NOVANEWS
By Sajjad Shaukat
Hindu politics and culture, dominated by the fundamentalist parties such as BJP, RSS, VHP,
Shiv Sena and other similar groups which have been propagating Hindutva (Hindu nationalism)
are feeling pleasure, because Indian elections based on media campaign against Islam and
Muslims, enabled BJP hardliner Narendra Modi to get a land sliding triumph in the Indian
elections 2014. Whereas the Indian Hindus celebrated Modi’s victory, who himself is follower
of the Hindu extremism has become prime minister of India, the Muslim community in India felt
frightened and perturbed.
Muslims are well-aware of Narendra Modi’s agenda to reduce the Muslim community in India
to second class citizens. Muslim anxiety in India is multiplying due the fact that during the
election campaign, Hindu majority was mobilized on ‘hate Muslim’ slogans. Hence, Modi
regime is likely to target and persecute Muslims in India. Besides, other similar events against
them, the massacre of Muslims in Gujarat might be cited as an example of the BJP brutalities.
While destruction and desecration of Babari Mosque in India led to the burning of Hindu
Manders (Places of Hindu worships) and destruction of Hindu property in Pakistan. Similarly,
maltreatment of Muslims—hating them in India will have dire repercussions for Hindus in the
Middle East including non-Arab Islamic countries.
If the BJP led Modi government started harassing and cleansing Muslims in India, the heat
will especially be felt by Hindus living in Middle East. In this regard, some forward looking
members of Hindu community are already feeling the heat, as Muslim anxiety in India is surging
through media projections about possible governing style of Modi in India. Insular minded Modi
and Hindu extremists of the BJP stand fully charged to govern India with iron hand especially
when question of Muslim community and other minorities is to be addressed. This has been the
elusive dream of Modi and the BJP to forcibly convert all non-Hindu Indians into Hinduism.
Their power motives are guided by their religious beliefs. Therefore, tough times are ahead for
Muslims to face in India
In this respect, anti-Muslim approach of the BJP and Indian new Prime Minister Narendar Modi
could be judged from the fact that encouraged by the election-victory of the BJP, on May 28, this
year, in a provocative act to disturb communal harmony among different religious communities
in India, Rashtriya Hindu Andolan, a little known Mangalore-based Hindutva outfit and activists
from various right wing groups organized a protest in Mangalore in front of the office of Deputy
Commissioner by demanding the authorities to ban the morning Muslim call to prayer (Azan)
Now, the analysts believe that Modi’s narrow mindedness would entrap him into street quarrels
and slanted politics, blended with social prejudice and political biases. Muslims are likely to be
the main target of Modi torment and the BJP persecution. This will certainly result into a chain
reaction, loaded with public emotions against Hindu community living in the Middle East and
other Islamic countries. Internally, India will face the worst turmoil.
However, Muslim countries will not be able to control public reaction against Hindus, in case,
Muslims are persecuted in India. Obviously maltreatment, oppressive tactics and cruel injustice
against Muslims in India will cause Hindu distress in the Islamic World, particularly in the
Middle East. So, Hindu abroad, especially in the Middle East are equally worried as practical
manifestation of Modi’s style of governance is likely to be upsetting for Indian Muslims.
Whereas Muslim dilemma in India is justified, while the incessant and unjust Indian propaganda
against Pakistan is beyond anybody’s cognition. It simply speaks of Hindu deep seated animosity
against Pakistan and Pakistani public.
Nevertheless, Modi and his Hindu followers must understand that in socio-political arena,
public motivation, based on exploitation of negative emotions may offer temporal gains, but
in the longer run such gimmicks prove fatal and disastrous. No doubt, Modi has won election
using ‘hate Muslim’ slogan, its practical manifestation will create negative backlash. Under the
leadership of Modi, maltreatment and socio-political marginalizing of Muslims in India will send
pessimistic message to Hindu community which is living in the Middle East.
In this connection, our own political leadership and media—especially of the other Arab and
non-Arab countries must give a matching response to the BJP-led new government. In this
context, they must make it clear that Modi’s victory in Indian elections is a source of concern not
only for Muslim community in India, but also for the regional neighbors including the Islamic
World. They must point out that Modi’s election campaign was based on negative emotional
appeal in which, he used Pakistan as enemy, while tipping-off Muslims to go to Pakistan. In
this respect, exploiting emotions negatively will have serious consequences for both the nuclear
countries, South Asia and the Middle East.
These Islamic entities must indicate that Indian media already toes Hindu mindset and conducts
propaganda against Islamabad and the Indian Muslims in one way or the other. That is why,
Hindus hate Muslims in India and Pakistan. By speaking in optimistic tone, our own electronic
media including that of the Muslim World must counter Indian propaganda, and suggest to the
new leadership in New Delhi to avoid playing with the fire, otherwise, the results would be
Nonetheless, Prime Minister Modi must understand that every action has its own opposite and
equal reaction. Therefore, let us give peace a chance, before the propagandists spoil the issue to
a point of no return. In order to settle all the issues including the thorny dispute of Kashmir with
Pakistan, which are essential for peace of the region, BJP and Prime Minister Modi must forget
that they won the elections on the basis of anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistan slogans.
Consequently, Modi‘s maltreatment of Muslims by emboldening the BJP would have frightening
repercussions in the Islamic countries, especially the Middle East including Pakistan.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants,
Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations
