Can Muslims Become Part of Mainstream Nationalism?

Gujarat Disturbances have brought the Muslim problem to the Forefront again. At the outset, I want to make it clear, without appearing to be on the defensive or apologetic, that I am neither a Hindu zealot nor a Muslim baiter, nor, by implication, do I condone or support happenings in Gujarat or elsewhere. Nor, of course, am I politically inclined. This article is an inspiration from a very bold, unusual, and forthcoming, but sensible, article by T Thomas published in Business Standard of 26 April 2002 on the same subject.

Whenever any disturbances involving Muslims take place anywhere, the Hindu community is automatically blamed - though sometimes justifiably. But, is it the responsibility of the Hindu community to keep their Muslim elements in good humour with the latter having freedom to indulge in all sorts of peculiar, often divisive, practices? There have been other minority communities in India over the centuries with whom there have been no major problems. Take Parsees for example. They have, while keeping their distinct identity, rites and customs, well synthesized with other communities.

They have proved nationalists to the core and have never looked over their shoulders for extra territorial loyalties or sympathies. Much the same is true of Christians at large, except for the negative practice & propensity of their clergy to indulge in alluring conversions, particularly amongst the poor sections of society. I may mention here that there is, pleasantly, no provision that I know of, except the latter day practice of ’shudhi’ introduced to admit back the converted elements, conversions in Hinduism.

Their educational institutions - convent schools and colleges - have attracted students from all communities and turned out men of standing and not religious fanatics. Their contribution in the fields of education, medical institutions and community services has at least offset their somewhat limited negative elements. So is the case with other minority religions/ communities of foreign or indigenous origin. At least most of them have not been disruptive, antinational or having extra territorial affiliations - covert or overt.

But compare the above with the attitudes, actions, and aspirations of most of the Muslims of India. An average Muslim identifies himself with Pakistan. Most, particularly those well off, not only maintain but also propagate extra territorial family and marital affiliations as if there are not enough co-religionists in India. It should be fair to assume that with the passage of almost 55 years after partition, the cross border affiliations should have become miniscule. Or is it a smoke screen for regular passage of intelligence? Which other community is so much bound to and guided by their clergy? And why the unprepared-ness to evolve a common civil code/ law for all citizens, which should be the law of the land – why should they alone feel it is only to target them? And which other community runs exclusive, inward looking schools which parallel Madrasas run by Muslims, in preference to joining the mainstream Government or other private institutions? Yes, if Madrasas rise to the level of Convent Schools of Christians, and are open to and sought by members of all communities as centers of modern learning, even while teaching about their own religion much as is done in convent schools, I have nothing against them. Of course I have nothing against a few exclusive schools, which also should be open and modern, to train their clergy as is done by some other communities. And what about the propagation of population? Propensity to procreate without limit, misguided by clergy under guise of religion - Catholics also have same reasons but most, if not all, catholic communities are procreating at progressively lower rate - religion does not come in the way of limiting the size of their families - they have increased the percentage of their population from somewhere around 8 or 9 % at the time of independence to around 12 or 13 % now. In absolute numbers - I may be somewhat wrong – they have multiplied nearly five times (from around 2.5 crores to over 12crores) while the other elements of population have multiplied around three times!

How is it that no Muslim leader or intellectual talks about these issues?

The only answer, I believe, is for the Muslim community is to look inwards, do some soul searching, bring in a revolution and aggressively integrate & identify with their country of domicile - not as a favour to Hindus but as a favour to themselves. T. Thomas has proposed some useful steps they can in this regard. While it is be recognized that Hindus can not, and should not, wish away or suppress the millions of Muslims, the Muslims must realize too that while they maybe able to live in isolation for a long period, or even forever, they can not lead prosperous lives. There is no substitute to being a part of the Nation.