I saw this article on one of the website, I would request you all to spend your time to read it. Dear Indians, You should not be wondering who I am because my name is Rehan Ansari similar to Ahmed or saeed or Mirza and I am not fictionalizing it. My English may not be as good or I may not appear as intelligent as many of my fellow Indians coming from convent schools. Still I have a heart which cries and eyes that flow/weep. During elections all parties remember me, some only to provoke my opposition whereas most others as my benefactors. But in the last sixty years I have been pushed to the brink in all spheres of life – courtesy our secular democratic rulers. Then I’m informed through high powered committees that I am the most backward, illiterate, poor and what not – even worse than those who have been deprived or respectable lives for centuries. How could I reach such a pass in just 60 years is a riddle with which our sociologist/intellectuals/historians will debate for a long time but for me it is not difficult to imagine as I am made to live my fate. My history begins with our independence when my beloved country was bifurcated (later trifurcated) on communal lines. A great concerted effort was made to make all believe that I shall be made responsible for the path chosen by the stalwarts of freedom struggle. Consequently started large-scale communal riots in the early decades causing innumerable economic damage to me. My life, property and prospects became booty to the rioters, most oftenly guided by those who were supposed to protect me. In the ensued frenzy more rioters were mobilized, yatras organized with the sole aim of demoralizing me to lose my self-esteem, self-confidence and self-respect. Then the secular parties cap-wallas establish a committee to hand over to me my report card. But they never cared to empower me by political representation. On the other hand, “non-cap wallas” – once-communal parties, whose existence depends on our opposition, halt every step, however small it is, in the name of Muslim Appeasement. They organize yatras, to demolish mosque, supervise our genocide, jail and encounter our youth in cold blood or, should I say, In a well-planned way. They deny our right to get justice that led the Supreme Court to order a hearing in other states. First they plan to encounter us and then plan how to sabotage the case. They claim development but what’s the use of it without the security of life, free will and equal opportunity if not a helping hand. I know the face: these lip services and hypocrisies of political parties are not limited to the Muslims but our fellow Indians too are suffering from the same problems. Despite all these hurdles, there are Muslims achievers in almost every field because of our hand work, entrepreneurship sand support from the inherent legacy of helping others in our community. Opportunities created by the free economy and most of all the unending support of my fellow Indians, their sense of justice as human belongs helped us grow. I know that most of the Muslim political leaders don’t have a public base but are air-dropped in our community by the high command. They sing their party’s song and expect us to dance on it. Our social and religious leadership lacks knowledge and vision. Scarcity of resources and lack of faith among themselves added to our misery. I am not frustrated but deeply saddened and scared with the daily state of affairs in our country. I am scared of the blazed nature of our intelligence and security agencies. They work in tandem to encounter us as can be seen from the leaked CBI chargsheet in Ishrat Jahan case. Despite the expose, of the involvement of right wing forces belonging to the Non-Cap-Walla Parivar, in terror cases, I am afraid of getting arrested after every terrorist attack. I am scared to use mobile, facebook, twitter or other social networking tools because I might get arrested when I speak against some Thackerey. Freedom of expression is only permitted when someone abuses our beloved Prophet, scared book or great religion. May be I am being too harsh but the truth is mostly bitter. I have a wonderful religion and I know many interpretations. I know our religious leadership’s come from madarsas of different sects who are Ill-educated to satisfy the educated young minds. They need to learn that the differences among sects are the flexibility allowed in Islam. There is a lot of scope of ijtehaad – interpretations according to the prevailing conditions that make this religion universal. We like to be left alone to settle these disputes of interpretation. There can be different explanation of constitution, like many courts in our country construe our Constitution or apply law differently. There is always a chance of Improvement. I know Islam and Muslims are used by our political parties to come into existence – read Non-Cap-Wallas or once-communal parties. I also know that Islam is used globally by some dominant and powerful countries for their energy security. But history will expose their deception. I know I am hanged to satisfy the collective conscience whereas a terror-accused belonging to the Parivar is paid by our government. My Haj subsidies are to be phased out but bonus is distributed on Diwali. Many other religious melas, fares, yatras get government support. My mosques are first demolished and then get divided but no punishment is meted out to the conspirators. I am also affected by corruption, poverty, hunger, female foeticide. But my voice against all these evils did not create sensation, hence not covered by our national media. Yes I require all types of affirmative action to uplift my community. I need reservations in education and employment because I am left behind or in other words to become competent. I need scholarships because I don’t have the resources to earn even my livelihood. I need to be kept in the Priority lending Sector by the banks to venture into small-scale business so that I can add up something in the national GDP. Affirmative action is not appeasement but justice for the weaker section of the society. Justices is more important to ensure equality and prosperity for all in the society. Above all, I need respect, love and security for my life and my family. My hope lies in my belief in Allah, creator of not only me but the whole universe including Cap-Wallas, Non-Cap-Wallas and their Parivar. I also believe that the intrinsically just and secular credentials not of any politician but my fellow countrymen will prevail. They will provide security to my life, will fight with me for justice, and will help us grow with them if not polarized by the politicians on communal line. A fellow Indian wants to save me from the clutches of religious (Islamic) fundamentalism but advocates for Positive Hindutva. He might gather some Vastnvis, Sareshwalas, and Siddiquis around Modi but for general Muslims, BJP and Modi are like a saying in Hindi “Karela…. Upar Se Neem Cadha” which means “ Neem-Coated Bitter Melon. How can one have it? May Allah bring Peace, Harmony and Prosperity to our country. Amen! Rehan Ansari (A Muslim Youth) – twocircles.net (Article was typed by me: Rehan & I am sorry for mistakes I have done while typing it)
Posted on: Wed, 09 Oct 2013 17:29:05 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015