The Muslim Mindset

The Muslim intellectuals have expressed their satisfaction over their meeting with Mr. Bhagwat as they were given a patient hearing and a goodwill gesture by the RSS chief, recently. Dr. P. C. Singh presents an analysis here.

The widely discussed and now debated issue of dialogue between the Muslim intellectuals and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat reflected upon the anguish of the minority over their treatment by the majority community and also Hindu’s long-held grudges against the other side. It would be repeating the point that former election commissioner Y.S. Quraishi, former Delhi LG Mr.Najeeb Jung, Zameer Uddin Shah, Shahid Siddiqui and Saeed Shervani met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. The Muslim intellectuals have expressed their satisfaction over their meeting with Mr. Bhagwat as they were given a patient hearing and a good will gesture by the RSS chief who, however, also hinted at his limitation in meeting the end.

The Muslims mind is extremely annoyed by their characterization as ‘Jihadis’, a demand raised by certain sections of asking the Muslims to go to Pakistan, unnecessarily demoralizing them by accusing them of rising population among them with the long time objective of dominating over Hindus in India and many more. The Muslim intellectuals also expressed their displeasure of being described as Hindu Muslims, instead they would prefer to be called the Indian Muslims. Representing the majority community Mr. Bhagwat made it quite clear to them that India is not in a mood to tolerate cow-slaughter, a view also advocated by Gandhi and the socialists in the country. Cow is a household name in India and part of Hindu culture and not merely a religious identity.

A number of people from both sides are not very optimistic about such kind of dialogue in a country like India which is highly polarized today between Hindus and Muslims. But the value of this fresh initiative lies in its efforts to take a call. At last, a new beginning has been made and until and unless it goes in vain give it a good hand.