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HVK Archives: Shun negativism - a letter; and a response

Shun negativism - a letter; and a response - The Times of India

Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan ()
4 December 1996

Title : Shun Negativism - I
Author : Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan
Publication : The Times of India
Date : December 4, 1996

During the recent tragic air disaster at Charkhi Dadri,
RSS volunteers played a remarkable role despite the fact
that the majority of the victims were Muslims. I myself
witnessed this and have said so clearly in my report
published in the Saudi daily Al-Riyad (November 16), of
which I am the Indian correspondent.

The RSS people at the civil hospital in Dadri were disci-
plined and dedicated and rendered all possible services
to the relatives of the victims as well as to the media
people. Besides the limited presence of Jamaat-e-Islami
Hind workers, there were no government or Muslim workers
to take care of the relatives of the victims or the
visitors. It will be an injustice not to acknowledge
this positive role of the RSS workers.

I have been an open critic of the RSS for its anti-Muslim
policies, many of which are simply based on misunder-
standings. It is a pity that such a dedicated group
should be guided by negative attitudes. Let the RSS shun
this attitude and recognise that the majority of Indian
Muslims and other minorities are true and sincere sons
and servants of the home land.

_______________________________________________________

Response:

From:
Ashok Chowgule December 5,
1996.
President, Mumbai Pranth.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad,
36, Piroja Mansion,
Mumbai 400 007.

Sir,

This has reference to the letter "Shun Negativism" ( Dec 4) by Dr
Zafarul-Islam Khan. He says, "During the recent tragic air disaster at
Charkhi Dadri, RSS volunteers played a remarkable role despite the fact that
the majority of the victims were Muslims." Dr Khan is unaware that this is
the standard practice of the RSS volunteers, wherever their help is needed.
They make no distinction of the creed of the person who needs assistance, and
this record has been well established in all major relief works like the
Andhra cyclone of the early 80s, the Morvi floods, the Latur earthquake, etc.
If he was aware of this record, then Dr Khan would not have found the role
'remarkable'. One does wonder that under the circumstance whether he would
have the said, "It is a pity that such a dedicated group should be guided by
negative attitudes." A group with 'negative attitudes' would obviously not
undertake such a 'remarkable' job.

Yours sincerely,

To:
The Editor,
The Times of India,
Times of India Bldg,
D N Road, Mumbai 400 001.

cc: Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan.

Comment, not included in the original.
The Times of India thought it fit not to print the original news of the help
rendered by the RSS, although some papers like The Pioneer did so. However,
The Times of India (Nov 30) did print an item about some National Lokatantrik
Party, which we feel got the space only because some Muslim organisations
helped in conducting the final rites. We are also convinced that your letter
was printed only because of your comment about negative attitude. Namaste.



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