I have seen vandalism of different kinds: breaking down of statues of political figures, burning effigies of parliamentarians, sportsperson and celebrities for their insensitive remarks on certain issues or act that is the result of sensationalism and misquoting by Indian media. It has never affected me as much as this act of terror.
By this act, the young rioter pierced my national pride. It disturbed me like never before. Raising a leg against the symbol of 'sacrifice for the country' is unpardonable. It wrecked me. I wished every day that I never saw that picture. The martyrs and jawans have no relation with the political situation whatsoever. What made these 'Muslim' boys took his rage on this memorial.
In time, they moved out to a place where it was only their community lived together. After 10 years, I met my friend eager to have a conversation with me. He wanted me to exchange views on what are my views on brotherhood and humanism. While I was expressing about my idea of One World Family irrespective of their religion that they follow, he interrupted me with a question, " What are my views on Dr Zakir Naik?"
Without a slightest hesitation I intoned, first, he is no Dr - of any kind; second "He must be banished"
I took my chance and looked at him. Surprisingly, His silence seemed like he agreed with me. Being a great friend that he is, broke the ice and narrated his life experience. His friends in the community introduced him to teachings of Zakir Naik and he got indoctrinate by his ideas. in time, He grew his beard, dressed up in the most orthodox way, and started adhering to the ways that has been laid before him.
But his secular upbringing - during the time he grew up with us brought his mind into conflict with what was being imposed on him. Every day he had to fight his conscience against the kind of Morales that has been told by him to understand. Finally his conscience won and he left. He looked into my eyes and confided," It is impossible and impractical to be a true follower of Islam and its practices in this new world" The code and conduct of original Islam teachings doesn't allow for being loose about it. It’s an imposition that needs to be strictly adhered to else you are doomed.
I realised how important it is to grow up in a secular environment. During his early childhood, Ameer has grown up in a place that had Hindus and Christians. He studied in Chinmaya Vidyalaya for 10 years and that foundation could not be altered by any doctrines. He had an understanding of all the religions through his exposure with the society and not acquired through any books or muttering of gospels. He grew up with a broad sense of belonging and harmony and it is this exposure which made him one amongst the secular Muslims of this country.
They will do business in the busiest of towns, they interact with everybody yet their best friends are only from their community. Their circle of trust only lies within their own kind. There is no scope for them to understand that essence of idol worship and how through the form, formless is worshipped. They stop at the idea that divine is formless. It has not been taught to them that the formless can take any form and symbols and practices stands much below values that religion preaches. They believe that their god will get angry at them for being with non believers.
It is obvious that fundamentalism grows in such pockets. Whether its colony of Jews or colony of hardcore rightwing Hindus or Islam followers, if there is homogenous exposure to young minds fundamentalism is bound to grow and to such an extent that the heroes of this land who laid down their lives for the country also hold no value in their minds.
In such people, Nationalism is kept in low regard and as a result basic mannerisms will then be kicked and broken down; literally and metaphorically. What the country need is holistic education encompassing secularism, exposure to multi-cultural society, education that doesn’t homogenize and that imparts wisdom from all parts of the world.
