Istaqlal, an Urdu fortnightly, organised a seminar on “Challenges to Justice in the Name of Development” at the Iran Society, Kolkata on 6 December. Prof. Ram Puniyani, an eminent historian and champion of Communal Amity, graced the seminar by delivering the keynote speech on the subject.
In his keynote speech, Prof. Ram Puniyani averred that by undertaking certain nefarious acts the anti-socials have been inflicting severe injuries not only upon Muslims but also upon Christians, Dalits, Adivasis and daily wage earners. They are also being attacked through words and deeds in different ways assuming the feature of varied dimension and magnitude. He made it clear that the fight is not only against the Muslims alone, but also against democracy itself. Democracy cannot be successful if minorities are not safe. He stressed the point that in the prevailing vicious atmosphere a painful clash between ‘democratic values’ and ‘anti-democratic’ ones has surfaced. And, all this is going on in the name of religion. He further said that every religion gives uppermost value and importance to morality. He then quoted two noted statements projecting the spirit of two major religions i.e. Christianity and Islam. Christ says, “Love thy neighbour”; and Islam says, “If one’s neighbour remains hungry, the door of the heaven would not open to allow one’s entry”.
Prof. Puniyani condemned the allegation levelled by anti-Muslim elements that Muslim rulers took away vast wealth of India with them. He clarified that the Muslim rulers themselves got fully absorbed with the mainstream native Indians and, as such, they became like the natives and settled down here for good. In fact, it were the British alone who took away much of the wealth from India and also made the natives their slaves. He further stated that the slavery system in India began with the arrival of the British.
Prof. Puniyani highlighted, in short, the Indian National Congress whose most outstanding pillars were Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Annie Besant, M.K. Gandhi and Bhagat Singh. In this connection he pointed out that all the Muslims were not with Jinnah and, similarly, all the Hindus were not with the Hindu Maha Sabha. He also said that terrorism is concerned with politics, and it has no connection with religion at all. Al-Qaida is a creation of the USA to achieve political gains. If it were concerned with religion, how was it that Muslims would have been killing their own brethren in Islam in the Middle East and at different places in Asia? He repudiated the remark “all terrorists are Muslims”. He then clarified his viewpoint saying that the assassin of Gandhiji was a Hindutva terrorist, Indira Gandhi was killed by her own Sikh bodyguard, Rajiv Gandhi was eliminated by a Tamil Hindu. All this proves that terrorism is carried by persons belonging to different communities.
Prof. Puniyani then stated that the Hindutva policy of RSS never gave value to equality in society, equality of caste and gender. They never talked about roti, kapda, makan, road, electricity and social improvement. But, of course, they talked rather loud about converting India into a Hindu rashtra. He further stated that the RSS allied organisations such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena, Ram Sena, etc. have been provided will full backing and support to accomplish their most cherished objective of establishing a Hindu rashtra. He expressed his view that the Muslim community is desperately in need of equality, dignity and security at par with the majority community. He sadly said that these are being denied to the members belonging to the Muslim community. Until and unless the status of Muslims is not brought at par with the members belonging to the Majority community, social and economic developments of the country will remain a mere cry in the wilderness.
Concluding his speech, Prof. Puniyani urged all the democratic and secular forces to come together to fight the anti-national elements vigorously. For this purpose, every possible and justified effort ought to be made to form committees on social, community and political levels, so that the voice of unity reflecting democratic values could reach every house spreading over the length and breadth of the country.
Earlier, Dr. Fuad Halim, life member of the Iran Society, inaugurated the seminar, highlighting the objective behind holding it. In a nutshell, he also spoke a few words on Prof. R. Puniyani’s social activities, especially in the field of writing contemporary history encompassing the present day leaders connected with political as well as apolitical parties and organisations.
Prof. Sulaiman Khursheed, a retired Professor of History, placed before the learned audience and distinguished guests some facts and truths surrounding the Babri Masjid and its demolition. He, in a firm voice, exposed the nefarious acts of certain anti-national and anti-social elements, who had furtively planted an ‘idol of lord Rama’ inside the mosque and announced it to be the birthplace of Rama. He then underlined the moral values enshrined in the principles and guidelines of Islam that forbid its followers from building a mosque by destroying a house of worship belonging to followers of a religion other than Islam. He pointed out that Muslims did never get themselves engaged in such a heinous act. He further stated that Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992 not for any material but for political gains as also to appease the majority community members for winning elections.
During the course of his speech, Prof. Khursheed cited an interesting incident related to the visit of a distinguished columnist, Kuldip Nayar to the Muslim Institute, Kolkata. And, during a discussion on the demolition of Babri Masjid, Nayar had said that a majority of the members of the Hindu community were also sentimentally hurt by this ugly act of demolishing the mosque. Nayar was further quoted to have said that Muslims should also respect the sentiments of the Hindus. Prof. Khursheed at this point retorted saying whether Muslims should hand over all the mosques to the anti-national elements. Nayar then clarified the matter, saying that he did not mean this while making the above remark.
Prof. Khursheed further stated that our Prime Minister made certain promises about social development and told the citizens that he would move forward holding hands of all. “Sab ka Sath, Sab ka Vikas” was the slogan raised then by him. But, once he came to power, he trampled upon the promises he had made. Prof. Khursheed sadly said that the majority of secular forces maintained complete reticence when the Babri Masjid was demolished. And, this mental setup has not significantly changed with most of them even now.
Ahmad Sayeed Malehabadi, a noted journalist and former M.P., asked the learned audience not to lose heart and become victim of despondency. The rays of hope must be kept kindled. In a firm voice, he said that the share and contributions of the Muslim community to all round development of the country have had always been quite significant. It cannot be underestimated or ignored. He further pointed out that members of the community have been giving utmost value and importance to education and have been striving hard in every branch of learning. He then pointed out that this very thing is disliked by those who do not want the Muslims to prosper and come at par with the members of the majority community. To discourage the Muslim community unsocial and unjustified barriers are being erected in the way, so that the members of this community could not be able to improve their economic life.
Malehabadi further said that he had made a demand from the government at the centre for the formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to access and examine the ground reality reflecting the status of the Muslim community. But, this demand never saw the light of the day. He revealed that ‘hate politics’ has got strength at the centre. He also made it clear that though over 65 per cent of the members belonging to the majority community are against BJP, but they are not united in raising their firm voice against the wrong doings of the government formed by the BJP at the centre.
His talk also focused the injustices meted out to the noted Islamic scholar, Dr. Zakir Naik. He condemned the action of the government in this regard and declared that the cruelty begets destruction and that it never lasts long. Those who are cruel are certain to meet their own doom, sooner or later.
Malehabadi mentioned a very touchy and impressive incidence that got surfaced in Faizabad district immediately after an idol was secretly placed inside the Babri Masjid. One from among the Hindu community, Akshay Brahamchari, could not endure this ugly work undertaken by some Hindutva miscreants. His conscience got inflamed to see this. He observed fasting and demanded the authority concerned for the removal of the idol. It is but an irony of humanity that Akshay had to pay a heavy price for this act of boldness coupled with human feelings and burning conscience. His house was looted and burnt to ashes. But, this instance was enough to portray the truth and to put on record the fact that the Muslim community got favour from the just Hindu brethren.
Malehabadi also shed light on demonetisation and its adverse effects on the large segments of mases. He emphatically pointed out that Modi’s development plan vaporised in the air. He at last expressed his view in a firm voice that till the Parliamentary system is in vogue and till the electorate are equipped with the weapon of vote, the ugly design of the anti-national, anti-secular and undemocratic-minded rogue elements in both political and apolitical parties and organisations, cannot succeed in accomplishing their ulterior motive. Their mission to establish ‘Hindu rashtra’ will certainly get dashed to the ground.
Salman Akhtar, Editor of the fortnightly Istaqlal, read to the distinguished guests and learned audience an excerpt taken from a speech Sir Syed Ahmad Khan had delivered at Patna on 27 January, 1883. He also asked the audience to participate enthusiastically in seminars, meetings and committees with the objective of highlighting the issues concerning the Muslim community and all other deprived and downtrodden sections of society. Salman then thanked the guests and audience heartily for participating in the seminar and making it a success.