By Tariq Hasan for TwoCircles.net
Reports emanating from Basirhat in North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal pertaining to the communal violence which erupted there earlier this week are a matter of deep concern, especially to Muslims. To begin with, an incident of communal violence anywhere in the country should be treated as an issue of grave concern to all. However in the context of the present situation in the country if communal violence occurs in a state ruled by a non-NDA party it could point to a more sinister design.
Saffron groups are pulling no punches in their strategy to polarise voters along communal lines in such states and West Bengal is a prime target.
This is precisely the threat posed by the present wave of communal strife in parts of West Bengal, and the political fallout cannot be ignored. It may be premature to pass any sweeping comments on the present situation in this politically and communally hypersensitive state of the country but initial reports certainly do suggest that Muslims took to the streets after a Hindu youngster posted some derogatory comments regarding the Prophet of Islam. This ruse for sparking communal rights in India is nothing new and for well over a century now, anyone who wishes to deliberately ignite communal passions finds it extremely convenient to provoke Muslims sensitivities on this score. The central issue today is whether Muslims should show patience in such situation or whether they should give vent to their fear and frustration which has been slowly piling up since the past couple of years.
This writer is of the definite view that this is not the time for Muslims to be in a reactive mode. Despite the fears and bitterness which is gathering steam beneath the surface calm because of highly provocative incidents during the past two years including repeated incident of lynching by cow vigilantes in several parts of the country, it would be a fatal error if Muslim allow their emotions to spin out of control. In fact, they would be following in a well-laid trap if they respond to violence especially in places where a favourable government is in power. The Muslims of West Bengal should certainly be aware that by their volatile response they have done no favour to chief minister Mamta Bannerji who has in recent years emerged as a champion of minority rights in the country.
There are already some voices within the Muslim community which have now started a buzz over the emerging political scenario in the country. These voices are still muted but the alarm bells have started ringing. Close by in India’s neighbourhood the protagonists of ” Islam in danger” are eagerly awaiting to fish in troubled waters. This is certainly the time for a member of the Muslim intelligentsia to step out and leave behind their ivory towers and stand by the rank in file of their community and gently persuade them not to get provoked into resorting to violent means. Instead, they have to bestow their full confidence in those members of the Hindu majority community who are sparing no efforts in ensuring that justice is meted out to the minorities and all vulnerable and marginalised section of society.
If the Muslim of West Bengal carry the illusions that they are performing a sacred religious duty by protesting against any act of sacrilege against their Prophet they are gravely mistaken. Anyone who has studied the life of the Prophet of Islam will vouch for the fact that despite the gravest provocative acts and insults meted out to him by the non-believers, he always chose to act with restraint and understanding even towards his bitterest opponents and detractors.
If the Muslims abandon patience and take recourse to non-democratic and non-constitutional forms of violent protest it will be a sad day not just for the Indian Muslims but for the whole of India.
For the leaders of the Muslim community, it is time for eternal vigilance and they are in no position to ignore the message from West Bengal