How fascism comes under the garb of nationalism: Inflaming passions through propaganda, claims about 'insecurity' among natives

By Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

A woman tells a story about her child in a class that has students from other backgrounds too. She made it sound emotional and even 'scary'.

Definitely, no kid should feel lonely or hurt. No one should feel offended by others' culture. Acceptance is needed. But I will explain how propaganda is used, lies are relayed, sentimental appeals are made and hateful propaganda is brought under the garb of 'patriotism' and the 'emotional' link is added to turn it more palatable.

Let me explain that how fascism comes wrapped in wild conspiracy theories. Even if a place is 95% white, they can claim to be 'turning into minority'. It's your right to accept or not accept others. But once anyone gets obsessed with the thought of looking at fellow humans as 'them' and 'outsiders', bigotry forces them to make any claim and sound so sweet and innocent but inner soul consumed by hate. Even if 1% outsiders come, you can believe that it is 18%. Yes, it happens, because of manic obsession. Then, there is another issue. Those 1% will come and stay in a part and that part will be labelled as 'ghetto' by your xenophobic media that always does it this way. Such fears and panic spread and no amount of data or clarity, will ever clean the minds that get dirtied or bitten by this 'us versus them' bug. It is natural that in a few schools and colleges, there would be more immigrants or outsiders. But everyone is always a minority in one sense or the other. Country, ethnicity, religion, race, gender and so many other things are involved here. You try to sound passionate and helpless but it's basically hatred that comes out in this form. Right-wing cleverly does it, specialists at it. We are all humans. If you guys want to take this route, be clear, just stay as an island. Discrimination with own species on own planet. How mean and petty! Out of 1,00,000 if 3,000 are 'different', they will be naturally stay somewhere. If you can't bear the sight of a person of different race or feel that there is an invasion, clearly say that you don't like humans who come to this land that you got registered from God and decided to drop here, with the decision to be here, forever. There is a difference between 'not wanting to hear' or 'getting irked because you don't want anyone else'. It's a cunning style and talk of 'my kid or family' not feeling comfortable, because 'other kids and families who have come here', is a crude way that is aimed more to gain sympathy and create scare This actually aims to rouse your feelings and fears. Any complaint must be redressed. There is bullying too, white kids bully whites, browns too do it to their own race and blacks too do it. It is human behaviour. Complaints are made, and there must be immediate action. But open discrimination, anger over presence of the 'other' and deep seated prejudices, the worldview that makes you feel superior and others as unworthy to be around you, is sickening. It happens again and again. Even within one country, it is possible on linguistic or ethnic, religious or regional basis. If you give a race or outsider angle, it is just a soft cushion you adjust behind your back, ready to shoot your inner biases at the other. You don't need to believe me, but fact is that world doesn't function in this way. People who burning with hatred, they and their societies disappear, very fast, because they feel they are entitled to not just own lives but also entire environment, city, sky, streets, world around them, as a CONSTANT, never changing and always remaining same as per their whims. A white serial killer becomes 'disturbed' and immediately after crime, reports appear that he suffered from childhood trauma due to 'parents separation' or any such issue, or even his 'loneliness', all attemps are made in media that he would be humanized and shown as 'just like us' and 'how could he be bad', as 'bad' is always the 'other'. If 'our' guy commits an act, then he is 'from our race', 'our own' and its like family, because if we consider him 'opponent', we'd have to accept that our people can be bad too. No, that would make us own up that our society too has bad apples. Now blame the rest and term them 'outsiders' and put all your own failings in life, all reasons, all blame on rest--issue solved. After all, it's easy to believe that we are angels and we never commit any crime & it's always the other who is at fault. In fact, all the countries engaged in war or colonizing or robbing or sending soldiers to committing massacres in other countries, was just aimed at 'civilizing' (sic) them, and World Wars were fought because you guys were all so simple, naive and civilized, and somewhere read that 'others' fight, so you learnt to fight and killed millions in process. Your eyes, heart and ears are hurt by 'others', you are full of yourself and sorry, there is no solution. In fact, I really like the way you people act. Keep walking this path and make your race safe, keep your land and yourself, amazing and extraordinary. Media loves it, politicians too know this system against 'them' helps as it turns out the worst and most passionate anger from 'locals' who get 'worried about own existence', buy these badly educated inhuman persons' theories, feel they are better than rest, turn hateful and this never stops. Everyone has a brain and they are entitled to nasty thoughts too. They have freedom to choose and world history tells us, what happens to people who have contempt for fellow humans, but present it so 'innocently' as you did. Completely insulating self is also an idea. The best way is to openly accept own prejudiced views, say that you are uncomfortable with 'others' and that there is no need to hide feelings.Tell people that you hate other humans and there won't be any need to work hard to sound noble even as being evil or circuitously reaching this point. 'Blame the vulnerable' and branding the real vulnerable or outsider as a threat, spreading rumours, demonizing them, terming the outsider as an enemy or alien (sic) as if they are coming to get your resources, is shameful. Conceal own petty thoughts and appear as custodian of all great humane values! All is crystal clear now. Racists can't fool everyone, all the time.

Media war against Muslims: How TV channels fuel Islamophobia that is affecting, endangering lives of Muslims in India

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

Imagine, it's the month of fasting that is all set to begin and the things Muslims are most worried about.

'30 days, 3 lakh mosques, anything at even one place, real, exaggerated or cooked up and the madmen on TV can give a twist, almost hold each Muslim accountable for an incident in which a Muslim has been accused, and make every person in India, believe that it is 'they' who are responsible.

World is not perfect, one or two mistakes bound to happen. But when there are dozens of attacks on doctors but one incident where a Muslim gets in conflict with health workers, is run 24/7 and shown as 'Muslims attack...', with a focus on religious identity while the others are either ignored or generalized with headlines like 'Villagers attack' or 'People attack' in brief in paper, what's the result?

It seems that giving religious twist is the sole agenda now. If there is a case of minor girls' rape, the ticker merely says it but if a man killed an animal [real news] and he is Muslim, then his name is instantly flashed and its lead story, also in headline in print.

It is sometimes deliberate, due to existing biases, growing indoctrination, because of newsroom composition (fewer Muslims) and also because of the prevailing trend. When dozen-odd channels scream nonstop, papers too carry it on front pages and put everyone of you responsible for someone's act, make you guilty, unlike other scenario when person alone responsible for his act

It is this sort of coverage, this extreme bigotry and communalism that leads to persecution. One man has brush with law and is booked under NSA, others merely booked under bailable section 323 of IPC. And every such incident used to fuel Islamophobia even in the times of Coronavirus.

This is the way the entire community is 'otherised', made a target of hate and social discrimination. In rural areas or small towns with fewer Muslim population it becomes even more difficult. There are 'boycott' calls on social media, Muslims vendors or sellers told to leave in different cities like Mumbai, Mahoba and Delhi, and even handcarts selling vegetables recently get Saffron flags attached for identification, and a lot more.

The affects are devastating. Imagine, a young man, Dilshad, who had not even tested positive, but was ridiculed (just because he was associated with Tablighi Jamat), so much that he committed suicide. Financial dependence, emotional issues, not everyone can bear it. Case of Muslim Gujjars, people not buying milk..

The recent incident of 35 Muslims belonging to six families converting to Hinduism, in Jind in Haryana, should be seen as a manifestation of this entire 'hate industry' that demonises Muslims, makes it difficult for small communities living in far-flung areas to survive.

It is a complete industry that has been created, the infrastructure where even the mainstream TV channels and papers now playing role of Rwanda Radio, then imagine what the others do, those websites and the parties' IT cell.

The strategy is to create such pressure, demonize so much, that the community is perpetually under psychological pressure, always defensive, even guilty for things you have no connection, and under scrutiny for any incident remotely connected to a Muslim.

Sickness has reached a stage that even video of a vendor using a bottle to wash his hand, is given a twist and false claims are made that he was sprinkling urine (sic), and shared on social media, the community constantly bears the brunt of this demonizing campaign.

A day or two later officers clear the air or fact-check websites debunk the video and reject the false claims, but by then the fake news reaches millions. And it keeps happening on a daily basis. You keep explaining but there is a limit to it.

And, when this is consumed by viewers along side mainstream TV channels, newspapers' propaganda, it goes to a scale that is almost impossible to fight. It's time to understand the enormity of this fake news industry and its Islamophobia. Tackle it before it's too late.

READ: World must Wake up, Indian media involved in Nazi-style propaganda against Muslims

READ: Hate spread through TV channels: Is media's right-wing shift irreversible?

Islamophobia in Indian media, hate spread through TV channels: Is the media's right-wing Hindutva shift irreversible?

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

Is the Indian media's right-wing shift irreversible?

The question was actually raised on Twitter, in a discussion. Baba Glocal asked, "Do you guys think the genocidal brand of Rwanda Radio journalism will survive even after BJP loses the center?".

He further wrote, "The people who they are catering to remains the same, even if BJP doesn’t get the majority. (Lack of) funding is the only way to stop them".

TV CHANNELS HAVE DIVIDED THE SOCIETY

I don't think even after BJP gets weakened a bit in future, there will be a major change. The society has been deeply divided and the communal poison has permeated everywhere sphere--no longer the urban and rural divide exists, Islamophobia has now swept the country.

Besides, there is no strong will to fight these people, ideologically, by any of the opposition parties and hence in the absence of any such movement, more and more people in society getting affected with time and turning right-wing, getting converted to the Hindutva cause through channels, daily dose on Whatsapp, Facebook and all other medium including print.

WHERE IS THE OPPOSITION'S WILL TO TAKE ON HATE-PEDDLERS?

Common people can fight up to a level but it needs groups and cadre for example youth wings of parties, the support of party organizations in legal cases against owners-anchors and public naming-shaming of channels-owners who indulge in hate but the entire ecosystem is now ultra right-wing.

If the core right-wing vote for 15-18%, sustained propaganda on a daily basis over the years has led to this figure going up, probably, past 25% and even more. Such is the situation that leave Muslims aside, every 'secular party' and particularly,Congress and its leaders are hated by a large section.

They can suffer but can't even think of not voting the BJP. All these debates on TV channels, the clips of the shows, are later shared on social media. The 'IT cells' often edit and make them even more 'lethal' for the society.

HOW TO FIGHT THE TV CHANNELS' TOXICITY, HATE

The fight is not easy. This needs planned work, taking to the streets, demos as well, apart from ideological support, serious efforts to fight, counter propaganda, not just stop core right-wing base grow but get them see reality, especially, those who just see 'Muslim appeasement' & 'population growth'.

It is an unprecedented situation, for example even if 10,000 farmers commit suicide, there is no tear for them in this society, no major movement or 'anger in society' narrative, because papers-media that work from cities, don't make it an issue.

This is the scenario when most of the farmers belong to the majority community. Failing economy or even banks' collapse is immaterial too. Then comes the idea that can a grip on funding of these channels, affect their business!

Funding not as big an issue here as in the West, because media always made losses here but businessmen needed it for power and to bargain with government. Spending is controlled as mostly there are debates, not much in-depth reporting or specials that need money, resources and dedication.

Even if a few channels are reined in, most of them would continue doing it on particular days, issues and keep raising controversial things. Also, the infiltration in media is such that the ideology is now difficult to remove.

READ: World must wake up, TV channels spreading Nazi-level hate against Muslims in India

The 'hate is now around us' and not dependent on TV alone. There are 'warriors' who issue threats to people or even go to bizarre levels like call to boycott entire community. Emergency steps are required and real tough action on part of State can only stop it. And, this is highly unlikely.

One factor that will come in way of any change is the composition of the newsrooms--people who form an overwhelming majority of the editorial positions in the channels, and there is no major difference in it, over decades.

There is no serious attempt to give representation to communities, groups in newsrooms. Diversity is just not an issue. So what? Though it's all gloomy, still, it is necessary to do our bit and fight as much as possible.

There is need to name and shame owners, their main brands, and telling the entire world about how the owners are acting like genocidal maniacs and what monsters they have created.

Legal ways, activism, social movement and 'halla bol' on channels are also to be used along with these options. TV has definitely harmed the nation. It has created prejudices, deepened hate and widened the existing fault lines. Further, it has demonized Muslims and has hurt the nation more than our real enemies could have done.

A national movement for harmony that stresses on the need to remain united in the best interests of the 'desh' (country) is the need of the hour. For this, some of the celebrities need to show conviction and millions of people who believe in harmony, would have to support it. This is also a possible way to deal with the situation.

[PS: There are some other ways too but everything can't be part of a blog post]

Twitter faces backlash for allowing 'hate' on its platform in India, users ask it to act against hate, Islamophobia

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

Social media giant Twitter is facing a huge backlash in India.

It is because of the company's perceived failure to stop hateful messages and even allowing users who give 'calls for boycott and open discrimination' to remain on Twitter.

The accounts that trended in support of boycott of an entire community [Indian Muslims] were not blocked & even the objectionable trend was not removed, though trends inconvenient for Twitter are removed suddenly.

On the other hand, several accounts were suspended or blocked on flimsy grounds--like posting a phone number seeking help or for seeking blood for a patient. Senior lawyer Sanjay Hedge's account was suspended for reasons best known to Twitter.

But those abusing people freely, issuing threats or posting fake news remain active and there is no one stopping them from carrying on misinformation. Many of them even have 'verified' status. Already, Twitter is facing flak for its strange social media policy.

Bahujan activists have demanded transparency in its verification process. Today, Bhim Army members reached Twitter office to seek clarification over its policies and that why Backward, Tribal and Dalit leaders don't get 'verified'.

The reality is that over a period of two years, Twitter has said that its 'verification' process is on hold. However, people with little or no following and even those who have tweeted fake news repeatedly, keep getting the blue tick (verified), though there is no contact or email on Twitter's website.

No criterion or parameter is known. Mostly, the PR agencies or middle-men are engaged in the job to get people verified. However, allowing hate and fake news is a much more serious issue. Users who have repeatedly shared fake news that had the potential to disrupt communal harmony are not suspended or blocked.

Instead, if a person who is not aware of Twitter's policy that someone's phone number can't be shared, gets suspended even for trying to help someone who needs blood in emergency. Twitter hasn't said it openly and clearly about it and most users aren't aware.

STOP HATE: Citizens' statement against Twitter for failing to stop offensive content, hate

This has been a long-standing problem with Twitter in India. Users who have been sending messages that disrupt social harmony or abuse religious figures or go to the extent of call for complete boycott of an entire community, are not punished.

Isn't it shocking that people who say that Muslims ought to be economically insulated in India--clear incitement (that is against the law of the land too), and violates constitutional provisions, face no action on Twitter.

READ: How Twitter gives free run to fake news, serial hate peddlers on its platform

In the past, such propaganda, demonizing minorities and hate has led to Rwanda genocide. In recent years, we saw killings in Myanmar. Yet, Twitter fails to even act despite hundreds of people reporting these tweets.

Independent fact-checkers have repeatedly exposed the people who are misusing the platform. These tweets make way to people's phones through screenshots, in WhatsApp, and go to rural areas where there is no system to debunk them or find their veracity.

PETITION: Twitter must stop hate, Nazi style propaganda on its platform in India

Petition asks Twitter to stop hate peddlers involved in Nazi style propaganda and spreading fake news in India

This petition puts on record the failure of Twitter to act against serial hate peddlers who spread Nazi style propaganda against minorities.

Forget banning or disabling their accounts, Twitter doesn't even remove the tweets, either because they are either 'influential' or support the ruling party in India.

The petition demands that Twitter India must act against these serial offenders who push false stories and repeatedly exposed by police officials, authorities. Yet, Twitter refuses to act against them.

"These handles that have huge followers, constantly indulge in spreading lies, fake news and manufactured information to spread discord. Even though such misinformation is causing mob attacks and lynchings, Twitter fails to even remove the tweet, let alone ban the user", says the petition.

"In the latest incident, activist Saket Gokhale has made a formal complaint to the Delhi police regarding Madhu Kishwar's objectionable tweet. She has been spreading fake news that has the potential to damage communal harmony and social fabric in India".

"Shockingly, people who even give an open call to economically boycott Muslims in India, a statement that is against the law of the land too, and violates constitutional provisions, face no action on Twitter".

"In the past, such propaganda, demonizing minorities and hate has led to Rwanda genocide. In recent years, we saw killings in Myanmar. Yet, Twitter fails to even act despite hundreds of people reporting these tweets."

"Independent fact-checkers have repeatedly exposed the people who are misusing the platform. These tweets make way to people's phones through screenshots, in WhatsApp, and go to rural areas where there is no system to debunk them or find their veracity".

Sign and Support the Petition:

LINK: Twitter must stop supporting hate peddlers who indulge in Nazi style propaganda in India

For more info, do read the background.

Fake News, Propaganda and Hate: Twitter gives them free run

SHAMEFUL: Twitter India promotes hate-content, Islamophobia in India, refuses to act against hate preachers

Social media giant Twitter has failed to act against 'verified' users spreading hate in India.

Contrary to its claims that it has been tough on hate speech, Twitter has not even bothered to take action against users who pour venom.

One of the examples is Abhishek Mishra, who openly gave a call for economic boycott of Muslims in India.

This is not just hate and Islamophobia, but also breaking the law of the land. You can't discriminate against a fellow Indian citizen, this is against constitution.

No one can exhibit-practice such bias on the basis of caste, colour, creed or community. Besides, the user's comment is punishable under 153, 505 and 295 (A) apart from other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). 

In fact, the user Abishek Mishra, (@Abhishek_Mishra) who is associated with Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), has made controversial comments earlier also. He has been consistently spreading venom against minorities in India. However, he is a 'blue tick' guy--who has a verified account.

Despite numerous users reporting the tweet, Twitter hasn't taken action against it. From IP Patel to Madhu Kiswhar, there is a long list of people who indulge in propaganda, fake news and false information that has potential to disturb law-and-order.

Such behaviour emboldens others who in turn spread even more hate and spread Islamophobia. Clearly, Twitter India is complicit and its role in promoting-protecting such content, must be put on record.

WhatsApp Wakes up: After lynching incidents, sets off ad campaign to 'spread happiness, not falsehoods'

WhatsApp has finally woken up from its slumber.

It has begun a campaign--Khushiyaan baantiye, Afwaahein nahin.

If translated from Urdu to English, it says--spread happiness, not falsehoods.

After rumours and false propaganda was spread on this platform for long, it has apparently bowed to pressure.

Government of India had also asked it to contain the spread of hate and rumours that resulted in incidents of lynchings.

The rumours about cow or gangs on the prowl to abduct kids, had led to attacks, lynchings and even deaths.

A techie was killed in Karnataka. In fact, many other such serious incidents of law-and-order failure took place because of WhatsApp and the rumours spread through the platform.

Inside WhatsApp groups, people share content with like minded people or friends-families. Apart from Facebook, it is another major platform that can let any content go viral within a few hours.

Hence, there is need for more responsibility on part of WhatsApp. It has taken it years for the social media giant to run such an advertisement campaign. Now it is on TV and is also visible at other places.

Quite late. Had they been vigilant earlier, it may have saved lives. If people are aware that they may be caught, they are more cautious. In fact, WhatsApp need to do even more and be strict with people who spread false messages and share fake news.

SHAME: Who is Yoga guru Ramdev to ask Naseeruddin Shah to leave the country?

As veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah expressed his fears--how life of a cow has become more important that that of a human being, it seemed all hell broke loose.

Once again, the chorus--leave the country, began. Yoga guru Swami Ramdev was among the first to react on TV--advising Naseeruddin Shah to leave the country.

Isn't it extraordinary arrogance and objectionable? Who gives them the authority to make such announcements?

Only recently, a right-wing extremist mob attacked a police station, killed an inspector in cold-blood and the assailants are yet to be arrested. Worse, UP politicians tried to give it a spin and the local police first claimed arresting those responsible for animal slaughter.

Later, police again accepted that they had made wrong arrests. Those who were caught, were in fact innocent people. So some other people were arrested. This is despite suspicion of conspiracy that it was all staged because there was a plan to create communal tension during the Ijtima in Bulandshahr.

Now, in such a situation when even killers of police officials are scot-free and release their videos, an actor expresses concern. But he is targeted and told to leave the country and go to another place! Isn't this disgusting!

Who won't be worried? Louts are calling the shots. Naseeruddin Shah is not a commoner but on the ground right-wingers are issuing threats--take out rally in Delhi threatening to pull down Jama Masjid (and no one arrested), or attacking policemen.

You switch on the TV & the debates you watch, the reactions of right-wingers, who won't get paranoid? And you ask people to leave? If someone in your family says he or she is scared, will you comfort them or thrown them out? 

Clearly, your definition of house or family is wrong. May be because you don't have a family or you don't consider your countrymen as your own. And you're not an ascetic but a Saffron-robed businessman who is plain arrogant and seems to have little concern for his country-men.

Terrorism: Right-wing mob lynches 80-year-old Muslim man, burns his body in Bihar

An 80-year-old man was lynched by a mob in Sitamarhi in Bihar. The attackers were part of a  religious procession, and they beat the elderly man to death.

They later burnt his body in full public view. Worst, the administration not only failed to stop the rioters, it tried to suppress the news of this horrific murder.

If this is not terrorism, what else is? How can members who were part of a religious procession turn into monsters?

The definition:

Terrorism is unlawful use of force or violence that is aimed to scare, terrorize and instill fear. 

So what happened in Sitamarhi on October 20. The right-wing extremists insisted on taking the Durga Puja procession to a Muslim locality.

" According to the local police officials, a prior warning had been issued to avoid any clashes.
Upon being denied entry, the procession turned rowdy, leading to clashes....", reports The Quint.

The elderly man, Zainul Ansari, was returning from his daughter's home. Those who were part of the procession, found a Muslim man alone and allegedly lynched him.

Then, Muslim houses were attacked. All this happened after those in a Durga Puja procession turned violent. Police officials' role is questionable as despite earlier warning the procession went and they could not prevent this mindless violence.

Further, local administration apparently tried to hide its failure. The news was suppressed, internet was shut in the area. It took over ten days before the news came out of the State. It's almost unbelievable.

Not only the level of hate, radicalization and communalism but also administration's carelessness and how media outside Bihar couldn't get information about it. Now the arrests have begun but shouldn't senior officials' responsibility be fixed.

This report on the portal was the first to reveal the horrific nature of crime. Strangely, the photographs and video that were crucial evidence, were deemed 'inflammatory' and the portal was sent notice by police. 

Speaking up is even more important, as there is threat, fear and officials--after their failure, try to hide the truth. That, people in religious procession can resort to such crimes against humanity, is an example of growing madness.

And, instead of action against officials, attempt is made to silence the media. 

This didn't happen in Port Blair but in the heart of North India. When the Quint mentions, ' The incident, however, went largely unreported ', it shows the sorry state of affairs. Who had stopped local media or Patna-based correspondents from reporting? Deeply disturbing on many counts.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar who claims to be a secular politican, must take action against police officials responsible for the incident. It's a test case for him. Sadly, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also remained silent.

READ: ELDERLY MAN LYNCHED IN SITAMARHI, BODY BURNT

RSS volunteers' twitter handle wants Hindus to avoid chicken at Karim's, stop business with Muslim: Hindutva Fascists' economic boycott plan for minorities!

A twitter handle @Rss_Org that claims to be an 'independent initiative of RSS swayamsevaks' has appealed to Hindus to avoid business with Muslims.

The handle that has more than 100,000 followers [1.05 lakh] on Twitter, said that Hindus must ask religion of every vendor even if it is about a mere Rupee 5 transaction.

It further said that Hindus should not eat chicken [meat!] at Karim's as they have alternatives--outlets run by the Hinduts.

The inflammatory tweets in a way appeal for economic boycott of Muslims. Also, it aims at creating divide between Hindus and Muslims, promoting religious enmity between them. But is this the RSS' vision?

The handle is run by 'RSS swayamsevaks'. In the past when a similar issue cropped up, RSS dissociated itself, saying it is not the 'official handle', but didn't condemn or seem action for communal tweets.

However, the fact that it is run by self-proclaimed RSS volunteers, reveals the mindset and thought process of the Sangh brigade.  It can't be dismissed as it also runs a website RSS.org. And, it is clear hate-speech.

The economic boycott idea is anti-national and divisive to say the least. Read the series of tweets:

*...Can you plz start boycotting Bangl(adeshi)/Muslim maids, rickshaw, auto, Kabadi wala, Barber etc?
*And please stop being orgasmic about "Karim's chicken. Rajinder's chicken is also there...satisfy your taste buds there.
*Stop funding ur death! Everytime u do any business, or take any service pls ask the name of vendor before transaction of even 5 rupees.

Isn't that serious? The reactions ranged from outrage to scorn. Some made fun of the Sangh-walas' love for chicken that they had to eat it anywhere, if not Muslim, then at a Hindu eatery. Others made fun of the 'regressive mentality'.

Many called it clearly, 'anti-national'. In the past, VHP leader Pravin Togadia, has made similar speech. Clearly, this is not something that is alien to the RSS. Togadia's speech had been reported in the media too. It can't be dismissed as childish or fantastic, as this is hate-filled Fascist agenda that is being put forward.

It will lead to further ghettoisation, if Hindus do business with Hindus, and Muslims deal with Muslims. This will further change complexion of Indian cities. If, such thought process is on, and people are working on it, then it is dangerous for the Indian society.

Already, there are such enclaves and if it grows, the gulf between the two major communities of India, will increase. Practically, it is not possible cent percent to divide Hindus and Muslims on the street, but such communal propaganda can hurt the country, in a big way, in the long run.

Abusive messages, anti-Muslim comments & An Indian Muslim Blog: How to deal with Islamophobia, communalism and hate messages

It's tough to deal with abusive comments that keep coming every day. There are regular such emails and comments on the posts. Most of these guys don't even bother to read the posts and it appears they are full of hate towards Islam and Muslims.

 

I was forced to start moderating comments sometime back when I felt that almost every day I was getting such comments that used to hurt and unsettle me. Often, they are full of so much hatred that you shudder and think, is this real? How much percent of people in this country hate Muslim and do they really hate us so much?

Then I would always console myself that cyberspace is different from normal world. Here people who don't have the cheek to say or do anything openly, can make anonymous comments or send emails, and they are a handful of people who keep doing that regularly and makes you feel that there are so many Islamophobes.

You write a post on harmony, the ganga-jumni culture and then you get an email that starts with 'Saale Kat*&*' and keeps on telling you every atrocity which he believes Muslims have committed on him and his ancestors interspersed with English and Hindutani gaalis.

I feel bad, very bad.

No matter how much you think that you won't give a damn to them, the fact is that everytime you get such a mail or comment, it hurts. Sometimes when it is terribly abusive, you feel why not get this guy tracked and booked for his action.

After all, if someone abuses you openly on the street, it is tough to act against him legally but if someone sends you an email or writes an abusive post, it is possible to teach him a lesson that he will not forget.

The evidence is strong, the IT [Information Technology] Act makes any such crime punishable and the sentence is much more but nobody bothers. Sometime you feel you should take the lead and get a few guys caught. At least, this will send the message across. Racism and hatespeak aren't taken seriously in India yet and people often forget, but it's a serious crime.

If you hate me just for being a Muslim and will keep calling me names, it is irrational. You can write in proper and decent language. Anonymity gives you freedom to abuse. You don't fear that a friend of you, who is a Muslim, may come to know that you have such deep biases. But if you are courageous enough, why don't you stop every passing Muslim on the street and abuse him.

I still want to believe that such guys don't form more than 1% of the populace.

Write your full name, address and also post your photo, if you dare, in forums, sites and blogs. Else talk in a civilised way. Blame me, be critical but enough of abuses. Don't wear the mask of anonymity to spread hate on internet.

Sometimes I really wonder, what could be the cause of such deep hate?

Today there are bombs exploding and Islam is linked to terrorism. But why was such a similar hatred, 16 years ago or even before that, when Babri Masjid was destroyed and when Muslims were openly abused.

Tab Tushtikaran thaa...the so-called appeasement of Muslims by politicians. And people had suddenly become such experts in history that they could tell you how many atrocities Aurangzeb and Babur had done on Hindus in this country. Even then, it was not easy for Muslim to get a house on rent (I am not talking about jobs or any other thing).

Simple hatred. Why?

Photo: Knelstrom Ltd, Pexels

Bangla migrant Vs Nepali migrant: Bangladeshi is foreigner, Nepali immigrant is welcome in India?

No to Bangladesh (Left), Yes to Nepal (Right)

A recent Delhi-based English newspapers editorial on the issue of migrants' influx is thought-provoking.

The entire nation and politicians cutting across the party lines have made the issue of Bangladeshis' influx as the biggest threat to India.

Strangely, the Marxists are also crying hoarse like the right-wing groups and the BJP that always did it in the past over this issue.

The communalization of Indian politics is so intense that on one hand the country has open border with Nepal, the entry of Bangladeshi migrant who is culturally more closer to India is a strict no-no.

Lakhs of Nepalese citizens enter India every year just because Nepal is a Hindu country? Though culturally, it was not a part of India. It was a separate kingdom. 

But Bangladesh [that was just 57 years ago part of India], is a Muslim country and is it the reason that the migrants from this country are unwelcome.

What the Bangla migrant does? He mingles easily and lives peacefully. On the other hand, even if a man from Nepal is involved in an offence, there is no anger against the entire group. But in case of Bangladesh, if a man is even termed 'Bangladeshi', is is used as a derogatory term in media.

Had there been even a couple of incidents of crime by Bangla migrants, the national media would have made a great hue and cry. The Bangladeshis and the West Bengal residents share same language, culture and traditions. 

They were a unified race that was divided. It was the British administration that once tried to divide Bengal in 1905. Barely 42 years later, the British again chose to cut Bengal, with the assent of the leaders of Congress as well as other parties.

Of course, that's history. But, as long as Hindus came to India from Bangladesh, it was not made an issue. The settlements of Bangladeshi Hindus through out the India are reminder to the fact but now the Bangladeshi has been labelled as troublemaker.

The difference between figures of immigrants, is huge. In fact, there is a clear exaggeration about claims regarding figures of Muslims from Bangladesh, and the constant rhetoric that Muslim immigrants are arriving purposely to affect religious demography of West Bengal.

These claims have been repeated so many times on a regular basis for years, that it has got into the minds of citizens. Certain people at the top positions, made wild guesses in order to create panic among Hindu population, that the arrival of Bangladeshis...

...would increase the proportion of Muslims, so dramatically, that it would affect the population balance. Actually, it's a form of hate. Demonizing a country and people is not fair. Besides, rather than taking it up seriously and at bilateral level, the chest thumping and hatred on display, affects our image & relations.

In Assam, we have similar issue that keeps raging perennially. Read an exhaustive post on the same issue that was written later on this blog. The article, 'Branding the Bangladeshi migrant as terrorist: Illegal immigration or a humanitarian crisis', is related.