By Marghoob Mohsin
Dear BJP leaders, Praveen Togadia, Sakshi, Sadhvi, Mukhtar Naqvi and all those who are endorsing Pakistani tourism,
I have a question to you and I need an answer.
Muslims are living in every corner of the world, 56 nations in particular. I must ask why you people find only Pakistan for all of us who are opposing your policies and a solution for all your problems. Why don’t you send us to Malaysia, Singapore, rich Gulf nations, Albania Algeria, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, beautiful Iran and Turkey, Uzbekistan and other Muslim countries?
Their economy is good and moreover they don’t have problem of overpopulation like the Indian subcontinent.
Or I should make a notion that you are giving respect to the Muslims for being Indian at the time of greatest upheaval during 1947 when every Muslim was in dilemma, when two nation theory finally got the shape, when it was the time to show true patriotism, when fathers were leaving their daughters and when brothers were leaving their sisters and vice versa, when the properties were allocated on the basis of your Indian properties. But we decided to remain loyal to this beautiful nation, to this motherland famous for unity in diversity, famous for brotherhood and religious tolerance and famous for being so colorful in nature with a hope that whatever will be the circumstances in coming years, the brothers in India will stand with us shoulder to shoulder.
UNHCR estimates 14 million Muslims, Hindus and Sikh were displaced during partition and it was the largest mass migration in human history. Even some of my relatives migrated to the newly created state of Pakistan and I can easily understand through the words of my mother &grandmother about the level of emotions, suffering, pain of separation and agony while migrating permanently.
We know majority of the people want to live and share their moments, their festivals and their happiness with us but honestly speaking, your speeches have far lasting discriminatory effect on a vast section of the society that is not a healthy sign for this beautiful nation. I am of the opinion that those who are doing wrong with this country they must be punished according to the book of law irrespective of caste, creed, language, region and religion.
When we can be loyal in 1947, then what’s the point of discussion as of now? I want to express this feeling with this beautiful Urdu couplets i.e.
Paida yahin Hua tha, yahin Marunga main,
Woh aur log they, Jo Karachi chale Gaye.
(I was born here and I will die here, those were different people who migrated to Karachi).
I must quote Nigerian dramatist Wole Soyinka who says: “The greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.” Presence of criticism is an integral part of democracy, in fact, it is the beauty of democracy. We have every right to differ with any political party on the basis of principles, practices and policies. That’s why Constitution has granted us to exercise right to vote and elections are held every five years to curb any possibility of dictatorship.
So my dear respected leaders, I would humbly like to suggest you that before sending us to Pakistan, please consider above mentioned points from a loyal citizen of India and fortunately one who is a Muslim.
Ajnabi apne qadmon ko rok zara, Janta hun tumhare liye ghair hun,
Phir bhi thehro zara,
Aao ke aaj ghaur karein iss sawal par
Dekhe thhe hamne jo, woh haseen khwab kya huye?
(O stranger, stop your hate mongering speech, I know I am not like you but still I want you to stop. Come and let us ponder on this question ‘What has happened to all those beautiful dreams that we saw together?’)
(Marghoob Mohsin is a 2011 pass out mechanical engineer from Aligarh Muslim University. A native of Azamgarh, he is currently working in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He can be reached at [email protected] or https://www.facebook.com/mohsin.mechies)