This is a conversation I had with my friends and aquaintances over WhatsApp when the hurt I felt about the lynching of Muslims, broke my and their silence. I thought we have heard many debates from the apologists and the dissenters. Should you not hear it from the horse’s mouth? Should not the bigger issue of equality and fraternity be looked at through ‘Muslim’ eyes?
‘Ordinary Indian citizens in several cities came out against the mob lynching of Muslims and Dalits in a spontaneous movement #NotInMyName. Very heartening.
I just feel like thanking everyone who has come to assure the marginalized that we still believe in human and constitutional values.
The silence of some of my friends over the lynching of Muslims, is very telling. It says, ‘We are your friends only if you never expect us to respect your right to life and dignity. Because you have no such right. We are your friends until you claim to be an equal citizen. We cannot give you that status even if the constitution does. It says friendship is a favour we did to you despite your being a Muslim. I have been an atheist all my life, but that did not stop discrimination against me as a Muslim. It shows how deep the roots of bigotry are. But I cannot see murder as an act to be condoned. Just like the rape of a ‘Hindu’ girl, hurt me so much that I could not sleep for months, the killing of anyone for their faith, hurts me. It is only human to empathise. And being human is a priviledge that comes with a responsibility to remain human. Love is far more enriching than hatred. Shall we let politicians decide who we can love? And is it ok to kill whoever we disagree with?
The love and support and wonderful empathy and sensitivity shown by MOST of my ‘Hindu’ friends is also telling. It says, ‘We love you for the person you are. We love you because we are just happy to be together. We care for you because we are humans and we stand by you because what are friends for? And we will stand up against all violence and injustice because it affects us all. And we will hold hands so that our children don’t grow up in hate and fear. Let our children learn to be friends too.’ Thank you all for this strength of character. I am proud of my friends.
There was a terror attack in Sydney, Australia in 2014. And a backlash, as usual. Then hundreds of civil society people sent out tweets to say that they will ride with any Muslim on public transport to protect him/her, #illridewithyou. That was beautiful. In London just last fortnight I saw several people who saw a woman in hijab and said, ‘You are doing good sister. I am with you.’ It might be a token gesture but very reassuring.
A young man wrote back to me, “I also feel bad, with a sense of guilt, which is so burdensome for me, about people who share religious and cultural elements with me….how can they be so insensitive and I cannot do anything….it is so unbearable…at times. I don’t know how good Germans faced themselves after Holocaust…. ”
I replied, “They still live the guilt in Eastern Europe (I discovered on a recent visit). But we should not believe in collective guilt and collective punishment. That is at the root of this hatred. Every Muslim is a terrorist…..or Babur’s descendent…or every Hindu demolished the Babri Masjid…We must not apportion guilt or punishment to the innocent. Not even to ourselves. But we must never fail to stand up and be counted on the side of justice and humanity. Never fail to hold the hand of the oppressed and the marginalised.
It is the responsibility of being Human……
To remain Human.”
Huma, after reading ur bold and sensitive article, looks like humanity is your religion. Keep it up!