VSK TN
Source: News Bharati English
Contradictory
reports have started pouring in with regard to a meeting between Muslim
Maulana and Rashtriya Swayamsevak (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar. The
meeting took place at Kanpur on the sidelines of the massive RSS camp
held there on February 15. Amongst other senior leaders RSS
Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohanrao Bhagwat was present at the camp and guided
the participants.
reports have started pouring in with regard to a meeting between Muslim
Maulana and Rashtriya Swayamsevak (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar. The
meeting took place at Kanpur on the sidelines of the massive RSS camp
held there on February 15. Amongst other senior leaders RSS
Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohanrao Bhagwat was present at the camp and guided
the participants.
The delegation of Muslim clerics was led by Sunni Ulema Council general secretary, Haji Mohammad Salees and included maulanas from Sunni sect of Islam.
The
leading newspapers and television channels reported this meeting in
their negative style showing the RSS in bad light. They maintained that
the RSS did not have satisfactory answers to the questions the Muslim
clerics posed to them during the meeting. The meeting took place at the residence of Kidwai Nagar BJP corporator Rita Shastri.
leading newspapers and television channels reported this meeting in
their negative style showing the RSS in bad light. They maintained that
the RSS did not have satisfactory answers to the questions the Muslim
clerics posed to them during the meeting. The meeting took place at the residence of Kidwai Nagar BJP corporator Rita Shastri.
According
to Haji Mohammad Salees they had sought time to meet RSS Chief Dr
Bhagwat who was camping at Kanpur in connection with the RSS camp.
Instead they were told to meet senior RSS leader and patron of Muslim
Rashtriya Manch (MRM) Indresh Kumar who was also in Kanpur that time.
to Haji Mohammad Salees they had sought time to meet RSS Chief Dr
Bhagwat who was camping at Kanpur in connection with the RSS camp.
Instead they were told to meet senior RSS leader and patron of Muslim
Rashtriya Manch (MRM) Indresh Kumar who was also in Kanpur that time.
During
the meeting the Muslim clerics posed certain questions to Indresh Kumar
which they had actually wanted to ask the RSS Chief Dr Bhagwat. The
questions were related to RSS’ opinion about Islam and the
organization’s expectations from Muslims in India. The meeting gathered
importance mostly against the background of recent controversies over
‘Ghar Vapasi’, ‘Hindu Rashtra’ and related terms.
the meeting the Muslim clerics posed certain questions to Indresh Kumar
which they had actually wanted to ask the RSS Chief Dr Bhagwat. The
questions were related to RSS’ opinion about Islam and the
organization’s expectations from Muslims in India. The meeting gathered
importance mostly against the background of recent controversies over
‘Ghar Vapasi’, ‘Hindu Rashtra’ and related terms.
Salees
said that they told Indresh Kumar that ‘anti-Muslim comments’ by some
RSS leaders and other Hindu organizations hurt the unity and integrity
of India. “The Muslims are integral part of India and we all should
strive to unite the country, Salees stated.
said that they told Indresh Kumar that ‘anti-Muslim comments’ by some
RSS leaders and other Hindu organizations hurt the unity and integrity
of India. “The Muslims are integral part of India and we all should
strive to unite the country, Salees stated.
However, Haji Mohammad Salees alleged that Indresh Kumar did not answer to their questions.
The Economic Times carried the news with a heading “Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat snubs Muslims clerics?”
Surprisingly, the report did not carry any impression of Bhagwat
‘snubbing’ the Muslim clerics. It only said that some Muslim clerics
sought time to meet the RSS chief who was in city to attend a 20000
strong volunteer camp. The RSS Chief ‘did not respond’ to their request,
the report said.
Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat snubs Muslims clerics?”
Surprisingly, the report did not carry any impression of Bhagwat
‘snubbing’ the Muslim clerics. It only said that some Muslim clerics
sought time to meet the RSS chief who was in city to attend a 20000
strong volunteer camp. The RSS Chief ‘did not respond’ to their request,
the report said.
Zee
News reported a different story. Its report said that the Muslim
delegation claimed that Indresh Kumar did not answer their queries and
asked them to convene a larger Muslim congregation where he would
satisfy all their queries.
News reported a different story. Its report said that the Muslim
delegation claimed that Indresh Kumar did not answer their queries and
asked them to convene a larger Muslim congregation where he would
satisfy all their queries.
Similar
reporting appeared in almost all the media channels and newspapers
highlighting the “failure” of the RSS leadership to satisfy the queries
of the Muslim clerics who had “volunteered” to seek dialogue in order to
“improve” the communal harmony between the two communities of India.
reporting appeared in almost all the media channels and newspapers
highlighting the “failure” of the RSS leadership to satisfy the queries
of the Muslim clerics who had “volunteered” to seek dialogue in order to
“improve” the communal harmony between the two communities of India.
The media also highlighted the six questions that the Muslim delegation posed to the RSS leadership. These questions were:
- 1.Whether the RSS accepts India as a Hindu country?
- 2.Whether the RSS has formulated any plans to make India Hindu Rashtra?
- 3.Whether this Hindu Rashtra will be governed as per the Hindu scriptures or the RSS has designed any system of governance?
- 4.What is the RSS view on religious conversions?
- 5.What type of love for motherland RSS expects from the Muslims?, and
- 6.How does the RSS view Islam?
Haji
Mohammad Salees claimed that Indresh Kumar ‘failed’ to satisfy these
six queries raised by them during the meeting. He even expressed doubts
on temple entry to Dalits once the “Hindu Rashtra’ was governed by the
scriptures.
Mohammad Salees claimed that Indresh Kumar ‘failed’ to satisfy these
six queries raised by them during the meeting. He even expressed doubts
on temple entry to Dalits once the “Hindu Rashtra’ was governed by the
scriptures.
Haji
Salees also justified not singing ‘Vande Mataram’ and participating in
‘Bharatmata Pujan’ as both are against the tenets of Islam.
Salees also justified not singing ‘Vande Mataram’ and participating in
‘Bharatmata Pujan’ as both are against the tenets of Islam.
Another
Muslim cleric Shahar Kazi Alam Raza Noori pooh-poohed this meeting
saying that there was no use meeting Indresh Kumar. He wanted to seek
answers directly from the RSS chief and not his emissary. He said that
he had earlier met Indresh Kumar but was not satisfied with his
arguments.
Muslim cleric Shahar Kazi Alam Raza Noori pooh-poohed this meeting
saying that there was no use meeting Indresh Kumar. He wanted to seek
answers directly from the RSS chief and not his emissary. He said that
he had earlier met Indresh Kumar but was not satisfied with his
arguments.
This
‘one-sided’ reporting carried the impression prima facie that the RSS
was not interested in taking the Muslims along in its concept of Hindu
Rashtra. It also raised bouts over the ‘seriousness’ of RSS’ efforts to
bring different religious communities closer on the plank of
nationalism.
‘one-sided’ reporting carried the impression prima facie that the RSS
was not interested in taking the Muslims along in its concept of Hindu
Rashtra. It also raised bouts over the ‘seriousness’ of RSS’ efforts to
bring different religious communities closer on the plank of
nationalism.
No
media organization dared to ask the Muslim delegation as whom they
represented in Islam because there are 73 sects and sub-sects in Islam.
Whether representatives from all these 73 sects and sub-sects were
included in their delegation?
media organization dared to ask the Muslim delegation as whom they
represented in Islam because there are 73 sects and sub-sects in Islam.
Whether representatives from all these 73 sects and sub-sects were
included in their delegation?
This
seems to be clear case of some disgruntled Muslim clerics and
anti-Hindu media as they did not like that these two major communities
come together on the plank of nationalism and contribute to making India
a world leader.
seems to be clear case of some disgruntled Muslim clerics and
anti-Hindu media as they did not like that these two major communities
come together on the plank of nationalism and contribute to making India
a world leader.
Indresh
Kumar had told the visiting delegation very clearly that he would not
answer their question in a closed door meeting. Instead, he asked them
to convene a larger congregation of Muslims of all hues in Islam and
then seek explanation from him to their queries. He would be glad to
respond to their questions.
Kumar had told the visiting delegation very clearly that he would not
answer their question in a closed door meeting. Instead, he asked them
to convene a larger congregation of Muslims of all hues in Islam and
then seek explanation from him to their queries. He would be glad to
respond to their questions.
What
made Maulana Haji Salees not to accept this challenge? What was he
worried of? Was he afraid of getting exposed in the community? The
answer to all these questions lies in this dichotomy of Muslim clerics.
made Maulana Haji Salees not to accept this challenge? What was he
worried of? Was he afraid of getting exposed in the community? The
answer to all these questions lies in this dichotomy of Muslim clerics.
Indresh
Kumar has been the guiding light of the new beginning of Hindu-Muslim
unity since last two and half decades. He had interacted with lakhs of
Muslims with his clear thoughts and authority over Islam. No Muslim
worth the salt has ever contradicted him on the issues he had raised in
his dialogues and discourses and interactions with cross sections of the
Muslim community.
Kumar has been the guiding light of the new beginning of Hindu-Muslim
unity since last two and half decades. He had interacted with lakhs of
Muslims with his clear thoughts and authority over Islam. No Muslim
worth the salt has ever contradicted him on the issues he had raised in
his dialogues and discourses and interactions with cross sections of the
Muslim community.
On
the contrary the Maulana is a representative of a particular sect in
Islam. He might be having a following of say, 500, 1000, or 10,000. But
Indresh Kumar has a following of millions and millions of Hindus and
Muslims both.
the contrary the Maulana is a representative of a particular sect in
Islam. He might be having a following of say, 500, 1000, or 10,000. But
Indresh Kumar has a following of millions and millions of Hindus and
Muslims both.
He should have accepted the challenge of Indresh Kumar for a open debate. Why is he running now?
The
problem with the Muslim society in India is that they were never told
the facts in very simple and plain language. The RSS has been of the
view that 99.99 per cent Muslims and Christians in India are original
Hindus converted to these Semitic religions some hundreds of years ago
due to certain social, political and / or economic compulsions. But they
share the same ancestors, same culture and same motherland with the
Hindus. Same blood flows in their veins as that of Hindus. It has been
the politics that kept them divided under the guise of minorityism. But
the rulers did not care for their development. Nor did their own
religious leaders ever cared for the same.
problem with the Muslim society in India is that they were never told
the facts in very simple and plain language. The RSS has been of the
view that 99.99 per cent Muslims and Christians in India are original
Hindus converted to these Semitic religions some hundreds of years ago
due to certain social, political and / or economic compulsions. But they
share the same ancestors, same culture and same motherland with the
Hindus. Same blood flows in their veins as that of Hindus. It has been
the politics that kept them divided under the guise of minorityism. But
the rulers did not care for their development. Nor did their own
religious leaders ever cared for the same.
The
RSS leaders like former Sarsanghchalaks the late Balasaheb Devras and
Sudarshan had initiated the sincere efforts to bridge the gap between
the two communities. Now Indresh Kumar has assumed this responsibility
and succeeded in spreading a very positive message of nationalism among
the Muslims of India in the past 25 years. The results of this positive
approach were visible in the recently held elections in India.
RSS leaders like former Sarsanghchalaks the late Balasaheb Devras and
Sudarshan had initiated the sincere efforts to bridge the gap between
the two communities. Now Indresh Kumar has assumed this responsibility
and succeeded in spreading a very positive message of nationalism among
the Muslims of India in the past 25 years. The results of this positive
approach were visible in the recently held elections in India.
As
regards the propaganda about RSS’ concept of Hindu Rashtra there
appears to be a systematic vilification campaign unleashed by the media
and self-styled secular leaders. The RSS has been saying from day one
that India belonged to Hindus and that it was, is and it will be a Hindu
Rashtra so long as one Hindu lived here. This was the stated position
of RSS founder Dr K B Hedgewar in 1925. There is no change in this
position.
regards the propaganda about RSS’ concept of Hindu Rashtra there
appears to be a systematic vilification campaign unleashed by the media
and self-styled secular leaders. The RSS has been saying from day one
that India belonged to Hindus and that it was, is and it will be a Hindu
Rashtra so long as one Hindu lived here. This was the stated position
of RSS founder Dr K B Hedgewar in 1925. There is no change in this
position.
But
the RSS has also been saying that change in religion does not imply
change in culture, ancestors and loyalty towards motherland which has
been the most common phenomenon associated with religious conversions in
India through the ages. The RSS wanted to blast this myth. Prime
Minster Narendra Modi had vouched on the freedom of religious pursuits
of individuals but that choice and freedom should not be construed as
change in nationality or shift in loyalty to the motherland.
the RSS has also been saying that change in religion does not imply
change in culture, ancestors and loyalty towards motherland which has
been the most common phenomenon associated with religious conversions in
India through the ages. The RSS wanted to blast this myth. Prime
Minster Narendra Modi had vouched on the freedom of religious pursuits
of individuals but that choice and freedom should not be construed as
change in nationality or shift in loyalty to the motherland.
Similarly,
the RSS has clarified that its concept of Hindu Rashtra does not imply a
notion of a theocratic state like Islamic states based on Sharia law.
What is happening in these theocratic states should be an eye opener for
the Muslim clerics who raised this question. India is secular because
it has a majority of Hindus. The day this majority is reduced, the
guarantee for secularism, socialism and democracy will be forfeited. The
Maulana and his tribe should do well to keep this reality in mind
before doubting the Hindu Rashtra concept of RSS.
the RSS has clarified that its concept of Hindu Rashtra does not imply a
notion of a theocratic state like Islamic states based on Sharia law.
What is happening in these theocratic states should be an eye opener for
the Muslim clerics who raised this question. India is secular because
it has a majority of Hindus. The day this majority is reduced, the
guarantee for secularism, socialism and democracy will be forfeited. The
Maulana and his tribe should do well to keep this reality in mind
before doubting the Hindu Rashtra concept of RSS.
From
this point of view the opposition of Muslims to ‘Vande Mataram’ and
worshipping Bharatmata need to be viewed. Islam talks of ‘Vatan Parasti’
i.e. loyalty to motherland or ‘madar-e-vatan’. Vande Mataram is nothing
but a song in praise of Mother India. Why should a true follower of
Islam have any objection to singing praises to ‘Madar-e-Vatan’? Does the
Maulana have answer to this?
this point of view the opposition of Muslims to ‘Vande Mataram’ and
worshipping Bharatmata need to be viewed. Islam talks of ‘Vatan Parasti’
i.e. loyalty to motherland or ‘madar-e-vatan’. Vande Mataram is nothing
but a song in praise of Mother India. Why should a true follower of
Islam have any objection to singing praises to ‘Madar-e-Vatan’? Does the
Maulana have answer to this?
This
is the reality. One cannot smother this reality by simply raising
doubts on these sincere and honest efforts. These attempts will prove
like a mirage only.
is the reality. One cannot smother this reality by simply raising
doubts on these sincere and honest efforts. These attempts will prove
like a mirage only.