Bal Thackeray and Justice Katju

A section of the population of Maharashtra especially Mumbai on November 17 went emotional at the natural death of Bal Thackeray as if Thackeray was a great national hero who had done great deeds for the progress of the country and welfare of her masses. For that matter the way of political leaders’ expression of sorrow was the same. But there were some souls who had been looking at this all with great wonder; one of them is Chairman Press Council of India Justice (Retd.) Markande Katju. He was not able to bear all this; at last he expressed his heartfelt feelings in a written form the same day. He asked why he could not pay tribute to Thackeray, and then wrote, the gist of what is: Bal Thackeray emerged as a leader of Maharashtra on the politics of hate and narrow-mindedness. By presenting his bhumiputra (sons of the soil) theory for Maharashtrians, he worked much against the greater interests of the nation. He made his debut in politics with attacks on North Indians in Bombay (now Mumbai), then spread hatred against Biharis and U.P.ites, made attacks on Muslims as well – this entire gamut of his activities was against the constitution of the country and its unity and harmony. (November 19, The Hindu)

Why these accolades?

There would be hardly any right-thinking person in the entire country, even in Maharashtra and even from among the Marathi-speaking persons, who would oppose this analysis of Justice Katju. It is a fact that Bala saheb emerged as the leader of a section of Marathi speakers by spreading hatred and disgust against non-Marathis. But the question is how such a person could win these accolades, this countrywide fame and this political stature. The answer is “media” – he did get popularity among simple Marathis but it is the national and international media that treated him with accolades. Why? Because, it is the very nature, very habit and very basis of media. It treats with great fervor those who call others names. The entire post-Independence truth bears witness to this truth. During the Ram Mandir movement Ashok Singhal, Uma Bharti, Sadhvi Rithambara and Pravin Togadia could become “popular” due only to this. Three years ago, Varun Gandhi attained the height of fame in media within no times by abusing Muslims in public addresses in U.P. This is also the real cause of “popularity” of Modi in Gujarat.

One more question

Now there is one more question: why do media get success in its campaigns? The answer to this question is that this is the collective mentality of the public. And perhaps Justice Katju understands best this mentality of Indians more than anyone else. Making an extraordinary comment on this subject in the Indian Express (April 4 this year) he declared 90% Indians as foolish and presented 10 examples of their weaknesses. The media in fact take benefit from these weaknesses of the masses and provide them with what they want. The masses like the campaigns for sensationalism, blames and counter blames, abusing others and hatred and disgust. Therefore the real culprit is media, not Bal Thackeray. It was the media that made Thackeray a hero. And the media too is culprit No. 2. The culprit No. 1 is Indian public. So Justice Markande Katju will have to pay attention to training of the public mentality. He should not take the Thackeray issue as some secluded one; he should rather take it in the backdrop of entire moral decay, and then make attempts to reform it. Perhaps he is not in this position; but as the chief of Press Council he can do at least some reform of culprit No. 2.

28/ 11/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

Fifty Years Ago

When the leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind founded a distinguished educational institution at Bilariyaganj in the man-fertile district of Azamgarh in Eastern Uttar Pradesh 50 years ago, the situation was very adverse; there was paucity of resources and no opportune time to think over the future course of action; however the idea was that the institution would train new generations purely in accordance with the Qur’ān and Sunnah, keeping from the prevalent sectorial concepts and rising above every kind of narrow-mindedness and parochialism. And also that it would acquaint the students with modern branches of knowledge so that after graduating therefrom they emerge strong enough from employment point of view; and that after graduation if they want to do specialisation in certain branch of Islamic learning, they might be admitted in any national or international institution. These wishes of the founders of Jamiatul Falah, their concerted efforts and their supplications did work and today after the passage of 50 years this institution has emerged as a strong, fruit-bearing tree, wherefrom thousands of students, male and female, are being benefited and spreading the light of knowledge at home and abroad. There is no sectorial restriction on these students; with regard to Deen the windows of their minds are opened totally so as to allow them to adopt whatsoever way they like in accordance with the Qur’ān and Sunnah.

A distinguished institution of its kind

In this way, Jamiatul Falah Bilariyaganj is a distinguished and only institution of its kind that teaches respect for all schools of thought and lending cooperation to all in goodness and piety. And it is also a fact that Jamiatul Falah enjoys the cooperation of Ulema of the various sects and institutions and these Ulema treat it with respect. It was greatly witnessed during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of this Jamia in the third week of November. The Ulema participated in the various sessions of the three-day celebrations but the way the Ulema and scholars expressed their feelings and thoughts in the Ulema Convention in the evening of November 16 was extraordinary. The gist of what they said is that all of them irrespective of their sectorial and group affiliations want the success of Islam and the resurgence of the Ummah. As for international challenges to education and tarbiyah, their viewpoint is that the Muslim Ummah in India should face them with full confidence and courage, and establish a harmonious fusion of Islamic and modern education so that the new generation might go ahead and face modern challenges at both fronts.

The future of Jamia is bright

Most of the founders of Jamia have departed to the Lord Almighty with success. Some are alive even today. In Akhirah those who have witnessed the Golden Jubilee celebrations and their auspicious scenes would tell the deceased that the objective with which they had established the Jamia is near completion. The functionaries of the Jamia today are making concerted efforts for the progress of Jamia with zeal and enthusiasm. Their concern and commitment was quite evident on the occasion of Golden Jubilee celebrations. Besides the sequence of programme and preparation for arrangements, the educational exhibitions of students were telling that the future of Jamiatul Falah Bilariyaganj is secure and bright. Organising the Golden Jubilee celebrations was indeed a great challenge. There might be some lacking in setting the programme – some topics that should have been there could not be included – and the participants might have felt some trouble but as a whole this programme was a great achievement. We hope nay believe that after this programme new ways of the progress of Jamia would open and soon it would be included among the most important educational institutions in the country, Allah willing.

25/ 11/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

A question of the Apex Court

“Do people belonging to Sikh, Jain and Buddhist religious groups fall under the Hindu personal law?” The Apex Court has raised this question in response to a petition, and issued orders to issue notices to the Union Government and its Attorney General. A well-known Sikh scholar Birendra Kaur, in her petition, has challenged the attempts of the related Sections of the Constitution and other legislations to obliterate the separate identity of Sikhism by recognizing its followers under the broad religious connotation of Hindus. This lady scholar said this negated the constitutional guarantee to each individual to practise and propagate the religion of his/her choice. Earlier, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had dismissed this petition by Birendra Kaur but the Supreme Court not only allowed the petition for hearing but also raised the question before the Government and Attorney General and issued notices to them. (The Times of India, Nov. 13) The petitioner says that adopting one law for all religions is one thing but declaring other religions as parts of one particular religion is entirely different. “Would it be acceptable if the name of the Hindu Marriage Act was changed to Buddhist Marriage Act and made applicable to all four religions?”

It’s their internal matter

Which religious group adopts what status for itself is of course its internal matter, the right of which rests with it alone; no one else should cast opinion thereon. The Jain community has acquired the status of minority so that they might run their institutions under the facilities and privileges given to minorities. Although the Buddhist community calls itself a separate entity yet it has not been able to detach itself from the Hindu religion for the sake of reservation and government quotas. The history of Sikhism, according to our knowledge, is that Baba Nanak founded it on monotheism, viz. the concept of one creator and master and he was dead against idol worship but after Baba Guru Nanak, during the times of Guru Gobind Singh, its shape was changed and it came close to Hindu precepts and traditions. It is said to the extent that Khalsa panth was established for the protection of Hindu religion. However, many Sikh scholars, including Birendra Kaur take Sikhism as a separate and complete religion and in no way a part of any other religion; it has its own laws and bylaws, customs and traditions.

Our relation with this discussion

As mentioned above this is the internal matter of Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist religions, we have no direct relation with this issue. However, there is somewhat relation with it from one aspect. Here is a group that claims to be the “majority” religion; Vishwa Hindu Parishad represents it. The group claims that it consists of 80 to 85 per cent population, so it should dominate. On the basis of its so-called majority, it keeps on making efforts in different ways to subjugate minorities especially Muslims. Besides the above mentioned religions, it also declares those crores of Adivasis who in the known terms do not belong to any religion; these Adivasis have their own traditions and respective local beliefs and ways of living; they do not care even about who takes them in which way and who says what about them. But the Hindu Parishad men impose the authority of their artificial majority on Muslims. – This is another matter that the provocations and slogans of the Parishad make these people (Adivasis) gather around them. Can’t it be that some governmental or non-governmental institution conducts a survey to find out that with respect to faith and practice which is the most organised and comprehensive as well as the largest religion in the country?

22/ 11/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

A court’s sympathy with the police

A trial court in Delhi has said that FIR should not be filed against police officers on mere flimsy and weak ground because it would entail serious consequences on their career and at last might ruin their career. Additional Sessions Judge Virender Bhat gave this opinion when a resident of Delhi complained that when in July he along with a relative was returning home after attending a wedding, an SHO stopped their car and asked for their vehicle’s papers. Later on he and his associate were compelled to drink liquor and assaulted inside lock-up. The complainant wanted the trial court to issue direction to lodge an FIR against the SHO and an ASI. But the judge rejected the man’s plea. The learned Judge also said, “Such an order paves the way for arrest of the police officers and their suspension. Their career gets adversely affected and no compensation will be adequate if later on they are absolved of the charges.” (The Times of India, November 12)

The concern is commendable

This concern of the learned Judge over the career and future of police personnel is respectable and commendable. Although legal and Constitutional provision says that courts should base their decisions on merit whosoever the parties might be; further that they should confine themselves to the requirements of law, for the responsibility of career and future of citizens rests with the government. For the last some years it is being observed that courts of law are passing remarks even in view of social and economic aspects; commentators call it judicial activism. While many are against it, some are also in favour of it. As our judges are part of society, their concern might be called proper. However, the expression of this concern and worry should not be only about police personnel and government officers, rather about all citizens. Isn’t it true that in certain cases policemen register FIR against common citizens on flimsy rather absurd grounds, then cases linger so much so that the career and future of innocents gets ruined, the compensation of which is not possible even after their acquittal.

Here the case is rather serious

And this situation is rather serious as far as Muslims are concerned, particularly in regard to the allegations of terrorism. Muslims are picked up on flimsiest doubts – especially the youth who are busy in some faculty of education to prepare for settling their career so that they might make their and their families’ future better and secure. But their undue, unsubstantiated and baseless detention and arrest ruins their and their families’ future. Then this colossal loss cannot be compensated even if they are acquitted in some cases. Not only this, every arrest of this kind shocks the entire Muslim community; the web of doubt is further widened. – The sympathy of the learned Judge of Delhi with policemen and other government officials is well and good; we support it; but how well and good it would be if judges issue orders for moral training of policemen and tell them that as they feel grieved at the very idea of ruination of their career and future following FIRs against them, similarly darkness hovers before the eyes of innocents and the members of their families (if they are arrested on concocted charges).

19/ 11/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

“Why this feeling of Muslims”

“As a member of a minority community I can see after all why a Muslim feels he has not been understood better. But the question is why active Muslims are not trying to tell us in detail and make us understand all about Islam. For example, I want to understand Islam with good intention and in this regard my mind is quite open. There are also other persons like me who want to understand this religion without any prejudice; therefore the teachings of Islam be made clear to us. Ours is such a country where all major religions of the world are present. Besides those few persons who exploit religion for their political and other objectives, we (Indians) have been tolerant towards other religions, other languages and traditions.” This is the gist of a letter published in the English daily The Hindu on 9^th November. And the context of this letter is the discussion on the award given to a foreign author VS Naipaul at Mumbai Literature Festival and its opposition. Naipaul is a treacherous and perjurer writer.

It’s our enjoined obligation

But at this time the award to Naipaul is not under discussion; for the disease that those having a particular mind and thinking are being awarded is common. The use of the innocent girl Malala of Pakistan for Nobel Prize also presents this mentality. The opinion of Susan Jacob, a Christian letter writer from Chennai is under discussion here; the spirit of this letter is that a Non-Muslim wants to understand Islam with good intention and without any bias, and suggests to Muslims to do this work. Muslims should do this work not because the present time is hard and full of trials for the Muslim Ummah, Islam is being attacked from all quarters, efforts are on to defame and harass the Muslim Ummah at international level – hence the need to propagate Islam so that they might get rid of this ordeal – but because it is the assigned duty of Muslim Ummah and every member of it; they have to do this work in every condition. Whether the condition is cordial or otherwise, this Ummah has been raised for this very purpose. The success and welfare of the entire humanity is its objective and to draw the attention of human beings towards their Creator and Master is its responsibility.

Pinpointing a fact

But the letter of Susan Jacob is pinpointing the fact that Muslims are indifferent to this obligation. Let’s take this very country. Dawah and propagation is being carried out but not at the level this country needs. The Islamic movement is doing this work formally in a planned manner. Besides, some other organisations and individuals are also busy in distributing the copies of Qur’ān and Islamic literature in their own respective ways but they are not getting the support from the general community to the extent required. There should be a situation in which every Muslim who has even some conscious knowledge of Islam should strive for Dawah wholeheartedly. Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) caused the greatest revolution in human history within a short period of 23 years on the basis of Dawah. Today the responsibility for this work rests with his Ummah. The other fact mentioned in the letter of Susan is that a majority of masses are unprejudiced. Indeed the Islamic Dawah will have no impact on those who are doing anti-Islam propaganda in a planned manner, as a long-term conspiracy; but those are not affected by this propaganda will definitely accept the impact of Dawah.

16/ 11/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf