Muskan became a symbol of resistance
A shocking example of how extremist Hindus in India have made life difficult for Muslims came to light the other day in the state of Karnataka, where Muslim female students have been banned from wearing hijab in educational institutions.
After the ban, when a student named Muskan Khan came wearing a hijab, a mob of Hindu thugs surrounded her on the college premises and proceeded to jeer at her while chanting slogans of Jai Shri Ram (Hail Lord Ram) instead of being afraid of them, this courageous student shouted Takbir and kept moving towards the class shouting Allah-O-Akbar (God is Great).
This is not the first incident of its kind.For some time now, extremist Hindus have been harassing Muslim students in several states, including Karnataka, while Indian leaders have been backing Hindu extremists instead of cracking down on them.
It is clear that Muslims have always been discriminated against in India, but since the advent of Modi government, the Hindutva mainstream has become more widespread than ever before.
Hindutva thugs are brutally massacring Muslims with the support of the state but no one is ready to stop them.
In India, where it has been made difficult for Muslims to live and survive, government policies and decisions are being made in such a way that no one but Hindus can live in India.
This is one of the most difficult times for Indian Muslims, but in this difficult time, the face of secular India is being exposed to the world.
Apart from this, hatred against other minorities is also being incited at the state level.Will it be easier for Muslims to live according to their religion and culture on the Indian soil?
Whether or not the life of Indian Muslims will change after this incident, but voices are definitely being raised against it all over the world.
The oppression and violence being perpetrated against Muslims in India and the barbarity that the people of IIOJK are facing.
To stop this, the world will have to end its indifference and for that the Muslim countries will have to raise their voice together.
If the rulers of the Muslim countries are not ashamed and their dormant consciences are not awakened in spite of Muskan’s courageous attitude against extremism, then one after another such incidents will happen.
Warnings are already being given that India is rapidly moving towards a situation where there is a danger of escalating tension in India.
It is somewhat encouraging that voices are being raised from different parts of the country against the extremist incidents in India, but due to the patronage of the government, no government body has taken any action against the Hindu extremist groups.
In a situation where India’s minorities are looking to the international community and international bodies to take notice and action may be taken to stop the cycle of extremist atrocities.
But the international community does not seem willing to take any such action against India.
How long will the world remain silent on the atrocities perpetrated on Indian Muslims and Kashmiris?
The events of Indian extremism seem insignificant to the world at the moment, but on the day when these incidents will cause major problems, the whole international community will be making noise.
The United Nations and other major international bodies should take immediate notice of this incident and call on the Indian government to protect the rights of minorities and not to give in to extremist groups that deprive others of their right to live.
—The writer is a regular columnist, based in Lahore.
