Patriotism is in Indian Muslims’ DNA

It's an excellent, but self-motivated, initiative being orchestrated by Muslims and their various organizations throughout India including coastal Karnataka against the deadly Pulwama terror attacks which resulted in the death of over 40 CRPF Jawans. This initiative covers a wide range of protests and condemnations. Those who indulge in such terror activity go against the religion and humanity. Hence, the Muslims’ initiative is highly appreciated.

Many ask as to why there is a need for Muslims to prove their patriotisms particularly during the reign of BJP and not when other parties, especially Congress had ruled the country?  They also articulated whether it is necessary for Muslims to prove their patriotisms in more demonstrative manner?  Why others are not obligated to exhibit it?

Let us analyze their questions in the backdrop of Indian history in general. No doubt, Indian Muslims’ fidelity to their country is embedded in their blood and it was proved in various phases of Indian history. They do not need for any "Certificate of Patriotism" from so called nationalists who were secretly loyal and helpful to the British during freedom struggle. Because of this, one of the accused (who is now being portrayed as freedom fighter by a section of people) in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi was scot free.

Muslims of this time might have woken up today from their deep slumbers; but intellectual Muslims had woken up long before and strived hard and sacrificed for the cause of the country. Their loyalties to India were sincerely exhibited during the first war of independence which broke out in 1857. Muslims fought in teeth and nail to drive the British out of India. That's the reason, Muslims were the main targets for the British.

They were persecuted and harassed in many ways. They were deprived of their educations and jobs in various sectors of the British government. Even a small position in the government sectors were not provided to Muslims. From Tipu Sultan to Moulana Abul Kalam Azad, the freedom struggle was being continuously carried out till the independence of India in 1947.

Even if the Declaration of Allahabad Order in 1858 by Queen Elizabeth went against Muslims as a result of Muslims' patriotism and their disloyalty against the British, the Muslims had demonstrated their unshaken fidelity towards India. The British found it very difficult to shaken the Muslims and hence the British had tried their maximum level best to keep the Muslims away from the main stream. This is one of the main phases of the Indian history.

The British didn’t stop their devious tricks there itself while continuing it until they shaped up the concept of "Two-Nation Theory" in order to blame on the Muslims.

When the partition theory was proposed by Mohammad Ali Jinnah and other Muslim League leaders of that time, it was totally snubbed and rejected by the Muslims. A wide range of protests were staged by deep patriotic Muslims against this proposal throughout India. Campaigns, protests, slogans, street processions etc were held elsewhere. All India Azad Muslim Conference, against the Partition held in Delhi in April 1940, was one of the milestones in the Indian history that marks staunch opposition to the partition of the Indian Muslims.

Great Muslim personalities like Moulana Azad, Allah Baksh, Dr M A Ansari (ex-VP Hamid Ansari’s father), Asaf Ali, various Muslim organizations like All India Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadeeth, All India Jamiat-E-Ulema, Watan Anjuman, All India Muslim Majlis etc strongly condemned the 2-N’s theory. They had rejected the partition theory and soundly advocated for the composite Indian nationalism that comprises of Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Dalits and others alike. It is clearly elucidated in the book, MUSLIMS AGAINST PARTITION OF INDIA, authored by Shamsul Islam.

When the two nation theory was presented by then Congress in the table, elite and intellectual Muslims strongly opposed it and remained in India under the leadership of great Muslim leaders and scholars. They showed their resolute patriotism despite they belonged to Congress.

Throughout the historical phases of India, Muslims devoted themselves to India. But, unfortunately, the blame of partition of India was put on the Muslims by both British and RSS. While the Muslims were advocating for the composite Indian nationalism, the RSS which was born in 1925, was advocating the "Nationalism of Hindutva", which always stress for the fractured nationalism and anti-secularism. The assassination of Mahatma Gandhi was the result of such ideology. Nathuram Godse was just a face of such ideology that endangered the integrity and solidarity of India. It is still continuing!

It is worthwhile to note that Muslims not just woke up to prove patriotism only during BJP rule; they did it long before in various phases of Indian history. It's undeniable and indisputable truth lying in the history.

It's the more need of the hour than ever to thwart the stereotypes that were webbed around the Muslims in the contemporary India with all possible means and join more fully with socio-secular minded non-Muslims, who uphold the harmonious fabrics of our Indian constitution to defeat the divisive ideology & to live in co-existence and peace.

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