India, a land of unparalleled diversity, has long been a testament to the coexistence of various cultures, religions, and traditions. The phrase “unity in diversity” is deeply ingrained in its identity, as it is home to millions of people from diverse backgrounds.
However, in recent years, debates over religious tolerance and alleged Islamophobia have emerged, painting a bleak picture of the country’s social fabric. A closer look at ground realities, on the other hand, reveals a different story-one of love, harmony, and coexistence, despite occasional disagreements.
No religion, Including Islam and Hinduism, advocates hatred. Nonetheless, history has seen individuals and groups use faith to sow division. While communal tensions occasionally flare up in India, these isolated incidents do not represent the entire country.
Numerous stories of Hindu-Muslim unity demonstrate that humanity transcends religious boundaries. Consider the heart-warming story from Varanasi, where a group of Muslim men organized the cremation of a young Hindu girl while adhering to all aspects of Hindu funeral customs. Or consider the efforts of Muslims in Kanpur who provided milk and fruits to Shivratri devotees visiting a temple. Such acts of kindness are not uncommon. A 42-year-old Muslim woman in Meerut recites the Hanuman Chalisa every day, a practice she started in college. A Muslim family in Assam has taken care of a 500-year-old Shiva temple for generations, and a mosque in Meerut allowed its premises for use, to cook food for a Hindu temple’s bhandara. Indians constantly overcome religious barriers, whether it’s Muslims supporting Kanwar yatris or Hindus fasting during Ramadan. These examples are not just anecdotes; they reflect India’s deeply ingrained cultural ethos. It demonstrates how Indians regardless of their religion, place a high importance on the right to practise all faiths and stress that respecting other religions is essential to being “truly Indian.” There are difficulties, it’s true. India, like all societies, has its share of demons, or people and organisations that profit from discord. Regardless of the nation or situation, hate may manifest itself anywhere, as the sporadic outbursts of communal violence serve as a sobering reminder. However, it is far from accurate to attribute these occurrences to systemic rejection of a particular community or widespread Islamophobia.
In many respects, the notion of Islamophobia in India is a fallacy when considered in
the context of daily interactions and existence. Numerous acts of love, respect, and
solidarity continue to fortify the fabric of the country, despite the attempts of some dissident voices to sow discord. Nevertheless, it is crucial to strongly denounce and deal with instances of intolerance. A culture that values respect for one another cannot afford to tolerate hatred from any source. Recognising the tremendous good that unites us is just as important as admitting and fixing our imperfections. India’s strength is the harmony of its cultures and religions. The larger reality is one of respect and coexistence, despite the fac that certain people may use religion to further their own ends. Any kind of systematic hatred including Islamophobia, is not representative of Indian culture. Rather, the stories of Hindu Muslim unity that motivate us to create a better, more inclusive society are the beating hear of this country.
-Insha Warsi,
Francophone and Journalism Studies,
Jamia Millia Islamia
