Mahmood Hussain
Let me begin with a disclaimer – I am not a member of the Tableeghi Jamaat and I am not their advocate.
All I care about is that amidst a global health crisis, sections of the media in India, precisely, the Godi Media have given a communal twist to the global threat we are together battling by blowing Nizamuddin controversy out of proportion. By presenting this poisonous narrative, it has not only threatened to undermine the nation’s efforts in combating Corona but has also shown that the sole enemy of Hindutva band is Islamophobia and nothing – not even a dealy pandemic – can put a hold on their display of sheer hatred for Muslims. In the wake of Delhi riots when Godi Media favorite, Zee News had broadcasted a jihad rant classifying different kinds of jihad, social media warriors seemed to immediately expressed this distasteful stunt through memes and jokes but now these channels have even coined the word – “Corona Jihad” to extend their campaign of demonizing Muslims.
For those who don’t know, volunteers of Tableeghi Jamaat travel across the world, throughout the year urging Muslims to return to their roots by following traditional practices of the Islamic faith. But, it was highly irresponsible and callous on the part of the Tableeghi Jamaat to continue its volunteering activities and congregations even as the virus was spreading its tentacles across the world and we were seeing a domino effect across countries. That a similar congregation in Malaysia in February had helped the virus spread across the entire South East Asian region should have been a red herring. As also the Prophetic guidance on quarantine and social distancing, 1400 years ago.
This irresponsible action has allowed the Godi Media and its fan following to divert attention from the lapses of concerned authorities and their mismanagement to the Jamaat alone, who is now to be blamed for this entire chain of events. Even when WHO declared COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic on March 12, 2020, we, in India had not become fully aware of the threats posed by the virus. Only 80 cases had been reported till March 12. There were no restrictions on travel to and from India (except to China, Iran and Italy) when the congregation had apparently started. The Parliament was still in session. Members of Parliament were attending parties. Celebrations were being held in the ruling party headquarters as their party had captured power in Madhya Pradesh. A chief minister was conducting a religious gathering.
Over the first weekend in March, I had undertaken a field visit to Jharkhand. People were celebrating Holi across the country. Janata curfew happened on March 22 and with the full-fledged lockdown, only the Markaz was directed to shut down. It is surprising that such a congregation was happening right under the very nose of the local police station and no measures were taken to dissuade the organizers. Visitors from foreign countries are required to report to local police stations. The Delhi Government had placed restrictions on gatherings around the same time as the events unfolded. But it didn’t have power to implement since Delhi police is under the Central Government. When the Markaz was ordered to shut down, 1500 people – potential carriers – were allowed to walk out without any medical screening or quarantine.
No doubt, the Jamaat should have exercised abundant caution. But, the truth that Godi Media must now focus on is Corona Jihad campaign, which it demonstrates through its highly dramatic special effects prime news, is spreading like wildfire. One must remember that Corona Jihad campaigners and their fingerlings are here to divert attention and plays down lapses by the concerned authorities. At the same time injecting communal hatred into a public health matter when the authorities are most ill prepared to tackle a medical emergency will end up making matters much worse.
May good sense prevail and God protect us all.