By Aleem Faizee
The countdown has begun. Leaving behind dark memories of the renewed terror and trauma for the Muslims in India, it will be curtains for the year 2007 in few days from now. But apart from many other things, the year 2007 will always be remembered in the history of Independent India for two things.
First for the Sachar Committee Report, released in November 2006, that has analyzed the Social, Economic and Educational Status of the Indian Muslims. The report generated shock waves all across the Muslim world. Once out of the shock, they urged the Government for the implementation of this committee through several platforms. But their persistent campaign failed in convincing the Government to do a bit for the revival of the shattered community. To further complicate the situation, the activities of the forces, always at the forefront to subjugate the Muslims, went totally unnoticed by the Government. This, while they came out with new set of strategies to further suppress the Muslims.
Secondly, it is the Government’s decision to celebrate the completion of 150 years of the First War of Independence fought in 1857. While the celebrations did help in clearing the air of suspicions surrounding the Great Struggle, which many still recall as a rebellion, a mutiny and a Ghadar, at least to some extent, the Indian Muslims if we analyze, got nothing but a big naught once again.
Yet, a close look at the impartial accounts of the Inquilab 1857 and its aftermath and learning lessons from them can work as a sliver lining. It is a myth to suggest that the Indian Muslims are being ignored since Independence. You scroll down to the pages of Hayat-e-Javed by renowned Urdu Scholar Altaf Husain Hali and the condition of the Indian Muslims as described in the Sachar Committee Report will immediately come to the fore. He wrote, “The whole Government is suspicious of the Indian Muslims. And the Muslims, subjected to the kind of brutality and revenge after the rebellion, have lost all hopes in the Government for their well-being.”
The condition of the Indian Muslims was far from better even before Inquilab 1857 and it is evident when you read ‘Our Indian Musalmans’ by William Hunter who had noted, “The Indian Muslims have reached to such a level that even if they are eligible, the Government policies deny them acquiring the Government jobs. No one is ready to look after their concerns. And for the higher authorities in the Government, they are wary of the very existence of the Muslims.”
This was the condition of the Muslims during those days. The Muslims, who were masters at the moment for hundreds of years in India. Power apart, economically they were so sound that, according to Captain Alexander Hamilton, the wealth of Abdul Ghafoor, a Surat based entrepreneur was equal to that of East India Company.
However, well planned and deliberate suppression, sidelining and marginalization of the once flourishing Indian Muslims began the moment the British embarked on their quest for conquering the country in 1757 after defeating Sirajudaulat Palasi. It reached its peak in 1857 and existed till the country was liberated in 1947. And ever since then it continues unabated. Post independence the bifurcation of the country, enthused the anti-Muslim forces even more and they targeted the community with renewed vigor. The kind of vigor that had left even the Prime Minster of the country Jawaharlal Nehru helpless. In his own words, “The Muslims are being butchered in front of my eyes and I could not do anything. Nothing for me is more painful than this.”
It is ironic to see the most powerful Prime Minister the country has ever seen expressing helplessness in saving his fellow countrymen. More ironic is the fact that it has become a trend and even today those in power are doing the same. They keep on expressing their concerns instead of fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities vis-à-vis to the Muslims in India. And while they do so, the hapless community is left to combat new challenges.
Hence how long these things will dominate the country is not the cause for concern. But the thing is that have you analyzed the situation correctly. When you do it you will find, while the anti-Muslim forces are coming up with newer plans and newer strategies to further subjugate the Muslims, you are far from the right tracks to combat these challenges. Worst, some of the Muslim youths are virtually playing in their hands by resorting to anti-National and terrorist activities.
It is high time the Muslims in India learn lessons from Inquilab 1857 and its aftermath. The Lessons that can surely lead to build a new India if learnt correctly. A totally new India with peace and harmony prevailing at large and equal opportunities knocking everyone’s doors.
It is time the Muslims in India analyze their worsening condition with the same gist with which their enemies in various disguise, in fact the enemies of the country, are planning to subvert them. It is time they analyze their mistakes and plan accordingly. It is time they recognize their foes and their friends. And also the black sheep among them. Else, they should be prepared for even more frightening days in coming years.
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Aleem Faizee can be reached at [email protected]