Waquar Hasan, IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, April 21: Eminent Christian leader and human rights activist Dr John Dayal has urged the government to take the radicalization of majority community very seriously because it is going to harm the whole country, not just one particular community.
Radicalization of Majority
“The issue of radicalization should be deeply understood. Radicalization particularly that of a majority community is very dangerous. It is more dangerous than radicalization of Muslims, Christians, Naxalites or Sikhs,” said Dr John Dayal, secretary general of All India Christian Council while speaking at 5th Foundation Day of Welfare Party of India in New Delhi on 18th April.
The Christian leader urged the government to take the issue seriously.
“Once radicalization gets blood lust, it looks for target. If they don’t find Muslims, then they attack Christians. If not Christians then tribals or Dalits.”
“We want to caution the government to understand the long-term dangers of Sangh Parivar’s radicalization program. We have seen the results of TV serials of Ramayana and Mahabharata. We urge you to understand the dangers of pushing the people into one direction through evangelization. You will also be harmed; we will certainly be harmed,” said Dr Dayal, Member of National Integration Council.
“If members of Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad got totally radicalized (they are still talking about distribution of weapons), then what will happen? Radicalization will take place in the entire country through their newspapers and TV channels…There was no radicalisation (of majority) in the South Indian states like Kerala and Karnataka because those areas were unaffected by the fallouts of the partition. But in the last ten years, radicalisation has been witnessed there too,” he said.
Islamophobia in India
Dr Dayal also talked about Islamophobia in India and its dangers and said Congress is also responsible for creating such situation.
“Islamophobia is a reality in India today. All are involved in creating this situation. Congress is also involved. I being a Member of the National Integration Council (which is chaired by prime minister) have witnessed how the government (of Congress) was becoming communal about things,” said Dr Dayal.
“The main purpose of Islamophobia is to radicalize Hindu youths, Hindu panchayats and Hindu teachers. When these groups get radicalized they look for targets. The target of Islamophobia will not be Muslims only. But most of the media, press and politicians in India are unable to understand its gravity,” he said.
Other eminent speakers of the event included Navaid Hamid, President, All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat and Dr Syed Zafar Mahmood, President, Zakat Foundation of India while Dr SQR Ilyas, National President, Welfare Party of India delivered presidential speech.
