Author: U. Mahesh Prabhu
Publication: indiamahesh.wordpress.com
Date: November 8, 2008
URL: http://indiamahesh.wordpress.com/2008/11/08/being-anti-muslim/
'I wonder why you write such a column replete
with hate and vengeance' alleged a protagonist, who calls himself as a 'secularist',
on reading my previous columns. But when I asked him to aid me in finding
those words of 'hate and vengeance' he wasted no time to enjoin 'I don't have
time for that'! When an allegation is levelled, one cannot but seek elucidation.
Not even once have those allegers took some time to warrant those allegations.
Because, for past few months, I have been
inditing columns critical of Islam with purports from Holy Koranand Hadith,
I am being branded as 'anti-Muslim'. 'You [hate] Islam' many have already
declared. But hate is such a strong word. It's opposite to love and thus,
when you hate you just end up perverting. I have time and again advocated
that 'Seed of hatred begets nothing but destruction.' I have never abused
Islam nor have I, e'er, used derogatory words against Muslims. How can I speak
fetid against anyone when I disown 'hate' in the first place? I am not a phoney.
Though I may have written critical analysis
on Islam, I have seldom 'branded' an entire Muslim community as terrorist.
I have never called for seizing of their right to practice their faith, their
right to exist. The people who allege me of saying so have never read my columns.
Criticism isn't a bad, neither is critic worth
considering a pariah. He is not an inevitable foe. He is a person who is trying
to give in his stimuli and notions on certain issues. Distinguished journalists
and intellectuals in this country have spoken so critically of Hindus and
Hinduism at large, but they aren't tagged as 'anti-Hindu'. And I, very strongly,
believe that just because someone has criticized Hindus or Hinduism, he cannot
be labelled as anti-Hindu. It's injudicious.
If you take a look at Hinduism you will find
that it has been ever evolving. It has never lazed. It's true that: Dalits
were suppressed here, widows (in some parts of this country) were being burnt
alive, child marriage was rampant and lower caste people were never allowed
inside the temple.
But today how many of such evil practices
do you find in Hinduism now? Isn't it virtually extinct? It is. But how was
this made possible? When so many people began criticising Hinduism umpteen,
within the faith, began questioning and thereby sought revision. Renaissance
was made possible primarily due to criticism, and Hindus became forward thinking
people because of it.
The critics didn't write with the intention
of uplifting Hindu but with an objective of endorsing religious conversion
and also, at times, with the view of defaming it. But Hindu leaders were relatively
prompt to react and thus something good happened. 'Don't debunk criticism
and critics blindly.' an old maxim of Hindus, came for them handily. There
was of course resistance for change but it was weakened by resolve of the
men who sought reform. But when similar situation was put forth Muslims they
began playing their 'anti-Muslim' label. Anyone criticizing them is today
an 'anti-Muslim'.
If, by bringing to light unpleasant reality
from Islam's Holy Scripture, I wish to do anything, it would be to ask Muslims
to rethink on it. I want them to rethink on parts of their faith for their
own betterment.
Another allegation thrown against me by my
Muslim brethren is that 'I am built in the mould of Sangh Parivar.' I am not
sure what they mean when they say 'built in the mould'. Yes, I have been associated
with Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). I have read their books, for sometime
I have complied, or better put, tried to follow, their discipline. I have
many friends within the organization of whom I am proud of. But, if my friendship
is to be a deciding factor then I also have friends within Jamat-e-Islami,
Students Islamic Organization and even from Churches of Southern India. Until
two days back from penning this column I did also have a Communist friend
who, somehow, himself disowned me by branding me as a 'fascist'. Interestingly
he is yet to prove as to why I should be branded so.
My background is diverse. I have read Bible
before reading Bhagavad-Gita. I am a product of a Christian Missionary school
established by the German Bassel Mission. I have attended classes on Koran
by a competent Maulvi. My favourite teacher was a Communist, and thus I can
fairly explain communism - first-rate. My close friends during school and
college days have been Muslims, who preferred to offer Namaz five times a
day. I have been to Mosque and can even imitate actions of Namaz. My most
favourite writer is M J Akbar and though I disagree with him on numerous aspects
I am equally proud of him and also of my friends who come from so many diverse
faiths. Many of my friends, even today, are the ones who prefer to disagree
with me. Given this, I would like to know from my critics as to how could
I possibly be an 'anti-Muslim' or go against fundamental rights of any religion
for that matter?
The greatest diplomat and statesman from India,
after whom I have named this column, says in his brilliant work, Arthashastra,
that "It's better to have an intelligent & criticizing enemy than
a foolish and all-agreeing friend." It's important that our Muslim brethren
stand up and respond to such criticism proactively and think candidly of a
socio-economic renascence within the community.
Fanaticism is dangerous because it blocks
logical thinking and wisdom. It isn't healthy and can be a primary cause for
one to perish. And history is a testimony to this fact.
- Author is co-founder and Editor-In-Chief
of upcoming illustrated family magazine FOLKS (http://www.folksone.com) and
also a Fellow of Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain andIreland, London
(UK).
