I'm a Hindu myself, but I find that India, and particularly these message boards go overboard on the Islamophobia.
Do you realise this is a vicious cycle? You call Muslims unpatriotic unless they're proven to be otherwise, this questioning angers them and turns them against India, which in turn leads to step 1.
Why is it that we always ask just the Muslims to prove their patriotism? Let's ask the Christians, the Sikhs and the Hindus to prove their patriotism as well. The fact that you ask Muslims to prove their patriotism is indicative of the fact that you think India to be a Hindu country, and the Muslims to be immigrants/guests/visitors/outsiders.
Why is it that, at the slightest provocation by a small minority, we want them to go to Pakistan? What is the difference between this and white supremacists in Europe telling us brown people to go home?
And what does this terror attack, which has primarily killed Muslims, and Pakistanis at that, have to do with Islam or Pakistan?
I don't say that right-wing Hindu forces did it, its just as plausible that right-wing Islamic forces did it, or anybody else for that matter.
But I think people like Tabish are equally offensive and bigoted, and I don't deny that the things he has said about Hinduism and Hindus do not piss me off. He's just as bad as - if not worse than - the 'Go back to Pakistan, Muslims' brigade.
Ane even if the right-wing Islamists did it, when will we realise that right-wing Islam does not represent Indian muslims, and to look above religion?
RE:Take it easy on the Islamophobia
by Siddhu Warrier on Feb 23, 2007 06:07 PM Permalink
I apologise for a second post in succession. But there were a few points I thought I'd missed, that merit addition.
1. Stop calling Muslims and Islam all those names you feel like calling them.
2. People like Tabish, stop calling us Hindus followers of a false prophet or any other filthy phrase that comes to your mind. Respect and racism is a two-way street - Hindus have feelings too. Just as you feel angered by the fact that some Hindus say things about Islam, do realise that your petty, and often disgusting statements on us worshipping the 'Sun and the Moon' - made in a derogatory context - fuels the anger, and polarises society anymore.
I would never contemplate saying that the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) was a false prophet or anything, but then you should not insinuate that Hindus are in some way inferior to you, and your religion.
RE:RE:Take it easy on the Islamophobia
by M Tabish on Feb 24, 2007 03:35 AM Permalink
Hey Siddhu,
Like ur post and i conform to all the points u raised! As for the derogatory terms in my post (for ur religion) i apologize. It was the anger that juzz brimed out the top of my tolerance cup. That post was in responce to people like Sukhwinder Singhm, Amit Ananda and Pranav who, as u said in rur post always want MUSLIMS to PROVE theoir loyality to this nation and who try and reinforece the stereotypical beleif that Mulsims are voilent/terrorists.
These are the ppl who cant look beyond the NAMES! So u c talking sense with them wouldnt have workd!
N u too gotta admit that NOT many HINDUS (the VHP, SANG, SHiv Sena) share ur thoughts on Islam and Muslims. Hence the venomous words!
RE:RE:RE:Take it easy on the Islamophobia
by Siddhu Warrier on Feb 24, 2007 07:27 PM Permalink
Peace be upon you too, brother.
I accept the apology, and I do understand that there have been a few people here who have been blatantly abusive - but responding to them in kind brings everybody else down to their level.
Well, Tabish, from all the Hindus I know, there are very few who think like the Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena is not just anti-Muslim. They have been anti-South Indian in the past too; they use hate and the 'them and us' philosophy to get votes. It's just that, today, Muslims are the easy target, like South Indians in Bombay once were.
Yes, there are possibly many Hindus who hate Muslims in India. But I would assert confidently that the majority of Hindus are, in fact, tolerant people. If not, wouldn't the VHP or Shiv Sena be ruling this country, and wouldn't we be a 'Hindu Rashtra'? And to assume that most of us think like some of the right-wingers here would be to make the same mistake as those people do.
It is unfortunate that the extremist fringe, on both sides, is more vociferous than the liberal majority - a fact that is true of every place.
For instance, I have faced lots of racism in the time I am unfortunate enough to be forced to spend in Germany - some of which included even physical assault. But I resist (though it is highly tempting to generalise) the temptation of stating that most Germans are like that.
So, my statement would be that - not all Hindus are nice people, and the same holds true for any agglomeration of people. :)
