‘Go to Pakistan’ has probably been most often used phrase used against Muslims in India. Recently in yet another such incident the SP of Meerut, UP has been in the news and a video is circulating where he, Akhilesh Narayan Singh, is allegedly using the jibe ‘Go to Pakistan’. In the video he is seen shouting at protestors at Lisari Gate area in Meerut, “The ones (protestors) wearing those black or yellow armbands, tell them to go to Pakistan”. His seniors stood by him calling it ‘natural reaction to shouting of pro Pakistan slogans. Many BJP leaders like Uma Bhararti also defended the officer. Breaking ranks with fellow politicians, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi of BJP, criticised the said officer and asked for suitable action against him. Interestingly this is same Naqvi, who earlier when the beef related arguments were going on; had stated that those who want to eat beef can go to Pakistan.
Interestingly this is probably the first time that any BJP leader has opposed the use of this jibe against the Indian Muslims. True to the dominance of trolls who support divisive politics, Naqvi has been trolled on the issue. As such vibe ‘Go to Pakistan’ has been a strong tool in the hands of aggressive elements to demonise Muslims in general and to humiliate those with Muslim names. One recalls that when due to the rising intolerance in the society many eminent writers, film makers were returning their awards, Aamir Khan said that his wife Kiran Rao is worried about their son. Immediately BJP worthies like Giriraj Singh pounced on him that he can go to Pakistan.
The strategy of BJP combine has been on one hand to use this ‘go to Pakistan’ to humiliate Muslims on the other from last few years another Pakistan dimension has been added. Those who are critical of the policies of BJP-RSS have on one hand been called as anti National and on the other it is being said that ‘they are speaking the language of Pakistan’.
Use of Pakistan to label the Muslims and dissidents here in India has been a very shrewd tool in the hands of communal forces. One remembers that the ‘cricket nationalism’ was also the one to use it. In case of India-Pakistan cricket match, the national hysteria, which it created, was also aiming at Indian Muslims. What was propagated was that Indian Muslims cheer for Pakistan victory and they root for Pakistan. There was an unfortunate grain of truth in this as a section of disgruntled, alienated Muslim did that. That was not the total picture, as most Indian Muslims were cheering for Indian victory. Many a Muslim cricketers contributed massively to Indian cricket victories. The cricket legends like Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Irfan Pathan, and Mohammad Azaruddin are just the few among the long list of those who brought glories for India in the field of cricket.
Even in matters of defence there are legions of Muslims who contributed to Indian efforts in the war against Pakistan all through. Abdul Hamid’s role in 1965 India Pak war and the role of Muslim soldiers in Kargil war will be part of Indian military history. There have been generals in army who contributed in many ways for the role which military has been playing in service of the nation. General Zamiruddin Shah, when asked to handle Gujarat carnage, does recount how despite the lack of support from local administration for some time, eventually the military was able to quell the violence in some ways.
During freedom movement Muslims were as much part of the struggle against British rule as any other community. While the perception has been created that Muslims were demanding Pakistan, the truth is somewhere else. It was only the elite section of Muslims who supported the politics of Muslim League and later the same Muslim League could mobilize some other section and unleash the violence like ‘Direct Action’ in Kolkata, which in a way precipitated the actual process of partition, which was the goal of British and aim of Muslim League apart from this being the outcome of ‘Two Nation theory’.
Not much is popularized about the role of great number of Muslims who were part of National movement, who steadfastly opposed the idea and politics which led to the sad partition of the subcontinent. Few excellent accounts of the role of Muslims in freedom movement like Syed Nasir Ahmad, Ubaidur Rahman, Satish Ganjoo and Shamsul Islam are few of these not too well know books which give the outline of the great Muslim freedom fighters like Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Ansari Brothers, Ashfaqulla Khan.
Immediately after partition tragedy the communal propaganda did the overdrive to blame the whole partition process on Muslim separatism, this totally undermined the fact that how poor Muslims had taken out massive marches to oppose the Lahore Resolution of separate Pakistan moved by Mohammad Ali Jinnah. The whole Muslim community started being seen as the homogenous, ‘The other’ and other misconceptions started against the community, the one’s relating them to atrocities of Muslim kings started being made as the part of popular folklore, leading the Hate against them. This Hate in turn laid the foundation of violence and eventual ghettoisation of this community.
The interactive-syncretism prevalent in India well presented by Gandhi-Nehru was pushed to the margins as those believing in pluralism did not actively engage with the issue. The economic marginalization of this community, coupled with the increasing insecurity in turn led to some of them to identify with Pakistan, and this small section was again presented as the representative of the whole Muslim community.
Today the battle of perception is heavily tilted against the Muslim community. It is a bit of a surprise as Naqvi is differing from his other fellow colleagues to say that the action should be taken against the erring police officer. The hope is that all round efforts are stepped up to combat the perception constructed against this religious minority in India.
Comments
May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdous. He was an ideal for many, Respected by both Muslims and Non-Muslims. Loss for Mangalore community, a peace bearer has passed away. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un.
Great personality. I knew Moulana Syed Yusuf Saheb since my college days in 1969 and I have attended many of his Friday Jumaa sermons (Qutbahs) at Kachi Meman Masjid in Bunder, Mangalore. He used keep a good relationships with youngsters and inspire and encourage them to carry out the noble deeds for the betterment of communities and the society.
May Allah forgive him and accept all his good deeds. May Allah bless him with the bounties of Jannatul Firdous. May Allah give sabr to the grieved family to bear the loss of their dear one.
Innaa Lillahi Wa Innaa Ilaihi Rajivoon. Heartfelt Condolences.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilihi rajiwoon . Alhamdulillah, I am fortunate enough to have met & benefited from both of you. May Almighty bless today's imams/moulana's with wisdom similar to that of Moulana Yusuf saheb.
Allah SWT please accept his service to islam, to mankind, may grant him magfirah and cause him to enter highest level of Jannah. Aameen.
May Allah reward my grandfather with Jannatul Firdaus!!
Alhumdulillah, he has done so much good in his life.
He was one of the most generous and pious people I've ever known.
May Allah give us the guidance like my grand father to follow the righteous path to practice n preach! Indeed he was is n insha Allah vl b a grt personality ! Very soft spoken very humble down to earth personality !! May Allah accept his good deeds his work n forgive his mistakes n save him from fitnah of barzaq n grant him peace in his abode n grant him the glad tidings of jannah !! Ameen !! We will miss our nana dearly
*Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raajioun*, may almighty allah bless late moulana syed yusuf saheb,
With jannathul firdouse, aameen. He was one of the rare islamic scholars, with rich bundle & store of knoweldge of deen and duniya, keeping a very low profile and non-controversial & a broad minded humanitarian. Indeed, in his death the muslims of mangalore / d.k.dist / udupi dist, in particular and others in general, are deprived of a high thinking and simple living scholar in this modern era. As holy quran says *kullu nafsin zaayikathul mouth*(every living soul has to taste death)., each & every one of us has to face & taste death, when our living term ends in this world. But in this joureny between life and death, we have to live with our noble living and leave this temporary world to the ever lasting eternal world, with the memory to be cherished with, by the living masses. May almighty allah give strength, patience and forebearance to the family members of late moulana syed yusuf saheb, to bear the bear the brunt of bereavement, aameen. May almighty allah guide & protect all of us, aameen.
Very true brother
Aameen.. absolutely true
Exactly.. absolutely true
Very well said.. absolutely true...
Inna lillahi wa Inna ilaihi raajioon. He certainly was a testament of not just an amazing Muslim but also an amazing human being. he was a man of complete integrity.. he was someone who did not have even an ounce of pride and was an extremely down to earth person.... I consider myself extremely fortunate to have known him so very well and to have learnt all the immense knowledge from him.. he has departed from this dunya but he will remain in our hearts perennially. May Allah grant him jannathul Firdous. Aameen
End of era. No Muslim youth who attended his sermons can go astray. We need scholars like him to educate and enlighten Muslim youth and prevent them from going astray. May allah accept all his deeds and reward him immensely.
يَا أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ ارْجِعِي إِلَى رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَرْضِيَّةً فَادْخُلِي فِي عِبَادِي وَادْخُلِي جَنَّتِي
Moulana was great personality. Embodiment of simple living high thinking. Lived upto what he preached. Remained non controversial all his life. Very knowledgeable but extremely humble. His moderate and unique style of delivering khutbah impressed many,including me . He was taking keen interest in current affairs and concerned about global status of ummah. He always motivated me with his superlative appreciation and generous words. Always encourged me to deliver khutbas in his place , whenever I was in Mangalore. May Allah give him highest abode in Jannah
Innalillahi Wa Inna Ilahi Rajivoon. May Allah grant him magfirath and mashrat. I remember Moulavi Saab as a soft spoken, kind hearted,highly knowledable person but with down to earth approach. Moulavi Saab always make it a point to attend " Bearys Welfare Forum "- Abu Dhabi, arranged mass marriages at Mangalore ,and encouraged us to do more to the poor and needy in the society.
My usthad. The one who guided me and helped me to change my life. Inna lillahi va inna ilaihi rajivoon. May allah grant him one of the highest positions in jannah.
Very said. This is a loss not only for Muslim community, but also for all communities in Mangaluru. He was a true religious leader. May his soul rest in peace.
Innalillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiwoon.
Add new comment