Expressing concern over recent spate of violence in several states over derogatory remarks by suspended BJP leaders Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal against a community, Jamia Millia Islamia Professor Akhtarul Wasey on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence over the matter.
Wassey, the Professor Emeritus (Islamic Studies) at the premiere Delhi varsity, said Modi must speak out to discourage people from further indulging in communal activities.
He requested the Prime Minister to initiate a ‘dialogue’ with various stakeholders from the Muslim community in view of the present situation.
“The PM does not represent a particular religion or community. He is the PM of the country. He should break his silence and discourage those indulging in such activities (derogatory remarks against a community),” Wasey, who has penned an open letter to Modi in this regard, told UNI.
Referring to the incidents of violence, he categorically said, “Violence in any form, from any side is not in the interest of the country. It will hamper the development and progress of the country.
“I request the PM to invite the Muslims for a positive and active dialogue so that they can express their grief to him. Through this bilateral dialogue, PM can take India to new heights of peaceful coexistence, internal stability and construction and development. The ‘differences’ must stop.”
Wasey said: “For this dialogue, the PM can invite Muslim MPs, leaders of all Muslim organisations, Muslim intellectuals, important people of civil society and eminent Muslim journalists. This will be an initiative that will create better prospects for a better future.”
On action taken by the ruling BJP against Sharma and Jindal, Wasey said, “The suspension of the spokesperson (Sharma) and the dismissal of the spokesperson of the Delhi branch (Jindal) for insulting the Prophet must have taken place at the behest of PM which was the right step. We fully support it.”
He, however, said those opposing their remarks should not be put behind bars.
“We are not in favor of any kind of violent behavior, demands and extremism against any person. But, it should not so happen that those who use their democratic right to oppose them (Sharma and Jindal) be put behind bars. This ‘unjust’ behaviour is creating uneasiness among the minorities, especially the Muslims,” Wasey said.
In his open letter, Wasey wrote, “We are not happy about this situation. As Indians, we want our country not to be discredited, at the same time we want our religious pluralism to be respected. Let no religion, its scholars and holy books be insulted in any way.”
He also claimed that incidents such as changing the names of cities, trying to change history, and to deprive Muslim girls of education in the name of hijab (veiling) are creating discontent among the community.
UNI
