Indira Satyanarayan for BeyondHeadlines
The Indo-Arab society of Mumbai on 7th February organized a Seminar on , ‘The Role Of Indian Muslims in the present Political set up’, at the Islam Gymkhana. The prominent guest list included, Maulana Zahir Abbas, professor Mr. Ram Puniyani, Lillian Gates Vice consul of America in Mumbai, Ali M. Alwash Consulate General of the Republic of Iran Mumbai, Pratiwi Amperawati Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Mumbai, Advocate Muchalla, member of the Muslim Personal Law Board and Suhail Lokhandwala, Ex MLA.
Welcoming the guests President Zainuddin Bandukwala said that the object of the Indo Arab Society which was formed in 1954 was to promote friendship between India and the Arab countries. He said the topic, ‘The Role Of Indian Muslims in the present Political set up,’ was a burning issue, most relevant in the present times. Muslims, said Mr. Bandukwala, form the largest minority in India, it is important to see what role will they play in the Progress and Development of the Country. They should stop identifying themselves only as Muslims they should realize that without education there can be no progress for the Muslims. Bandukwala lamented that there are no dynamic leaders like Vice President Hamid Ansari and Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad these days among the Muslims.
Maulana Zaheer Abbas, who has written a number of articles on Islam and on the status of women in Islam and is member of the Wakf Board, said that India enjoyed a Ganga Jamuni tehzeeb of various communities living together in harmony and peace. The maulana said that there are countries which follow only one religion. Pakistan and the Middle East he said has only one official religion, but the uniqueness of India is that there is diversity in religion and people follow different faiths. The Constitution, he said, clearly states that no one will be deprived of their rights, and this is the strength of our country, he added. Indian Muslims paid a great role in the freedom struggle for India but the expectations of Muslims have not be addressed as it should be said the Maulana.
Citing a significant incident, Maulana Zahir Abbas said that there was a time when a few Muslims had packed their bags and were heading for Pakistan from the Jama Masjid in Delhi. When Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad came to know of this he immediately rushed to the spot and prevailed upon those Muslims that they should not leave India because it was their Country. We do not find leaders of such stature these days, he said. The Maulana identified two ideologies prevalent in the country these days. 1) The RSS Ideology on which the BJP runs along with the Bajrang Dal and the 2) the ideology of Democracy. The latest elections have showed that people are moving towards the first –RSS ideology. Muslims he said should find a midway between the two ideologies.
Referring to the Charlie Hebdo killing in Paris Maulana Zaheer Abbas said that Muslims are at a critical juncture and are being exploited religiously and emotionally, there is a conspiracy against Muslims he said. The Leader for the Muslims will not be a Lalu Prasad or Mulayam Singh he will be from one of us he concluded .
When professor Ram Puniyani took over the mike he said that the prime Minister who took over the new Government seven eight months ago, was not just a part of a political party he is a trained Pracharak of the RSS. The BJP is not the only child of the RSS, he said there are various others like the VHP and the Bajrang Dal. The present political set up, said Ram Punyani, wants to bring in a HINDU NATION. How does Muslim Nationalism differ from Indian Nationalism? How are Minorities to be treated in a democratic set up? These are the questions which Puniyani raised before the audience. Religion he said should have a major role in moral values. Asking the minorities to give up their MINORITY SYNDROME, Ram Puniyani said that there should be an interaction in attitude between the majority and minority community Politics deriving its identity from religion refers to all communal groups. Puniyani lamented that Nathuram Godse who killed Mahatma Gandhi is being glorified these days.
Referring to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj wanting to declare the Bhagwad Gita as the National Book, Prof. Puniyani said that there can be only one national book which is the CONSTITUTION OF INDIA. When former prime Minister Manmohan Singh of the UPA Government did not speak Modi called him ‘maun Singh’ now when Union Minister of State sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti tells voters that they should choose between Ramzadon (those born of Ram) and Haramzadon (illegitimately born) why does Modi not speak asked Puniyani. Has the prime Minister become, ‘Maun Modi’, asked Ram Puniyani. Muslims also should integrate and shake hands as Indians he said.
Professor Suhail Lokhandwala said that it was fortunate to be an educationist and unfortunate to be an politician. He mentioned that if Muslims are not taken care of the country will not progress. Those who show themselves as Muslim sympathizers for vote bank politics they are the real enemies of Muslims, said Lokhandwala.
