MUSLIMS & THE STRAIGHT PATH: Part - 1-B - Identity 'INDIANNESS'

Muslims & The Straight Path  [Published 2010]

Part - 1-B

Identity ‘INDIANNESS’

The first and foremost issue that we are faced today is the need to integrate and assimilate. Integration and assimilation must be followed by either ‘with’ or ‘into’ and thus have connotations which Muslims suspect. The question arises: “Integration or assimilation into or with whom?” Muslims would not like to integrate and assimilate with the Hindus; the only solution is that the Muslims integrate or assimilate into a third entity – “Indianness” – it would be perfect. But Indianness has not yet evolved.

The depth of present day Muslim mindset can be understood from the fact that till date no serious call has been made by any Muslim who matters for a need to integrate and assimilate with the Indian society. Apparently, the Muslims are content living in self-made ghettos, both physical and mental, and those Muslims who have tried to intermingle with the so-called ‘high society’ have done so at the cost of their religion and its core beliefs.

Unfortunately, the call for something similar to ‘Indianness’ given by RSS in the name of Hindutva was presented in the saffron garb of communalism and for deriving political benefits only. This may have consolidated the Hindu vote-bank to some extent but further brought the Muslims on defensive as they looked at it as an attempt to intrude into their identity.

Let us try to find what that identity is! The present concept of Muslim identity makes a Muslim lead an isolated life, far aloof from the intrusion of Hindus. He lives in a shell, claims to be speaking a different language, has different customs, prays in a language that he himself doesn’t understand, leave alone the Hindu folks, and has only a few points of contacts with the Hindus, which are not enough to bridge the feeling of aloofness and isolation.

It is time that the call for integration or assimilation should arise from within the Muslim community. How many Muslim clusters celebrate the Independence Day? Practically none! If certain Muslim institutions do celebrate Independence Day, it is mostly as a custom than a serious celebration. How many Muslim organizations and NGOs work for the community at large and not merely for Muslims? Such is the narrow minded approach that the Muslims, under their more narrow-minded muftis, have adopted towards religion.

Until this call for ‘Indianness’ arise from within the Muslim community and the Muslims are seen involved in the efforts towards nation building, the wedge created consequent to ‘divide and rule’ policy and politicized communalism won’t be filled.