Author: Syed Ali Haisum Bukhari 
In the past, fewevil-minded journalists / researchers & cartoonists endured for blasphemy acts but not only their life were confined rather their respective countries suffered diplomatic & eco repercussions besides damaging bilateral relations with Muslim Ummah.The recent blasphemy act committed by BJP leader Mr. Naveen Kumar Jindal andNurpur Sharma bothspokespersons of BharityaJanta Party (BJP) – ruling party of India,is not mere a coincidence rather a planned game to seek pulse of Indian Muslims and Muslim countries across the globe.
Their acts were so painful that reaction surfaced across the globe in term of strong protests through print, electronic and social media as well as protest march demanding legal actions against the so called BJP tycoons. Muslim countries including Qatar, Kuwait, Saudia Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey and many others summoned the Indian envoys and conveyed their deep concern. The organization of Islamic corporation (OIC) and the international union of Muslim scholars also denounced the comments. Ironically, Indian foreign ministry spokesman Mr. ArindamBagchi defended the culprits and rejected the OIC statement expressing as unwarranted and a narrow minded approach. I wish that India should have accorded the highest respect to all religions rather than focusing on Hinduism.
In fact, these statements uttered by BJP leaders were not hypothetical rather it came amid an escalation of hatred and abuse of Islam in India and reflected systematic practices against Muslims and restrictions on them, such as several bans against headscarves in education institution, demolishing of Muslim properties / houses and increase in violence against Muslims. Astonishingly, Indian ministry of external affairs also responded negatively against the views of Muslim countries.
The world has been witnessed to the systematic persecution of minorities Muslims, Dalit, Advisasis, Scheduled Casts, Scheduled Tribes, Christians and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). World over, majority of countries have agreed that Indian should accord the highest respect to all religions. India should focus on the safety, security and well-being of its minorities, communities instead of engaging in alarmist propaganda and attempting to foment communal disharmony in India for pursuing their Hindutva ideology. The absurdity of serial violator of minority rights in India is now an open secret. I urge, UNO, OIC, global and regional powers to take a practical step against India rather than giving a lip service for such violation against the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Fear of unknown prevails in the heart and minds of Indian ruling elites and policy making bodies. They contemplate that as Muslim ruled subcontinent for centuries and perhaps after Ghazwa-e-Hind, again Muslims will become dominated and ruler in India. Therefore, there is a hue and cry in India that the Muslim population in India may outnumber the current Hindu majority before long. The fanatic Hindus speculate that Islam, unlike the Hinduism, allows blessing of many children. As such, a Muslim household is likely to have more siblings than a Hindu. Hence, the BJP wants to enforce a uniform Civil Code that controls the population / children.
It is highlighted that not all the projections about the phenomenal growth of the Muslim population may be correct, as the Muslim population in India has always been under-represented in the Lok Sabha. Few Research Center estimated that there were 195 million Muslims in 2015. By 2060, few estimates, there will be more Muslims in India than anywhere else in the world.
Though, it was an attempt of BJP to seek pulse and response of Muslim community in India whom they thought have been paralyzed but the Muslims reaction was beyond expectation of BJP government. Various protests were taken out throughout India in honor of Holy Prophet (PBUH) and condemned Mr. Naveen Kumar Jindal and NurpurSharma’s shameful acts.The protest of Bombay was historical power show of the Indian Muslims which reflects their zeal, vigor and strength to face and counter Indian aggression.After Bombay, a massive rally of Muslims in Bareilly also exhibited a historical show forcing India to think that Indian Muslims are still alive and can sacrifice their lives in honor of their Prophet. Astonishingly, statements of BJP spokesperson turned as a trigger events which they could not apprehend and now getting pessimistic and delinking from the state.
To counter the reaction of Muslim community in India, across the globe and the world power, India resorted demolishing the properties and houses of Muslims leaders who participated in the protest. In fact BJP is clearly breeding violence and hatred through such acts. So a dream of Hindu rashtra at the expense of millions of Muslims is in fact a distant dream, uphill task and endures which will split India on linguistic and religious bases into five parts, unless it timely mend its ways.
BJP stalwarts paradoxically believe that every voice that highlights the plight of Indian Muslim is muffled and silenced through intimidation and state terrorism but it is considered to be a buffoon actuation. Still it is time for the BJP government to focus on religious harmony and poverty elevation for the welfare of the people, rather than turning the Indian state as a warzone. India should notice that even the non-Muslims have also joined Muslim protestors across the globe exhibiting their solidarity with the oppressed Muslim community in India. India is only Hindu state across the globe with 95% of the total population of the Hindu population in the world. Whereas, there are 57 countries. So, if Muslim country declare social boycott, ceasing of diplomatic relations and trade with India, non from India will encourage even thinking of blasphemy. Therefore, once again, I request to Indian leadership to think visionary and focus to extend the highest respect to all religions rather than pursuing Hindutva ideology which will harm the India as a state.
Author: Syed Ali Haisum Bukhari is student of Defense and Strategic Studies at Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. A research fellow at Pakistan House think tank and Muslim Institute. For feedback email at alihaisum.2000@gmail.com
