Unfortunately, certain forces in India have been bent upon further ghettoization of society and pursuing their divide and rule policies. What were being dismissed as the activities of fringe elements is now getting mainstreamed. There are a series of events which are being witnessed day in and day out. We would confine to just one event which is in the news from the capital’s neighbourhood.
Dasna is just 30 kms from Delhi. Muslims and Hindus have been living here like brothers for centuries. Their houses and shops exist next to each other. A few days back a 14 years old, illiterate boy, who makes his living by rag-picking and who hardly makes Rs 100-150 a day, drank water from a tap inside the temple premises. He was mercilessly thrashed and badly injured. The police arrested the two accused and benevolently released them soon. The attackers were so bold that they put the video of thrashing on social media which went viral in no time. The mahant of the temple, who has been stoking hate and violence, says many nasty things and shouts that “Shringi Yadav did nothing wrong. He did what I ordered. This is my dharma (duty). I will do anything to protect my mothers, daughters and religion.” He falsely alleges that the terrorist (the boy) was urinating near an idol and desecrating the temple premises… and adds that “response to violence would be greater violence”. The fact is that there was no problem of any disrespect to daughters and mothers nor was there any urination. In this way the priest is out to promote ill well, hate and violence.
The Wire, documenting the priest’s provocative statements, has thoroughly proved his role in the February 2020 N-East Delhi riots. Now he has hung a bigger board that “no Muslim should enter the premises”. One prominent Delhi daily has reported these events under the caption, “Muslims helped rebuild the Dasna temple that now bars them”. It adds that the village where the thirsty boy was thrashed had both communities living together peacefully. Now there is fear and mistrust.
It is the weakness of human nature that good things don’t spread as bad things do. Another news in the same paper reports that “Non-Hindus not allowed”: Banners have been displayed in 150 Doon temples under the influence of the priest.
The Muslims must counter this fire of hate with love and brotherhood. They should start a state-wide campaign by opening the doors of masjids to Hindu brothers. They should clarify that God is the God of whole mankind. All human beings are brothers and sisters. Let them prove it by word and deed that religion should build bridges and not raise walls and India’s salvation lies in love, cooperation and brotherhood. If they adopt this path, the whole Hindu population will stand along with them. They should listen to how Allah exhorts in the Holy Qur’ān: Good and evil are not equal. Repel (evil) with that which is good, and you will see that he, between whom and you there was enmity, shall become as if he were a bosom friend of yours.” (41:34)