By Rajan Narayan

THE Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which is the parental organization of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, has called a for a halt to “man lynching and cow lynching” in the country to ensure that people of different faiths live together in peace. The statement was made at a press meeting by the RSS National Executive Member Indiresh Kumar at a press meeting questioning the frequent lynching incidents of Muslims by cow vigilance gangs.
Furthermore, the RSS spokesperson observed that “in many parts of the country and the world people eat meat. But we must recognize that people are sensitive about cows. So an environment in which there is no cow lynching and man lynching should be created. We should celebrate unity in diversity in the country.”
Though Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP have not apologized for the lynchings related to consumption of beef and slaughter, it is significant that the RSS which is considered a hardline Hindu organization has called for an end to such lynchings in the name of the cow or as an excuse to lynch someone. There were a number of incidences of lynching of members of the minority community in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan before the 2024 parliamentary election.
There have even been incidents of lynching of beef traders and other minority Muslims being convicted by the High Court. The attacks on Muslims under the excuse of insult to “gau mata” have increased in the run-up to the assembly election in Haryana and Maharashtra.

HINDU MISTAKEN FOR MUSLIM
AND now curiously in Haryana comes the incident of a 19-year-old Aryan Mishra being chased 22 km before being killed. It was tragically admitted subsequently that it was a case of mistaken identity. In Maharashtra, a Muslim passenger was assaulted in a train on suspicion of transporting beef. There have been other incidents related to the consumption and transport of beef.
The most regrettable is the expulsion of a 7-year-old student from a school in Uttar Pradesh, Amroha district, for bringing mutton biryani to school in his tiffin. Absurdly enough the principal of the school is reported to have expelled the 7-year-old kid. In a more recent incident, the 60-year-old owner of a dhaba, Mohammad Saleem, was forced to change the name of his 20-year-old vegetarian restaurant after repeated threats from a section of Hindus. Saleem was running the Sangam Shudh Shakahari Bhojanalaya on the Delhi-Dehra Dun road in Muzaffarnagar.
It may be recalled that many BJP state administrations insisted that all establishments along the Kanwar Yatra route be closed. The aim of directives issued by the BJP state governments and local authorities was to differentiate between establishments run by Hindus and Muslims. Several restaurants and shops along the Kanwar Yatra route have had to change the name of the owner on the sign boards outside their dhaba or shop. The High Court and Supreme Court struck down the rule but he damage was done as the fundamentalist Hindutva agenda of targeting and isolating the business interests of the minority community has been achieved.

WAQF BOARD BLOW
A MUCH bigger blow to the minority community was the decision of the Modi government to amend the WAQF Board Act to undermine the economic clout of the minority community. The WAQF board is an independent autonomous organization of the Muslim community which administers its properties like mosques, madrasas and other community institutions. The Union home ministry led by Amit Shah had proposed a major amendment by which the WAQF board would be under the control of the Central government.
The WAQF board is the third largest owner of landed property in the country. Admittedly, there have been charges of corruption against office bearers or various WAQF boards. But this is no reason for the government to take over the WAQF boards. When the amendment was brought in the Lok Sabha there was strong opposition to it not only from the Opposition but even the allies of the BJP government. The amendment were not moved and the proposed changes referred to the House Committee of Parliament.
The Congress believes that the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir is an act of war against the minority community. When the British left India in 1947, the Hindu Maharaja of Kashmir Hari Singh opted to merge with India. However, the Muslims are a majority in Kashmir while Jammu is the home of many Kashmiri Pandits. It’s a matter of record that Kashmiri Pandits were chased out of Jammu & Kashmir. Under the terms of the transfer of Jammu & Kashmir to India it was agreed that it would have a separate identity and that outsiders would not be permitted to buy land in Jammu & Kashmir.
The Modi government used its majority in the Lok Sabha to abrogate Article 370 and Jammu, the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh were reduced to Union territories. On the eve of the first election in Jammu & Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, the Opposition is demanding restoration of statehood.
Both minority communities of Muslims and Catholics have been on the back foot since Narendra Modi came to power in 2014. Hardcore Hindutva elements have been targeting Catholics and Muslims. In neighboring Mangalore the Ram Sene headed by Pramod Mutalik has been targeting churches and night clubs frequented by IT workers. Muslims are being targeted in Hindi-speaking states like Uttar Pradesh which has the largest population of Muslims in the country.
Narendra Modi and Amit Shah believe that the score of the BJP is limited to 240 seats in Parliament because of the mass voting against them by the Muslim minority. The BJP has reverted to the politics of polarization in the run-up to the assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana and Maharashtra.
It is not known if the statement issued by the RSS to restrain “gau rakshaks” will bring any enlightenment. However, on the surface of it, it is commendable that the RSS has realized that India is genuinely a secular democratic republic where all contribute to the democratic process of living in peace and harmony.
Goa has been mercifully free of the politics of divide and rule. On the contrary, the BJP has survived in Goa due to the support of the Catholic community. There is no ban on the eating of beef in the state so far. We hope the tradition of secularism in Goa will be respected by both ruling BJP government in the State and the double-barrelled Narendra Modi government at the centre.

JOURNALIST MAKBUL MALGIMANI
IT IS refreshing to hear about the heart-warming display of religious harmony expressed by young Muslim journalist, Makbul Malgimani, who in Korgao-Pernem scripted his own story of unity and coexistence. For the second consecutive year, Makbul threw the doors of his home open to celebrate Chavath or Ganesh Chaturthi, a Hindu festival, with his Muslim and Hindu brethren.
Makbul’s remarkable gesture has earned him the recognition of being a true inter-religious ambassador in the area. He regularly visits churches, temples and mosques to offer his prayers, embodying the spirit of religious harmony. By celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi, Eid and Christmas with equal fervour Makbul is spreading a powerful message of unity and acceptance. His home has become a symbol of religious harmony where people of different faiths come together to share the joy of Indian festivals.
Reportedly, Makbul’s journey towards religious harmony began in childhood, when he was drawn to Lord Ganesh. However, it wasn’t until he had his own home that he could fulfil his wish of celebrating the festival. Today, his home is a beacon of hope for a more inclusive and harmonious society.
Makbul’s story serves as a reminder that religious harmony is not just a concept, but a lived reality that can be achieved through small acts of kindness and acceptance. His efforts have inspired countless others to embrace the beauty of diversity and to promote unity in the country’s communities.