By Kashif-ul-huda
Dr. Mohammad Haneef is innocent. Not enough evidence is out there to suggest he was in anyway involved with people who were arrested in UK for failed terrorist plan. But in the new jungle law of post-9/11 world, you are guilty until proven innocent. Case of Dr. Haneef is most extreme. Even Australian Court did not think that there is any evidence to link him to any terrorist or their activities and therefore granted him bail.
But of course, we are forgetting that Dr. Haneef is a Muslim and even when court agreed that he is innocent he was not released. Australian Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews revoked his visa. Sure, Australia has any right to revoke their visa but then deport him to India, his country of origin.
But alas that did not happen and India bound doctor is behind bars. They can do this because they have no respect for Indians and contempt for Muslims. A Double whammy for the poor doctor, who was in Australia to serve Australians and earn a respectable living.
Unfortunately, Indian Muslims have remained silent on this issue, no vigil, no protest, no rally. Indian Muslim leaders and Indian Muslim organizations who are quick to condemn terrorism should also be quick in championing issues that concern us and protesting things that bother us. Elation of Indian Muslim intelligentsia at the possible nomination of a Muslim for the Vice President post is understandable but that does not help them connect to Indian Muslim masses and issues that matter to them. For long our leaders have been occupied with symbolic issues ignoring issues Muslim face every day.
If we are serious in making sure that terrorism does not find home amongst Indian Muslims then our intellectuals, leaders, and organizations need to be more outspoken. They should be able to speak their mind without fear. A major reason for support of Al-Qaida in the Arab world is due to the fact that only Al-Qaida was speaking what Arabs wanted to hear from their leaders.
Let this not happen in India. Let not terrorist and extremist take control of the debate and issues. Moderates can not be timid, they have to lead or lose the leadership position and all respect. This is what has happened in Arab countries. India provides democracy, stability and freedom that moderates can take advantage of nip all extremist tendencies in the bud by discussing and addressing all grievances.
I am happy that India has rightfully protested the illegal detention of one of its own by summoning Australian diplomat and complaining. GOI should be forceful and loud in their protest. Let the world know that an Indian life is not cheaper than any Australian, American or British. A nation of one billion and the largest democracy in the world deserve some respect.