Mr. Waseem Rizvi, former chairman of Shia Waqf Board, who loves to be always in controversies, has petitioned the Supreme Court of India to order that 26 verses of the Holy Book, which, as alleged by him, are promoting violence, enmity and terrorism among communities, should be deleted from the Holy Book. He also alleges that in his opinion, these 26 verses were inserted in the Book by the First, Second and Third Rightly Guided Caliphs.
Unfortunately, this gentleman, if it is fit to call him like this, who is under the scanner of CBI, has chosen to sell his soul to Devil at a very cheap price. He wants to be closer to the hearts of a host of known people who get their bread and butter only through selling hate and enmity. One fails to understand if it is a wise policy to sell one’s soul to devil to save his skin.
It is well to remember that a petition on similar lines was filed in Calcutta High Court way back in 1985. In 1987 the Court dismissed it, observing: “The Koran has been accepted as a holy book through ages. It is read, followed, published and distributed in all civilized countries of the world. There has been no interference with Koran either in India or any other country up till now. It is too late in the day for the writ petition to contend that publication and propagation of Koran would cause disharmony between communities and religions and the tenets of Koran constitute an insult to other religions and communities.”
It was further observed that “Isolated passages picked out from here and there and read out of context cannot change the position.”
We are confident that the present petition would be thrown out at the stage of admission itself. In the communally charged atmosphere, many prejudiced minds would use this opportunity to raise doubts against the Holy Qur’ān and defame Islam. Our response should be non-sentimental and very sane and sober.
Come! Let us utilise this opportunity to present the divine, life-giving and humane message of the Qur’ān before our fellow countrymen. Let them know how God speaks to them through the Qur’ān and convinces them about His greatness, His Will, His Plan for humanity to uplift them. In addition, it lays down a blueprint for social and moral upliftment of mankind.