The Muslim Question

India has been trading with the Arab peninsula from ancient times. Arab traders have been in the Malabar Coast since the 7th century. Spread of Islam among Arab traders also bought Islam to Indian shores.

As with all other societies in South Asia, nomadic invasion bought Muslim rule to Indian borders. Muslims brought art, music and culture which slowly integrated into the Hindu way of life. After the Great Uprising of 1857, divide-and-rule policy of the British was there to stay. They made contradictory promises to both communities.

The Hindus, however, went on the forge a Pan Indian National identity. They maintained their higher standards of education and living through the long history of Colonial rule and after Independence. They strove toward social change and reforms and greater integration with the wider world.

Muslim bitterness and suspicion helped to widen the gap between the two communities. At least, half a century behind their Hindu neighbours in the development of their nationalist aspirations, industrially and socially underdeveloped, the Muslims responded to the situation simply and unsophisticatedly. They consistently refused every compromise offered to them, holding out on the idea of the revival of the past Muslim glory. Repeatedly, their attitude made unbending by fanaticism of their leaders, lost them opportunities to set the limits of their growth and to define their rights within the Indian society.

The dreams of a Pan Muslim identity further add to the problem of full integration with Indian Nationalist visions. It is always religion first and country next. Periods of violent outburst just serves to drive the schism between the communities.

Muslims today make up almost 25% of the population in West Bengal. The questions facing the community of religious identity, national identity, social reform and greater integration with the wider world has to be addressed urgently. There is no time to wait. Muslims have to decide whether they want to be equal partner in a uniform society or languish years behind the rest and mourn in self-pity! Accepting “sops” of vote bank politics only serves to keep the Muslims backward in every context. While the world is marching towards integration and tolerance, the Muslim community is looking back towards a bygone era and Pan Muslim identity rather than a Pan Indian one!