ET BureauSome politicians claim that ‘Love Jihad’ actually exists and is not a figment of imagination…
How can it be a reality? Have interreligious marriages not taken place in the past? The whole thing has been blown out of proportion and what are the intentions behind building a crescendo is something those behind this should answer. These types of tirades create distances between communities. It is easy to start a fire but very difficult to extinguish it. The damage caused can be irreparable.
How do you react to the recent bout of hate speeches by some political parties and their leaders, especially the one by BJP’sYogi Adityanath?
I have great faith in the tradition of inter-faith understanding between communities. It is not easy to eradicate this tradition. You might create ripples here and there, but downright eradication of inter-faith understanding is impossible.
Do you think focusing on communally sensitive issues during the campaign cost BJP dear in the recent by-elections?
Heightening of passions is not good for anybody, whether it is those who raise it or those who are targeted. There are major issues, which need to be addressed and the office of the honourable PM has been raising those issues. The PM’s agenda of growth is something that will not be fulfilled by such kind of statements and behaviour (by political leaders). The development agenda of the PM needs joining of heads by all serious-minded people and also the representatives of the people to address real problems on the economic front.
How do you respond to the PM’s recent remark that Indian Muslims will live and die for India?
The PM has in no uncertain terms expressed his opinion that Indian Muslims will never mix with the reactionary elements of the society, who do not wish well to the country. There have been debates in the Press and by some Muslims that Indian Muslims do not want a certificate from the PM. Such an unequivocal statement by the PM will force all those who have been talking irresponsibly against a particular community. Such remarks coming from no less than the PM will certainly put a break on all those who were shouting in the form of a crescendo against a minority community.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat recently termed India “a Hindu nation”...
I believe that we all are Hindustanis, Bharatiya or Indians.
Your view on VHP’s diktat barring Muslims from garbha in Gujarat...
It is for the promoters of such ideas to see if these will do any good to them. I believe if somebody doesn’t relish the presence of people of other community, others should respect the decision and avoid it.
How can it be a reality? Have interreligious marriages not taken place in the past? The whole thing has been blown out of proportion and what are the intentions behind building a crescendo is something those behind this should answer. These types of tirades create distances between communities. It is easy to start a fire but very difficult to extinguish it. The damage caused can be irreparable.
How do you react to the recent bout of hate speeches by some political parties and their leaders, especially the one by BJP’sYogi Adityanath?
I have great faith in the tradition of inter-faith understanding between communities. It is not easy to eradicate this tradition. You might create ripples here and there, but downright eradication of inter-faith understanding is impossible.
Do you think focusing on communally sensitive issues during the campaign cost BJP dear in the recent by-elections?
Heightening of passions is not good for anybody, whether it is those who raise it or those who are targeted. There are major issues, which need to be addressed and the office of the honourable PM has been raising those issues. The PM’s agenda of growth is something that will not be fulfilled by such kind of statements and behaviour (by political leaders). The development agenda of the PM needs joining of heads by all serious-minded people and also the representatives of the people to address real problems on the economic front.
How do you respond to the PM’s recent remark that Indian Muslims will live and die for India?
The PM has in no uncertain terms expressed his opinion that Indian Muslims will never mix with the reactionary elements of the society, who do not wish well to the country. There have been debates in the Press and by some Muslims that Indian Muslims do not want a certificate from the PM. Such an unequivocal statement by the PM will force all those who have been talking irresponsibly against a particular community. Such remarks coming from no less than the PM will certainly put a break on all those who were shouting in the form of a crescendo against a minority community.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat recently termed India “a Hindu nation”...
I believe that we all are Hindustanis, Bharatiya or Indians.
Your view on VHP’s diktat barring Muslims from garbha in Gujarat...
It is for the promoters of such ideas to see if these will do any good to them. I believe if somebody doesn’t relish the presence of people of other community, others should respect the decision and avoid it.
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