IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, April 3: Amidst saffron attempts for communal polarisation over certain slogans vis a vis Muslims in the country, eminent intellectuals have trashed all such moves saying the patriotism of Indian Muslims is unquestionable.
“What could be a bigger sin than to ask Muslims — who decided to remain in India when they had option to move to Pakistan — whether they are patriot or not,” said former union minister and Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar while speaking at a conference on “Indian Muslims in Democratic India” here on Sunday.
The event was organized by Barrister Mohammad Yunus Memorial Committee. Barrister Mohammad Yunus was first chief minister of Bihar in 1937.
While talking about the conditions of Mulims, Aiyar said: “It is pity that even after seventy years of independence, we are talking about the status of Muslims in the country. Sachar report disclosed that Muslims could not get space as per their population in the national life and we see it in politics also.”
“In the last 25 years of my parliamentary career – both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha – while there should be 13 to 14 percent Muslims in the House, the actual status is that they are not more than 2-3 percent,” said former diplomat Aiyar.
Eminent rights activist and lawyer of Supreme Court Prashant Bhushan came down heavily on the Sangh Parivar and its affiliates for targeting Muslims.
“They have launched a big strike now. They want to make it a Hindu rashtra because they are in power. While Muslims are already behind in various sectors including education, civil services and police they are now facing attack from vigilante groups of Sangh Parivar – we saw it in Dadri,” said Bhushan.
On the loyalty of Muslims he said: “When Muslims decided to remain in India their loyalty was proved then itself. Nationalism does not mean chanting of Bharat Mata Ki Jai. The real meaning of nationalism is that we care for India and its people.”
The event was opened with inaugural speech by Adv. Mohammad Kashif Yunus, the grandson of Barrister Mohammad Yunus.
Speaking as first guest speaker, eminent Christian leader and civil rights activist Dr John Dayal said: “We have to protect Barrister Mohammad Yunus from being airbrushed and photo-shopped if we have to revive all — who played a role in the history of India — in today’s Ganga-Jamuni culture. We need to remember him, his team and his age. It is very important to remember who fought for the freedom of India.”
Dr Dayal said Panchayati Raj is the place where the seed of empowerment of all minorities and weaker sections can be sown.
“In the panchayati raj, there is seed for empowerment of Muslims, Christians, women. If there was not 30% quota for women in panchayats, there would be only rich people there. Today in the whole landscape, there is leadership of all communities – Christians and Muslims particularly in south India,” he said.
He stressed on all minorities and weaker sections to think about each other not just about themselves alone.
“All communities should think about each other. It is shame if Muslims think about themselves and not others. Because in Muslims’ development, there is development of others,” he said.
