Behind the systematic popularisation of hate are the Saffron forces. They have invested enormous labour, time and money in their Jihad against Muslims, opines DR. S. AUSAF SAIED VASFI
According to the high-powered Rajinder Sachar Committee report, released in 2006, the social and economic condition of the principal minority, which happens to be the second largest majority, of plural Bharat is worse than that of the Dalits.
But the Dalits, who, because of their birth live on the margins of society, are fortunate enough to build their mansions and live with rather amongst our brethren belonging to the majority community. But Muslims, by and large, are not that lucky.
We will, in the following lines, try to respond to the “why” of the phenomenon on which is an enigma inside a riddle. In a recent issue, a premier English language daily, The Hindu has also focused attention on the issue through four well-researched stories, collected from metropolitan cities.
LOUD THINKING
Before proceeding further, allow us to do some loud thinking on the question.
It is not that apartheid is being practised against Muslims at the housing level alone. It is being pursued against the larger areas where the Muslims have been living since independence.
Take the case of Old Delhi, or which they contemptuously call Delhi-6, or other areas where Muslims have been living since long, like Bara Hindu Rao or Turkman Gate or Matia Mahal. Are they not being deliberately ignored? Is the supply of electricity or water regular there? Is the level of cleanliness there is like that of the developed areas of New Delhi, as we see in the case of Friends Colony, Defence Colony or several enclaves?
Similar approach is visible in Old Bhopal and New Bhopal, Old Hyderabad and New Hyderabad, Old Rampur and New Rampur.
Since long, the complexion of the governments at the Centre and in the States has been changing. But no government cares to improve the living conditions in Muslim concentration areas. The position is come to such a sorry pass that even the Muslim leaders who represent the Muslim areas have proved unable to improve the situation in their constituencies. They do not succeed in altering the living conditions in the odorous or just dirty areas.
SAFFRON-SECULAR UNDERSTANDING
It looks as if there is a silent understanding between the Saffron and the Secular that no matter who is at the helm, the living conditions in Muslim areas shall never be improved.
In an 800-word story, Rahi Gaekwad says that in Mumbai a “no rent, no sale” policy is practised as far as Muslims are concerned. To quote Gaekwad: “Mumbai, which prides itself on its cosmopolitan character is divided on religion, food habits and language. A few locations of south Mumbai like Walkeshwar, Malabar Hill, Peddar Road, Breach Candy, Western Suburbs like Ville Parle, Bandra, Borivali, Kandivli and eastern suburbs like Ghatkopar, Sion and Mulund are out of bounds for Muslims….Gujarati and Marathi home owners are known to exclude Muslims on the basis of food habits.
In another 280-word story, Sowmiya Ashok, and Mohammad Ali, quote a property dealer – hold your breath – property dealers want only Indians not Muslims.
STUNNING INTRO
Rana Siddiqui Zaman begins her 470-word story with a stunning intro: I shudder even now when I think of the incident of my husband, a media relations executive, being called a terrorist.
After massive house hunting she finds a Hindu pressperson who hands over the keys of his house to her in Dwarka.
The articles put before the nation by the The Hindu, once again open our eyes. Hostility towards Muslims appears to be the high point of our upward multi-religious, multi-cultural and multi-lingual polity.
The point is: who is essentially responsible for this unalloyed hate against the sons of the soil, the Muslims, who have been living here since centuries.
Behind the systematic popularisation of hate are the Saffron forces. They have patiently shed perspiration for the current situation. This day has not come in a day. They have invested enormous labour, time and money in their Jihad against Muslims. Recall the late Nanaji Deshmukh’s laborious tours of the entire country, particularly the north-east, for the purpose.
The Under-Achievers help the Saffron achievers through their planned silence coupled with inaction.
They just shut their eyes to the too-obvious hate dissemination. This strange bedfellow-ship provides ample opportunities of turning the chasm into gulf between Hindus and Muslims. Even the film mock resistance is not shown to the believers in digital divide.
LIMITATION OF LAWS
Can this situation be altered through laws? Laws can only force the unwilling to show accommodation. By nature, laws are incapable of changing hearts.
There are countries which have laws that punish those who practise discrimination on the basis of race, religion, colour or just prejudice.
There was a time when the racist landlords would hang up on foreign accents. The situation has changed in England now. The financial institutions have been compelled to provide Muslims and blacks with normal assistance. Britain’s first anti-discrimination laws were enacted in 1965. The Act was amended in 1968 following a spirited public campaign by Asian and Afro-Caribbean immigrants. The new race relations Act made it illegal to refuse housing, employment or public services to people because of their ethnic background. So informs Hasan Suroor from London to The Hindu. A significant point he highlights is, that anti-discrimination regime in England allows ordinary citizens to seek quick redress without having to resort to expensive litigation.
Does England not provide an admirable instance to emulate in India?
Singapore is another example worth consideration. The country has introduced a system of mandatory quotas in public housing to better integrate its once polarised ethnic-Malay, Chinese and Indian communities.
LIFE OF SLUMDOGS
These are just a few examples which of course cannot stir the unwilling into action. In the meantime, the apartheid would continue flourishing rather thriving and so would continue the cooperation between the Achievers and the Under-Achievers. And so would continue the lives of the proverbial slumdogs!