Ansari, who released the book at the India International Centre (IIC) before a full house, added that NGOs working for the minority – specifically Muslims, were working in a space left vacant by the State.
"We need to eschew the prevalent virus of considering Muslims with apprehension, intolerance and otherness," former Vice President of India Hamid Ansari said on Tuesday while launching the book 'Working with Muslims: Beyond Burqa and Triple Talaq' written by Farah Naqvi.
Ansari, who released the book at the India International Centre (IIC) before a full house, added that NGOs working for the minority – specifically Muslims, were working in a space left vacant by the State. Speaking about the book, he added that the NGOs were working on a small budget though it was shouldering the responsibility of a functioning state.
Ansari suggested that a change on three fronts – social, economic and political, would go a long way in the development of the Muslim community that was struggling for legitimacy.
He concluded his remarks with a quote from the book that said, "The constitutional promise of equality is only achievable when development reaches the last line."
The launch - attended by over a hundred people including Bollywood actress Sharmila Tagore, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farookh Abdullah, noted veteran journalist Mark Tully among others saw a panel discussion where the likes of Harsh Mander and Siddharth Varadarajan spoke about their experiences vis-a-vis the book.
Naqvi introduced her book and read passages from it, spoke about the research and her experience while writing the book. She said that NGOs play a vital role in the development of one's society, however, it cannot be a substitute for the State.
Naqvi also spoke about the internal war raging among young Muslim leaders who have shouldered the responsibility for the development of their community, while coming to terms with the burden of their identity. She went on to suggest that development of the 180 million-strong population is beyond the 2019 elections.
Panel Discussion
The book launch also saw a panel discussion where the likes of Harsh Mander and Siddharth Vardarajan spoke about their experiences vis-a-vis the book.
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