Kapil Sibal made a private visit to Mumbai to talk to a gathering of around 200 Muslims. It was an honest attempt to understand why Muslims are feeling so insecure, ignored and alienated. In the gathering were two maulanas. When it was their turn to speak, both broke down, cried like children and could not continue. On September 18, the Mumbai edition of only one national daily published a picture showing minister for minorities affairs A R Antulay crying, with Sibal and another Union minister, Ram Vilas Paswan, trying to console him. The caption did not say why the minister, a Muslim, was crying. Why do you think he was crying, liberal Indian? (Hey, you liberal-Subverse-Opinion-The Times of India).
Javedbhai ...
While you are busy accusing the media of selective amnesia, there are 4 aspects of Indian system which you are either ignorant of or possibly you suffer from amnesia yourself! Either be specific as this article is, which shows cases where the system has failed - or if you are being general, some balance is essential.
- India has the lowest prison population in the world - bar none. At 250,000-350,00o for a population of 110 crores, it is remarkable achievement in crime management. Why not talk about this?
- India has also the lowest police-to-population ratio in the world. So, India does not qualify for being a 'police state' either. No go!
- Just like Muslims are being detained 'illegally' by the police, so are 'Hindu' naxalites and Christian 'extremists' in North East. So this does not wash either.
- India has the largest Muslim minority in the world - and in fact the 3rd largest Muslim population in the world. Unlike many other countries of the world, the Muslim population in India is increasing. So, no Muslim pogroms! Bad luck, Brother Javed!
Causes and Effects
Now MJ Akbar (reportedly) pointed out the 'probable' problem - the 'loss of Muslim leadership', from emigration to Pakistan and the West. From being the 'rulers of Hindustan', if Muslims are asking for reservations, it is misplaced sense of victimhood being fanned by a 'motivated' and ineffective leadership.
The Indian Dalits are an excellent role model - for all minorities. From being at the bottom of the ladder (possibly due to colonial perversions in Indian society), I am looking forward to the Mayawati becoming the Prime Minister of India. In another few years, we will see no need for any reservations - unless, some minorities decide to stake a claim for benefits that were earlier meant for the Dalits. In the new Bombay Parsi Panchayat elections, some candidates have promised that they will 'fight with the Government' for reservations for the Parsi community.
Another set of role models are the Bollywood Khans. Gone are the days, when Yusufbhai had to become Dilip Kumar to succeed. Now (possibly) the Kapoors and Kumars are wanting to become Khans. Salman Khan in a recent interview said that due to his prosecution in the poaching case, possibly, the Chinkara (Black Buck) has made a come back in the wilds of Rajasthan. Salman did not lay down and die - or start crying like the 'sobbing maulanas' and you are! He did not allege that the 'Hindu' state was out to get him!
Some faith and more हरकत ('harkat') can do wonders, Javedbhai. There is nothing wrong with India.
Find something real or someone else to blame, Javedbhai!