Hindu friends, stop the bias, now

Following our article on a section of hard-line Muslims and the silence of the better ones, earlier in 2022 (read Muslim friends, speak up, now – MDDTimes), we take a look at the majority Hindu side. Aren’t they the same? Are they going down a dangerous path of bigotry and racism? And do they need to learn more from others instead of cringing on social media?

In this article, we mention some responses from Muslim friends to general questions that Hindus usually ask and never get the answers. Q&A format just to move away from a monologue. Only the hardest of responses below.

1. How can you say that Islam is the greatest religion in the world and Allah the mightiest and the only God?

I am no expert but why can’t we? There are so many religions that claim this. And why don’t you? You can also claim. Who is stopping you?

Try to understand. There are so many prophets and we follow Muhammed because we find his teachings to be true and deserving to be followed. This has served us and our society well, otherwise Islam would not have grown for so many centuries.

2. Who is stopping! You! Monotheism is dangerous for others. And the growth that you mention is the result of barbarism. Isn’t it?

Sorry, there are several monotheist religions. You can’t claim Hinduism is the greatest and your God is the only God because your religion is structured like that. Now, you decide whether you will take pride in it, as in the past, or compete with monotheist religions. Don’t expect us to turn to polytheism just because you can’t turn to monotheism.

About growth of Islam. It took birth amid great turmoil in the Middle-east. So, some tenets are related to war and to lessen treachery. Several other religions are based on that too. In Christianity, preaching and using money to convert is common. Islam doesn’t indulge in that.

But name one war in modern times when a war was waged with the sole purpose of converting people to Islam. In fact, even in the medieval ages, wars were not waged to convert. Rather, people were converted after they lost the wars. This was to lessen treachery, mainly. Other kings and religions also did this. And modern educated Muslims don’t really care about conversions, though they respect Islam and get hurt when someone disrespects it, and rightly so.

You will mention marriages. Of course, be it the bride or the groom, we prefer them to convert because of our closely-knit society and for better assimilation.

3. Wasn’t Somnath destroyed as a war against a religion? Weren’t scores of temples razed to build masjids?

Wrong. It was to plunder and temples were the main repository of wealth – of all kinds. So, it was natural for the winner to plunder. There are examples of great kings like Alexander and some Hindu kings in their treatment of the kings that lost the war. However, most kings weren’t like that and the circumstances of their people were also different. And present-day Muslims cannot and should not be blamed for the past.

4. What about claims that Mecca was a Hindu temple?

There is no mention of that in our scriptures. And we don’t really care what happened before Muhammed.

5. India first?

Of course, we are proud to be Indians, and contribution of so many Muslims in making India proud speak for that. Why mix religion and nationalism? They are distinct. You remain a Hindu in whichever country you are. So, do we. Don’t mix please.

6. Population control?

While the educated Muslims see the benefits of a small family, some people don’t. Some in fact want large families given the minority population overall. You may blame it on fanatism, but isn’t it a natural thing to do so for the insecure?

7. Namaz?

We prefer to be orthodox and pay importance to worship. Unlike you, we don’t believe modernity means abandoning the good in religion. So is hijab and other rules for men and women. But there are plenty of Muslims who don’t follow and live freely, especially in India.

8. Love jihad

Utter nonsense. People resort to various ways to win love. Some use Hindu names, which is wrong. But please don’t generalise it. Hindus falling in love with Muslims is not new. It is not really different from inter-caste love and marriage.

9. Thuuk jihad

Again, please don’t generalise. Such cases must be investigated.

10. Love for Pakistan

Why would anyone like a country like Pakistan? We share some culture, food and thinking, and it is not limited to Muslims, but to certain regions of India generally. By the way what is so wrong in being a fan of cricketers of Pakistan? Don’t they idolise our actors and singers, and players? Don’t we like Federer, Bravo or Messi?

11. Ghettos?

This is actually an unfortunate thing, just like banning Muslim shops etc, and governments are to be blamed. Hopefully, it will change in India in future.

12. Four wives, 10 children, halala, etc.

Not to generalise, but these are personal matters and need not be evaluated by non-Muslims.

13. Maddarssas?

What is wrong in imparting religious studies? Don’t generalise a few rotten apples.

14. Five-minutes threat

Owaisi kind of people are more dangerous to Islam in India than anyone else. It was not long ago when Muslims were preferred employees in almost every field for their loyalty and courage. Politicians have played a dangerous game. People from all religions must not fall into their trap.

15. Vandalism

See, these rogue elements have brought great shame to us. Especially because we don’t see much of vandalism from other religions. But do we have to apologise as a community on behalf of these criminals?

16. Blasphemy and Udaipur killings

Same as above. India will never be Taliban or ISIS, and criminals must understand this. Law must act swiftly in such cases and lay down preventive measures. Social media often causes misunderstandings and is a bad weapon in the hands of most.

Why no public demonstrations against this? I don’t really have an answer to this. Indian society is mostly like that – the good remain silent – their focus is on survival and anonymity.

17. Ram Mandir

There is a general feeling that what happened in 1992 was wrong. The Court could have decided then. It is the demolition that hurts. And there is a fear that other masjids may be demolished. It is mainly the problem of collective ego here, and a sense of bullying. While we do want our Hindu friends to build temples, we do not want our masjids to be demolished. Can we reverse history?

If it is the case of a few temples, both sides should ideally sit and talk and find solutions. Religious leaders should work to create unity not animosity. They can unite us all as a big team, and bring back the peaceful friendly days. Media has a major role to play as well.

If love is blind, bias is blinder. Dear Hindu friends, shouldn’t you open your eyes and look inside first?

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