I am writing this column with the title ‘ It’s not easy being a Muslim in India ‘ with a heavy heart. Because Our Dargahs and Masjids are being targeted under a well-thought conspiracy. Earlier, I believed that there was no better place for Muslims than India. However, I am beginning to lose faith in this idea. Muslims were being victimized, and their masjids and Dargahs were targeted under a well-planned conspiracy, despite the country being secular as per the Constitution.
Every other day, a mosque is under the scanner of the so-called Fanatic Hindu activists and TV cameras. Protection of places of worship Act 1991 clearly stated that no such controversy will be raised in any place of worship except the Babri Masjid, which has been in existence since 1997.
After the verdict of the Supreme Court in favor of the Ram Temple based on the religious belief of the majority, there was a campaign for Kashi and Mathura. Leader after leader has said these three and no more. Now there’s Sambhal. Five Muslims were killed in Sambhal on November 24, 2024, after Uttar Pradesh Police fired on locals protesting the survey of Shahi Jama Masjid. Tensions erupted after locals resisted the court-ordered survey.Tensions erupted after locals resisted the court-ordered survey team, who were accompanied by a Hindutva mob chanting “Jai Shri Ram,” leading to clashes with the police.
The killed were identified as Naeem (28), Mohd Bilal Ansari (25), Noman, Ayaan, and Mohd Kaif (17). Family members of the deceased alleged that their kin were killed in police firing. The killings have sparked outrage in the region.The survey followed a court order based on a complaint by Hindutva groups alleging that the Mughals demolished a temple to build the historic mosque. Members of a Hindutva group accompanied the survey team, locals told Maktoob Media ( November 24, 2024 ).
Taking to the media, Acharya Pramod Krishnam said that earlier, it was Harihar Masjid in place of Shambhal masjid. Noted Islamic Scholar, author, and Senior lecturer of Indian philosophy in Darul Uloom Deoband Moulana Abdul Hameed Noumani challenges Acharya Pramod Krishnam and says there is no evidence of a Harihar Masjid in place of Shambhal Masjid in any historical and religious books. Moulana Noumani explained this in very detail in his weekly column of the daily Urdu Inquilab ( December 2, 2024 ).
Addressing the event organized by the VHP in the library hall of the Allahabad High Court on December 8, 2024, Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav made strong remarks that India would function only as per the wishes of the “majority,” referring to the Hindu community in the country.The judiciary’s role is to uphold justice and unify all sections of society, not to promote divisive rhetoric, but Justice Yadav’s comments have tarnished the credibility and impartiality of the judiciary.On December 15, 2024, Law expert Faizan Mustafa wrote in Indian Express that another judge of Meghalaya High Court, Justice S R Sen, said in 2018 that India ought to have been declared a Hindu nation.
The judiciary’s Role is to protect the Constitution and the rights of all citizens, but these judges are trying to damage the institution’s credibility and neutrality.
Unfortunately, India’s law order treats Muslims stepmotherly. Especially in Uttar Pradesh Muslims. On December 14, 2024, Maktoob Media reported that an Imam of a mosque in the Uttar Pradesh village was fined Rs 2 lakh for allegedly using a loudspeaker at a high volume. The incident took place in the Anar Wali Masjid in the Kot Garvi area. Talking to Roznama Khabre, Noted Islamic Scholar Moulana Abdul Hameed Noumani, said in his recent comment that India has been the cradle of different religions and civilizations for centuries, and peace, unity, and tolerance have been its bright tradition. But now some powers are trying to end this centuries-old tradition. They value their political interests and power more than peace and unity. This is the reason why the seeds of hatred are being sown in the fertile land of peace and brotherhood by raising new religious issues day by day.
My concern is the same as what Moulana Arshad Madni of Jamiat Ulema Hind said in his recent comment: There is now a conspiracy to break the social fabric that holds all the people living in this country together. This is such a thread which, God willing, if broken, will not only be a great loss for our centuries-old civilization but will also put the country on the path of destruction from which it will not be easy to return.
Affan Nomani is a senior Lecturer, Research Scholar, and author of comprehensive physical science, and associated with SERF India. The views and opinions expressed in the article is solely that of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Millat Times.
