By Syed Zubair Ahmad
Amidst the uproar over ED and CBI raids on opposition leaders, the arrest of hundreds of Muslims by NIA during last one year have largely gone unnoticed. While public attention focuses on the perceived political motivations behind ED and CBI actions against political leaders and businessmen, little is said about the NIA and ATS implicating Muslim youths in what are often deemed fabricated cases. This hypocrisy highlights a stark lack of sympathy for Muslim ‘victims’ of NIA and ATS investigations, contrasting sharply with the empathy extended to those targeted by ED and CBI.
The prevailing sentiment among the Hindu majority tends to view ED and CBI actions as politically driven, yet sees NIA and ATS interventions as serving national interests. This perception underscores a complex narrative wherein economic status intersects with communal identity, shaping the dynamics of state scrutiny and public perception.
The fact is that thousands of crore ₹ have been siphoned from the national exchequer by Hindu businessmen and politicians, as revealed by SBI in Electoral Bonds case before Supreme Court. This is against national interests. However, it is yet to be proved before the honourable courts whether the hundreds of Muslims who have been arrested by NIA on the charges terrorism have committed any crime.
The strategy employed by the current ruling dispensation appears astute: leveraging agencies like ED and NIA to polarise voters and marginalize political opponents. This dual approach reinforces the notion that while Hindu victims of government actions are often portrayed as political casualties, Muslim victims facing NIA investigations are frequently labelled as anti-national.
A pertinent example of this narrative unfolds in the aftermath of ED’s interrogation of Rahul Gandhi, prompting his launch of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Notably, this coincided with the banning of PFI on the day the Yatra entered Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi’s constituency. When questioned about PFI’s ban, Rahul Gandhi’s response, condemning organizations that promote hatred and disrupt social harmony as “anti-national,” raises critical questions about the arbiters of national identity and loyalty.
Interestingly SDPI, the political wing of PFI declared its unanimous support to Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad during 2019 Lok Sabha Election.
The ban on PFI raises eyebrows considering its absence from terrorism-related cases and its avowed support for constitutional values and secularism. PFI’s past campaigns, including ‘Save Constitution’ and ‘Save the Republic’ initiatives, reflect a commitment to democratic principles. However, the ban, coupled with widespread arrests of hundreds of Muslims by NIA, points to a troubling trend of targeting specific community under the guise of national security.
The silence of ‘secular’ politicians, journalists, and activists regarding these arrests is conspicuous, highlighting a reluctance to confront the systemic biases within law enforcement agencies. This hesitance extends to Muslim leadership, signaling a climate of fear and apprehension.
The prevailing sentiment among Muslims reflects a disillusionment with mainstream politics, where their patriotism is often questioned and their grievances sidelined.
After spending 10-15 years in jail, they may be acquitted, but their prospects for the future remain uncertain. If they are married, their entire families will face exhaustion, both mentally and physically, as well as financial strain. The impact on their children is a distressing thought.
As Muslims, we are aware that our patriotism is often disregarded, with many so-called secular parties viewing us solely as a vote bank or treating us like outcasts. There is little expectation of justice from the judiciary, especially when it is perceived to act with bias against political opponents of the current regime. This sentiment is highlighted by examples such as a politician accused by PM Modi himself in a 70k crore scam holding post of deputy CM in the BJP-led government, while those accused in 300 crore scam are imprisoned.
The use of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) by the Modi government to settle scores with political opponents and businessmen is quite apparent. Many political adversaries find themselves in jail, while the BJP’s coffers swell. While targeting Muslims through the National Investigation Agency (NIA) aligns with a certain political agenda, as they are not typically affluent individuals. This tactic conveniently aids in the portrayal of dissenters as anti-national elements, thereby serving to polarize the populace under the guise of nationalism by a self-proclaimed ‘nationalist government’.
Hindu ”victims of government agencies often viewed as political casualties, while Muslim ‘victims’ are unfairly labeled as anti-national. This stark double standard reflects a systemic bias within the administration, perpetuating a narrative that disproportionately targets and demonizes individuals based on their religious identity. Such discrimination only deepens social divisions and undermines the principles of justice and equality for all citizens, regardless of their background.
There is need to challenge the government order which declares the PFI as anti national organisation by this govt. Prima facie it appears to be an act based on hared as the PFI cadre often come out in the open on muslim issues.
INTEGRATE DO NOT SEGREGATE.
14% of the population but 4% of Army, Police and Public workers.in India. WHY??
In the USA 14% are interfaith meetings that I attend in India it is 4%.WHY?
In the USA in minority communities Jews , 50% intermarry.However only 12% of Muslims and Hindus intermarry in the USA.
Intermarried couples are shunned in India but they are accepted in the USA.
Educate, Educate, Educate…
The Irish and Italiens catholics when they came to America were shunned with signs ” No Irish Apply” Dagos go home”
Muslim mosques are opposed by Hindus in the USA but are accepted by locals.
Muslims are building their own schools and each new generation is better integrated than the next.
I work with three generations of Muslims as this month am invited to three Iftakar dinners as guest.
What I say to you is out of love as another human being.
I hope you take it that way.
Porus Dadabhoy
President
United for Peace
Building Democracy
Looking at USA and India …
Muslims are 14% in India and Black are 14% in the USA.
Black Panthers armed themselves and started walking around with Guns in public
Antifa came about decades later doing the same.
both groups indicated they were protecting their community from
KKK
Proud Boys
Oathkeepers
Bottom line all White and Black are anti national groups.
Americans have the right to bear arms and carry them freely in 30 states with loose laws and they have
more guns than people…
But do these groups KEEP AMERICA safe ??
Here is more information of the other side you failed to provide.
Hindutva Extremists are just as much Anti Nationalist as others.
Extremists have no religion.
It is because Muslims do not Obey Qur’an which says that the Religion of a Person is the Country where he lives and Muslims live in India but do not accept that they are Indians. And it is so that they believe SHARIAH above the CONSTITUTION and claim that they are Muslims. In fact they are “धोबी का कुत्ता न घर का न घाट का।”