Watch Tower: A nationalist Muslim
Who is a Nationalist Muslim? Can we present a comprehensive definition? I am afraid even working definition would be very difficult to give. Indeed it will be difficult to define a "Muslim". It will be almost impossible to give a definition that will cover Muslims all over the World. If we ask OSAMA BIN LADEN and MULLAH UMAR they will solemnly declare that only those associated with AL KAYADA and TALIBAN are the true believers. The Rest are Muslims only in name. In the Indian Context can we say that all Muslims living in India are ipso facto Nationalist Muslim? It will be better, we study the relevant case law before we arrive at any conclusion. It will be useful to start from the pre-independence days. While he had been holding talks with Jinnah in July-Oct. 1994 "Gandhi had observed undoubtedly a Nationalist Muslim represents the nation, but he represents the Muslims also who are part of the nation. He would be guilty of disloyalty if he sacrifices the Muslim interests. But my nationalism has taught me that I would be guilty of disloyalty if I sacrifice the interest of a Single India". (Gandhi-Jinnah Talks P-46). Mahatma Gandhi knew that the Hindu Community worshipped him. Did he also realize that in the above observation he had given separate definitions of nationalism for the Hindus and the Muslims ? Incidentally Jinnah had started his political career as a "NATIONALIST MUSLIM" but ended up by becoming. The founder of Pakistan, a separate nation for the Muslim on the Indian sub continent. In the turbulent pre-partitions days, Sardar Patel had come to believe that Nehru was the only "NATIONALIST MUSLIM" in India. If we are to believe DURGADA, a Senior Journalist of those days Sardar Patel expressed the above belief repeatedly in those fateful days. Durgadas has recorded this in his book from Curzon to Nehru and afterwards (P-240). How serious was Sardar Patel in his comments? Mr. Rajmohan Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and C. Raj Gopalachari believes it was only banter. It could be debatable. It is very difficult to imaging the Iron Man of India indulging in banter. Such a thing did not suit his personality. The observation was no doubt full of bitter sarcasm, but it is difficult to read banter in it. However, it appears that Nehru accepted this comment of his arch political rival as a special compliment (albeit Left-handed) and went all out to prove it. As a true disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and as also his political heir Nehru realized that as a "NATIONALIST MUSLIM" his first and foremost duty was to safeguard interests of those Muslims who were left behind in India after partition. He openly became their sole protector. Did this really serve the interest of Muslims in India? Veteran Congress Leader and Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh the Late Pt. Dwarika Prasad Mishra writes 'By constituting himself as the sole protector of Muslims he (Nehru) not only hampered national integration but also harmed long term interests of the Muslim Community (Living an Era Vol-II). But they did not seem to worry Nehru. He wanted a Muslim Vote Bank and he got it not only for himself but for his dynasty. The Dynasty continued to pamper the Muslims in India, not allowing them to come out of their shells and breathe freely. The pre-partition psyche of the real or supposed fear of the Hindu majority was not only allowed to continue but was positively encouraged to ensure block votes. This had helped the British to hold on to India for a long time. This was the essence of the notorious DIVIDE AND RULE GAME. Nehru and his party not only inherited power from the British but also inherited the spirit of the Divide and Rule Game. MC Chagla, the legal luminary turned politician from Mumbai writes "The secularism that we profess to practice is not in accordance with the tenets of Gandhi ji but more akin to the communal policy of the British Government" (Mahatma Gandhi 100 years p. 33). It is therefore no wonder that the Congress Party and its Muslim leaders clamour for a free pardon to a traitor who insulted the entire Indian Nation by attacking our parliament. Threats of serious Muslim reaction are advanced in support of the plea for pardon. It is high time Muslim in India realize that their interest and national interest have got to be the two sides of the same coin. While their religious freedom is always safe in India they will be playing a dangerous game if they mix religion with politics. They should desist from it. In short they should become Nationalist Muslims in the truest sense of the expression. Prof YG Bhave <http://www.centralchronicle.com/20071109/0911304.htm> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. 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