What does it say about the less privileged Muslim minority in India when the Ex-Vice President of the country, Hamid Ansari is being asked humiliating questions about his patriotism. Is India at a point of no return ? We discuss. Please ask me your questions here
One would have expected that the Vice-President of the country would be spared the humiliation. But in what we call, the New India, there is no more even a semblance of respectability. Recently a Supreme Court judge in India who came down heavily on BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her role in spreading communal disharmony was labeled an Islamic stooge in public. Justice Suryakant, who is a Supreme Court judge was labeled an Islamist for calling out the hate politics of the ruling party in India
Whether it is the arrest of Indian journalist Muhammad Zubair, the arrest of Bollywood Superstar Shahrukh Khan's son, the humiliation of the ex-Vice President of India, the concerted attacks on Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan, a clear pattern is visible. Muslims in India, irrespective of their profile need to fall in line and continue to be citizens without a voice
It would be fair to suggest that in the history of India, no Vice President has been subjected to a similar scrutiny, especially being asked to prove his patriotism. Ansari, one of the prominent Muslims in the country has been consistently pointing out the apartheid like situation of the 220 million Muslims in India
Salvos are being fired at Mr. Ansari for his links with Pakistan. A petty, vindictive tirade has been unleashed at a man who has served India in some of the highest positions. The attack on him is a very clear indication that anybody in India who is a Muslim voice who is seen to be critical of the government, irrespective of his position in the constitutional office or even the highest offices will not be spared. Where then will the common Muslim man find space who is being booked in a case for offering Namaz in a shopping mall
The last eight years of the Narendra Modi government in India has seen some of the worst attacks on the Muslim identity. Ex-Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari, a tall figure who held one of the highest constitutional offices in India and has been critical of the attack on Muslim minorities in the country is now being questioned over his association with the neighbouring Muslim country, Pakistan
Hamid Ansari is being ridiculed and humiliated on news channels after a local Pakistani journalist said on a news channel that he had been invited to India by the former Vice President who gave him sensitive information that was then passed on to the ISI in Pakistan. A relatively lesser known journalists claims are being allegedly used to tarnish the reputation of a Muslim politician. A BJP spokesperson took a press conference to share a photograph of Hamid Ansari with the said journalist
In the past, many including BJP leaders have labeled Ansari, an anti-national. A term that is often thrown at Muslim public figures and critic. Many of us in India who are Muslims and with a public voice have had to bear the humiliating ordeal of proving our love for the nation. Each time a Muslim public figure speaks out and is seen dissenting, he or she is accused of de-stabilising the country and bearing allegiance to the neighbouring Muslim nation. 'Go to Pakistan' is the most common term that has been used in the past against Muslim public figures like Shahrukh Khan or Irfan Pathan
On the topic question, isn't it strange that pernicious strand of hindustva politics eating away Indian Democracy from within is actually making India a failed state, and leaving it ripe for further exploitation by global capitalists. And the brunt of this is (as always) borne by the masses, whereas the ruling Political/Business class that includes the present ruler(s) are (as usual though) so myopic or blinded with arrogance and corruption rendering them incapable of grasping the significance of the scenes of masses running over the palaces of their next door rulers in Sri Lanka (which is every ruler's nightmare)
Scenes coming out of Sri Lanka are delightful to the extent how it clearly shows that when collective consciousness of people is aroused, it becomes the most invincible force that no Power has any chance to counter it, but yet sad that it is people who will bear the cost.
On the one hand, the BJP is ruthlessly ambitious about installing governments in states that aren't yet in its fold. On the other hand, the BJP-ruled states are persecuting minorities while painting a narrative that India hasn't heard before.
What is dangerous about this narrative is its acceptance by the majority and the opposition's absolute inability to refute it. This brings me to the thought that not only is India changing into a nation very different from what Nehru and Sardar Patel envisioned, but it is also becoming wholly undemocratic and leaning toward the majority.
I do not think the situation can be salvaged through argument or refuting the majority's voice. Even protest -- peaceful or otherwise -- is not the solution. There is a need to create a narrative that subscribes neither to the ideology of Nehru/Sardar nor to that of Hedgewar/Vaidya. A new narrative must be built up -- one that redefines what it means to be an Indian and makes people understand that division will only serve the third party (China-Pakistan?).
Jesus said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." India, divided within itself, will face long and brutal consequences for the choices being made today.
This isn't a question about secularism or the lack of it. Even minorities need to understand what it is about the former ideology that made the majority feel their interests weren't being addressed. Again, this calls for a greater narrative that replaces what both Nehru and the RSS ideologues preached.
Dear Ms. Rana, I believe you are uniquely positioned to be a leading voice for a new narrative for India. You are fearless and you write well. And you have the power to make a real, big difference. Do it today!
As-Salam Rana, Thank you for standing up and being the vocal voice of Muslims of India. We need more visionary like you for speaking up and showing the world ISLAMAPHOBIA is real.
It is a little different topic, so please excuse my off-topic inquiry. I am interested in knowing what do you think about the situation in Sri Lanka; causes, remedies etc. IMF will or already has set its 'disaster-capitalistist' eyes on yet another Third World country. Again, please excuse my digression, I really appreciate your courage, integrity, and journalistic insights. Thanks!
I think more citizens should come up with facts against lies of the current regime without fearing for consequences as oppressor only fears from fearless people like you mam.
Not at a point of no return. We are already past that point. The common people are irretrievably contaminated. Even the leaders can't stop people from playing foul. See what is happening in the newest multi million Lulu Mall in Allahabad!
Rana, it seems the identity of the person going after Zubair is finally out, a BJP loser from Ahmadabad who is not coming out openly in targeting him. That is relieving for me, the public has not going crazy, it is just the party that keeps coming up with all sorts of machinations to discourage sharing of truthful information. that is a good sign.
It is a point of turn but I do not believe a point of no return.
The questioning and humiliation of a vice president of a country is beyond the pale, but the BJP is making a point to show no one will be spared...not Shahrukh Khan, not Hamid Ansari, not Zubair. They are breaking the country apart in many ways, targeting minorities, targeting poor (rising prices) ignoring North East regions. The problem I see right now is the absence of a strong opposition. The latter seem to be waking up but are not ready for action.
People actually like you all who just so very unconditionally turn up and also do volunteer for all the very social causes and work only in the very direction for the welfare of our very society.
I salute you for your courageous, relentlessly , without any concern for self-safety fighting for Justice, freedom, human right and free press in India. You remind me who what President Kennedy once said (“There is nothing to fear but fear itself”) is putting into practice. 🌹❤️🙏
One would have expected that the Vice-President of the country would be spared the humiliation. But in what we call, the New India, there is no more even a semblance of respectability. Recently a Supreme Court judge in India who came down heavily on BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her role in spreading communal disharmony was labeled an Islamic stooge in public. Justice Suryakant, who is a Supreme Court judge was labeled an Islamist for calling out the hate politics of the ruling party in India
Whether it is the arrest of Indian journalist Muhammad Zubair, the arrest of Bollywood Superstar Shahrukh Khan's son, the humiliation of the ex-Vice President of India, the concerted attacks on Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan, a clear pattern is visible. Muslims in India, irrespective of their profile need to fall in line and continue to be citizens without a voice
It would be fair to suggest that in the history of India, no Vice President has been subjected to a similar scrutiny, especially being asked to prove his patriotism. Ansari, one of the prominent Muslims in the country has been consistently pointing out the apartheid like situation of the 220 million Muslims in India
Salvos are being fired at Mr. Ansari for his links with Pakistan. A petty, vindictive tirade has been unleashed at a man who has served India in some of the highest positions. The attack on him is a very clear indication that anybody in India who is a Muslim voice who is seen to be critical of the government, irrespective of his position in the constitutional office or even the highest offices will not be spared. Where then will the common Muslim man find space who is being booked in a case for offering Namaz in a shopping mall
The last eight years of the Narendra Modi government in India has seen some of the worst attacks on the Muslim identity. Ex-Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari, a tall figure who held one of the highest constitutional offices in India and has been critical of the attack on Muslim minorities in the country is now being questioned over his association with the neighbouring Muslim country, Pakistan
Hamid Ansari is being ridiculed and humiliated on news channels after a local Pakistani journalist said on a news channel that he had been invited to India by the former Vice President who gave him sensitive information that was then passed on to the ISI in Pakistan. A relatively lesser known journalists claims are being allegedly used to tarnish the reputation of a Muslim politician. A BJP spokesperson took a press conference to share a photograph of Hamid Ansari with the said journalist
In the past, many including BJP leaders have labeled Ansari, an anti-national. A term that is often thrown at Muslim public figures and critic. Many of us in India who are Muslims and with a public voice have had to bear the humiliating ordeal of proving our love for the nation. Each time a Muslim public figure speaks out and is seen dissenting, he or she is accused of de-stabilising the country and bearing allegiance to the neighbouring Muslim nation. 'Go to Pakistan' is the most common term that has been used in the past against Muslim public figures like Shahrukh Khan or Irfan Pathan
On the topic question, isn't it strange that pernicious strand of hindustva politics eating away Indian Democracy from within is actually making India a failed state, and leaving it ripe for further exploitation by global capitalists. And the brunt of this is (as always) borne by the masses, whereas the ruling Political/Business class that includes the present ruler(s) are (as usual though) so myopic or blinded with arrogance and corruption rendering them incapable of grasping the significance of the scenes of masses running over the palaces of their next door rulers in Sri Lanka (which is every ruler's nightmare)
Scenes coming out of Sri Lanka are delightful to the extent how it clearly shows that when collective consciousness of people is aroused, it becomes the most invincible force that no Power has any chance to counter it, but yet sad that it is people who will bear the cost.
Some one said in literature,
'Ye are many, they are few' - 'they' know that!
Here's my interpretation of what is happening.
On the one hand, the BJP is ruthlessly ambitious about installing governments in states that aren't yet in its fold. On the other hand, the BJP-ruled states are persecuting minorities while painting a narrative that India hasn't heard before.
What is dangerous about this narrative is its acceptance by the majority and the opposition's absolute inability to refute it. This brings me to the thought that not only is India changing into a nation very different from what Nehru and Sardar Patel envisioned, but it is also becoming wholly undemocratic and leaning toward the majority.
I do not think the situation can be salvaged through argument or refuting the majority's voice. Even protest -- peaceful or otherwise -- is not the solution. There is a need to create a narrative that subscribes neither to the ideology of Nehru/Sardar nor to that of Hedgewar/Vaidya. A new narrative must be built up -- one that redefines what it means to be an Indian and makes people understand that division will only serve the third party (China-Pakistan?).
Jesus said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." India, divided within itself, will face long and brutal consequences for the choices being made today.
This isn't a question about secularism or the lack of it. Even minorities need to understand what it is about the former ideology that made the majority feel their interests weren't being addressed. Again, this calls for a greater narrative that replaces what both Nehru and the RSS ideologues preached.
Dear Ms. Rana, I believe you are uniquely positioned to be a leading voice for a new narrative for India. You are fearless and you write well. And you have the power to make a real, big difference. Do it today!
As-Salam Rana, Thank you for standing up and being the vocal voice of Muslims of India. We need more visionary like you for speaking up and showing the world ISLAMAPHOBIA is real.
Thank you
Please watch Capital Tv , spreading Islamophobia on utube. This is for your kind information.
It is a little different topic, so please excuse my off-topic inquiry. I am interested in knowing what do you think about the situation in Sri Lanka; causes, remedies etc. IMF will or already has set its 'disaster-capitalistist' eyes on yet another Third World country. Again, please excuse my digression, I really appreciate your courage, integrity, and journalistic insights. Thanks!
I think more citizens should come up with facts against lies of the current regime without fearing for consequences as oppressor only fears from fearless people like you mam.
Not at a point of no return. We are already past that point. The common people are irretrievably contaminated. Even the leaders can't stop people from playing foul. See what is happening in the newest multi million Lulu Mall in Allahabad!
زنداں کی قضائیں بھی تو دم توڑ چکی ہیں
دیوانے اناالحق کی صدا کیوں نہیں دیتے
رانا دنیا کی تاریخ میں آپ کا ذکر مصر کے انقلابی فلسفی ڈاکٹر قطب جیسے لوگوں کے ساتھ ہوگا۔
Such charges the BJP/RSS Traitors level at true patriots, are unworthy even if refutation.
‘DeshBhakthi’ (Blood Thirst for Muslims) demands Hamid Ansari Saahab deserves this humiliation much more than ordinary Muslims.
Rana, it seems the identity of the person going after Zubair is finally out, a BJP loser from Ahmadabad who is not coming out openly in targeting him. That is relieving for me, the public has not going crazy, it is just the party that keeps coming up with all sorts of machinations to discourage sharing of truthful information. that is a good sign.
It is a point of turn but I do not believe a point of no return.
The questioning and humiliation of a vice president of a country is beyond the pale, but the BJP is making a point to show no one will be spared...not Shahrukh Khan, not Hamid Ansari, not Zubair. They are breaking the country apart in many ways, targeting minorities, targeting poor (rising prices) ignoring North East regions. The problem I see right now is the absence of a strong opposition. The latter seem to be waking up but are not ready for action.
What if someone says ”when in Rome do as the Romans do “ ? I mean should the minority community be ready to accept second class citizenship…
You r a really best gift of Allah
We can never thank you enough for all that you do for us.
@RanaAyyub #RanaAyyub Ma'am.
People actually like you all who just so very unconditionally turn up and also do volunteer for all the very social causes and work only in the very direction for the welfare of our very society.
I salute you for your courageous, relentlessly , without any concern for self-safety fighting for Justice, freedom, human right and free press in India. You remind me who what President Kennedy once said (“There is nothing to fear but fear itself”) is putting into practice. 🌹❤️🙏
Is there any hope for minorities in India for a better future?
Rana, what's our political paradigm shift when an ex president is not spares to speak his voice?