I am sorry to write that this politics of treating Muslims as a monolithic
whole is terribly wrong, miscalculated, and not based on facts.The two
articles forwarded argue that Muslims of India must offer their apologies
for the Mumbai carnage because some criminals bearing Muslim names, dress
and slogans executed it. Do all Muslims on this earth think alike, eat
alike, dress alike and practice same rituals? They do not. Then why should
Muslims of India feel that they are responsible for this carnage? USA
dropped bombs on Hiroshima, Nagasaki, killed millions in Vietnam, European
fought two World Wars killing and maiming millions and millions. Should
Christians of the world come out with the apologies? Mother Sita was
kidnapped by a Brahmin, Gandhiji was shot dead by a Brahmin, should all
Brahmins offer their apologies? In 1984 thousands of Sikhs were butchered in
India, in 2002 hundreds of Muslims were killed in Gujarat, should all Hindus
of India and world offer their apologies? Inspired by Manu's Codes, many
people of high castes rape, kill and maim Dalits everyday, should common
Hindus need to offer apologies?
By writing such pieces few Muslims are helping to spread the Hindutva (and
Bush-minded) canard that Muslim Ummah is in league in spreading terror and
need to clarify.
I feel that Indian Muslims should behave as normal Indian citizens and rise
up to the occasion with those who are interested in safeguarding a
democratic-secular India.
Regards,
Shamsul Islam
