• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Authors
  • Contact Us

The Punjab Pulse

Centre for Socio-Cultural Studies

  • Areas of Study
    • Social & Cultural Studies
    • Religious Studies
    • Governance & Politics
    • National Perspectives
    • International Perspectives
    • Communism
  • Activities
    • Conferences & Seminars
    • Discussions
  • News
  • Resources
    • Books & Publications
    • Book Reviews
  • Icons of Punjab
  • Videos
  • Academics
  • Agriculture
You are here: Home / Areas of Study / National Perspectives / Why we met the RSS chief

Why we met the RSS chief

September 27, 2022 By Guest Author

Share

S Y Quraishi

Ever since the news broke out that five Muslim community members met the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on August 22, the media has gone to town with various interpretations. The five who met Bhagwat were former Delhi LG, Najeeb Jung, journalist Shahid Siddiqui, hotelier Saeed Shervani, Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah and this writer.

I would like to clarify that this was entirely an initiative of the five of us, a motley group of friends with common concerns about the insecurity of the Muslim community and a belief in the process of dialogue. Since the news broke, we have received innumerable messages of support from members of the Muslim community, and even non-Muslims, echoing our feeling that dialogue is the only way forward.

We have also seen many critical comments. Like, who “authorised” us to represent the community. Some expressed concern that “association” with a communal organisation, would jeopardise our so-far untarnished reputation. Some warned us about getting “entrapped”. Yet, no one questioned that dialogue is the only way forward.

We have been asked a host of questions which I will deal with through this piece, requested by The Indian Express, to set the record straight.

What prompted us to seek this meeting? Well, our pressing concern is about the way things are going, especially the insecurity being increasingly felt by the Muslim community in the wake of recurring incidents of lynching of innocents, calls by Hindutva hotheads for genocide and the marginalisation of the community in almost every sphere.

What was the meeting like? First, we were surprised to see the simplicity of the RSS’s chief’s modest office. Then, his punctuality — he was on the dot for the 10 am meeting. His patience as well: He listened to all of us with rapt attention for an hour without interrupting even once. The only other person in attendance was Krishan Gopal, his close associate.

Of course, we could sense that Bhagwat was speaking from a position of authority. But it was subtle and his demeanour was never overbearing — there was nothing that would make us uncomfortable. In his opening remarks, he emphasised three things: Hindutva is an inclusive concept in which all communities have equal room. The country can progress only when all communities are united, he added. In a very significant statement, he emphasised that the Indian Constitution is sacrosanct, and the entire country has to abide by it. He sought to dispel the fear that RSS is seeking to abandon the Constitution at the first opportunity. And, that Muslims will be disenfranchised.

Bhagwat then said that Hindus are extremely sensitive about two things, the first of which is the cow. We responded that Muslims fully understand this, especially as cow slaughter is banned in most of India. The law already punishes violators, as it should. His inference seemed to be that in states where there is no legal ban, Muslims should voluntarily shun beef. This should be easy enough if it ensures security for the community.

The other sensitivity he mentioned was Hindus being called “Kafir”. Our response was that though the original meaning of this Arabic word was non-believer, if it is considered derogatory, Muslims must avoid it completely. Very easy. Very doable. The Quran mentions that “Allah is Rabbul Alamin,” not Rabbul Muslimeen” — God of the universe, not of Muslims alone. The Quran says, “unto you your religion, unto me mine”.

We also pointed out to him equally offensive terms used for every Muslim — Jihadi and Pakistani. He agreed that it must stop immediately. We suggested the need for a continuing dialogue and asked if he could name some of his associates with whom we could take the interaction forward. He named four persons. He also volunteered to be available himself if required. I used this opportunity to present Bhagwat my book “The Population Myth: Islam, Family Planning and Politics in India,” with the prior consent of my colleagues. While doing so, I mentioned four things.

One, though the Muslim population growth is the highest, the rate is highly exaggerated. The difference between the Hindu and Muslim rates, which was 1.1 30 years ago, has come down to 0.3, since Muslims are adopting family planning much faster than the Hindus. Two, contrary to the general perception, Muslims have the least incidence of polygamy as per the government of India’s own report and old Census figures. Three, widespread polygamy is just not possible in India because of the adverse gender ratio. There are only 940 women against 1,000 men, which means 60 men don’t even have one wife. Bhagwat had a hearty laugh at this, clearly indicating that the point had registered. Four, Muslims can never overtake the Hindus even in 1,000 years as is clear from a mathematical model which professors of mathematics, Dinesh Singh and Ajay Kumar prepared on my request.

The moment the media got wind of the meeting, it pounced on the news. Reaction? Overwhelmingly positive. Reservation? RSS won’t change. Maybe, maybe not. Criticism: We are “legitimising” them. Well, they don’t need our legitimising. They are already the largest and most powerful organisation in the world. And who are we anyway? A bunch of retired people who have played successful innings and are concerned about society and the country.

Do we represent the community? Maybe not. Nobody has elected or selected us. But we are also the community. We have our perceptions and observations. It was our individual initiative. Are we elitist? Possibly. But nowhere near our accuser, who lives in a palace 10-15 times bigger than our relatively modest houses. We are not illiterate. We are equally aware of the ground realities: Incidents of lynching; calls for genocide; rapes; economic boycott; questioning of voting rights, and discrimination in getting houses or jobs.

Our dilemma: How much to expose to the media? We didn’t want to go to them in the first place. But we also did not want to hide from them when approached. After all, we kept the matter from the media for a whole month, while freely talking about it with dozens of friends. That should answer cynics who said we are seeking publicity.

We firmly believe that dialogue is the only way forward. We have nothing to lose, but everything to gain. We want to take our feelings to the honourable Prime Minister as well, at the earliest. We hope he will oblige us with an audience.

(SY Quraishi is the former Chief Election Commissioner of India)

Coiurtesy: The Indian Express


Share
test

Filed Under: National Perspectives, Stories & Articles Tagged With: Jihadi, Kafir, Mohan Bhagwat, Najeeb Jung

Primary Sidebar

News

ਪੰਜਾਬ ਚ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਜਗਾਵਾਂ ਤੇ ਵਿਸ਼ਵ ਵਾਤਾਵਰਨ ਦਿਵਸ ਮਨਾਇਆ

June 6, 2023 By News Bureau

Punjab News: हड़ताल के चलते अस्पताल में मरीज बेहाल

June 6, 2023 By News Bureau

चंडीगढ़ PGI का NIRF रैकिंग में दूसरा स्थान

June 6, 2023 By News Bureau

पंजाब के कई स्कूलों में 150 बच्चे 1 टीचर के सहारे

June 6, 2023 By News Bureau

20वीं एशियान अंडर-20 एथलेटिक्स चैंपियनशिप

June 6, 2023 By News Bureau

Areas of Study

  • Governance & Politics
  • International Perspectives
  • National Perspectives
  • Social & Cultural Studies
  • Religious Studies

Featured Article

The Akal Takht Jathedar: Despite indefinite term why none has lasted beyond a few years?

May 15, 2023 By Guest Author

Kamaldeep Singh Brar The Akal Takth There’s no fixed term for the Jathedar (custodian) of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat in Sikhism. That means an Akal Takht Jathedar can continue to occupy the seat all his life. Yet, no Akal Takht Jathedar in recent memory has lasted the crown of thorns for more […]

Academics

‘सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला’ धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-10 – भाग-11

सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-10 विजयी सैन्य शक्ति के प्रतीक ‘पांच प्यारे’ और पांच ‘ककार’ नरेंद्र सहगल श्रीगुरु गोविंदसिंह द्वारा स्थापित ‘खालसा पंथ’ किसी एक प्रांत, जाति या भाषा का दल अथवा पंथ नहीं था। यह तो संपूर्ण भारत एवं भारतीयता के सुरक्षा कवच के रूप में तैयार की गई खालसा फौज […]

‘सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला’ धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-8 – भाग-9

सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-8 अमृत शक्ति-पुत्रों का वीरव्रति सैन्य संगठन नरेंद्र सहगल संपूर्ण भारत को ‘दारुल इस्लाम’ इस्लामिक मुल्क बनाने के उद्देश्य से मुगल शासकों द्वारा किए गए और किए जा रहे घोर अत्याचारों को देखकर दशम् गुरु श्रीगुरु गोविंदसिंह ने सोए हुए हिंदू समाज में क्षात्रधर्म का जाग्रण करके एक […]

‘सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला’ धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-6 – भाग-7

सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-6 श्रीगुरु गोबिन्दसिंह का जीवनोद्देश्य धर्म की स्थापना, अधर्म का नाश नरेंद्र सहगल ‘हिन्द दी चादर’ अर्थात भारतवर्ष का सुरक्षा कवच सिख साम्प्रदाय के नवम् गुरु श्रीगुरु तेगबहादुर ने हिन्दुत्व अर्थात भारतीय जीवन पद्यति, सांस्कृतिक धरोहर एवं स्वधर्म की रक्षा के लिए अपना बलिदान देकर मुगलिया दहशतगर्दी को […]

Twitter Feed

ThePunjabPulse Follow

@ ·
now

Reply on Twitter Retweet on Twitter Like on Twitter Twitter
Load More

EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Signup to receive regular updates and to hear what's going on with us.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Phone
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

TAGS

Academics Activities Agriculture Areas of Study Books & Publications Communism Conferences & Seminars Discussions Governance & Politics Icons of Punjab International Perspectives National Perspectives News Religious Studies Resources Social & Cultural Studies Stories & Articles Uncategorized Videos

Footer

About Us

The Punjab Pulse is an independent, non-partisan think tank engaged in research and in-depth study of all aspects the impact the state of Punjab and Punjabis at large. It strives to provide a platform for a wide ranging dialogue that promotes the interest of the state and its peoples.

Read more

Follow Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Phone
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 · The Punjab Pulse

Developed by Web Apps Interactive