorrent violent incidents of mob lynching in the hands of Hindu vigilante. Though, Natho Ram Godse assassinated Gandhi ji some 71 years ago, but so-called ideology of non-violence and secularism is now breathing its last after being slaughtered by RSS ideologues sitting on the helm of affairs in New Delhi.
Final blow to wounded secularism was delivered in Assam with the daggers of NRC and CAB. In the garb of controlling illegal immigrants, BJP has singled out the Muslims. Message is absolutely loud and clear to the Muslims that immigrants with any religious identity are welcome in India except Islam. Outbreak of massive protests, against this prejudiced legislation, significantly indicate a collective awakening among the Indian Muslims who undeniably stand persecuted and marginalized today. Rapid evaporation of secularism from Indian society has a long historical context. It is obvious that today the Muslims in India are in the crosshairs of those extremist Hindu nationalists who have been dangerously programmed or brainwashed to reclaim the lost glories through violence, persecution and coercion. Creation of Pakistan was the logical remedy to save the Muslims from hostile and prejudiced Hindu majority. Though, Pakistan provided geographical protection to a great number of the Muslims of sub-continent, however, those who could not migrate are facing a great challenge in Modi’s India today.
Pakistan, in present State, is not in a better position to plead the case of Indian-persecuted Muslims. Economic deterioration and political polarization coupled with highly ill organized governance are the major disabilities hindering Pakistan from taking a firm stance against the rising ghost of ‘Hindutva’. Despite being persecuted and cornered, the Muslims of India are still divided and unrepresented as a single separate entity. Kashmir, being the only state having Muslim majority, was struck first by BJP through revocation of Article-370. After Kashmir, it is Assam where the Muslim numbers can create a disturbing impact on many accounts. Therefore, axe of NRC and CAB was used brutally by the Modi Sarkar to behead the nationality of Assami Muslims. It is neither an easy situation for the polarized Indian Muslims nor a comfortable scenario for Pakistan. Persistent aggression against the Muslims by Indian state and lack of political engagement would give birth to violent tendencies. Region cannot afford the outcome of Indian blunders! Political awakening and non-violent struggle from a singular platform against RSS-led persecution is the only viable option for the Muslims facing persecution in India. Obviously, with the Kashmiris in lead, Ghost of Hindutva can only be dealt by forming a greater unification among the Muslims and genuine secular quarters of India.
—The writer is a retired army officer and a freelance columnist.
