Mansooruddin Faridi and Amir Khan
Speculations about what transpired between five top Indian Muslim thinkers and the Supremo of Rashtriya Syavamsevak Sangh (RSS), Mohan Bhagwat in their August 22 meeting received a fillip with the latter’s recent visit to a mosque and a madrasa in the capital on the same day. What exactly is going on in these interactions?
To know the facts, Awaz-the Voice spoke with the Muslim notables who met Bhagwat, leader of the ideological fountainhead of the ruling BJP.
Senior journalist and former Member of Rajya Sabha Shahid Siddiqui said their first meeting with the RSS chief on August 22 was “very pleasant.”
“We discussed the situation in the country. Bhagwat Sahib owned Islam and Muslim. He said both have a close relationship with India. He candidly expressed his misgivings on certain things related to Muslim and Islam and we did try to clear some misunderstandings.”
Siddiqui said that as such no group can claim to be the representative of Muslims. “We took initiative as concerned citizens and never claimed to be representing the Muslims of the country.”
After this discussion, he said, “Bhagwat Sahib formed a four-member group to carry forward the discussions on the issues of Muslims. He has asked us to stay in touch with Krishna Gopal, Indresh Kumar, and Ramlal Singh.”
While Indresh Kumar is the 'Marg Darshak' of the RSS's Muslim Rashtriya Manch, Ram Lal Singh Samprak Paramukh, oversees the public relations program.
Siddiqui, a former leader of the RLD, said that “this meeting was because we are looking for a way to improve the conditions of the country which is the need of the hour. The discussions were conducted with dignity and respect. We have to narrow our differences and end the toxicity in the environment to move forward as a nation.”
Industrialist and philanthropist Saeed Shervani told Awaz-the Voice said that till the day he met Bhagwat, he didn’t know much about the RSS. “We (Muslims) have been standing on the other side of the fence.”
He claimed the meeting did generate an environment of closeness and opened channels of communication and that needs time to percolate. “The fact is that at this time RSS does not need to connect with Muslims, but Muslims need RSS. Earlier, those who held such meetings spoke of their problems and not about the nation and the country,”
Shervani said.
He said it is important to admit the flaws or weaknesses in Muslim society and correct them. “This should be a two-way process.”
Saeed Shervani says Bhagwat's statements were very positive, the purpose of our meeting was to find out the mutual misunderstandings and ways to remove them. His attitude was very friendly and considerate. They are as concerned as we are.”
He said following the meeting, a non-Muslim sent him a message from America. “He hailed it as a positive step and wished me success. Similarly, an 80-year-old elder from Aligarh praised this initiative and said may Allah reward you for your good deeds.”
Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi said that Bhagwat spoke openly. “He did not mince words while telling us what he holds against Muslims. He told us that people were unhappy with words like ‘cow slaughter’ and ‘kafir.’
Quraishi said: “We told him that we are also concerned about it. Those involved in cow slaughter must be dealt with as per the law. We told him that the word 'kafir' is an Arabic word used for non-believers and this is not a problem that cannot be solved.”
Bhagwat said that 99 percent of Indian Muslims are natives whose ancestors had converted to Islam.
We told him that the frequent vilification of Muslims about their population, polygamy, and negative stereotyping was hurting Muslims.
SY Quraishi remarked: “Bhagwat Sahib's great quality is that he is a patient listener and a very simple man.”
Besides, former Vice Chancellor of AMU and Lt General (Retd) Zameer Uddin Shah were also present in the meeting with Bhagwat.
This group of Muslim notables united a year ago for the mission of Muslim education and economic development of the backward classes and are active with an organization that is working to bring education, especially madrasas, into the mainstream of modern education.
Former Lt. Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung said that the mistrust between the two communities has increased and the only remedy was that we (Hindus and Muslims) people sit together and discuss our differences and grievances while admitting weaknesses and faults.
“We have made a good start - a good work has been started with good intentions.” He asked journalists, social workers, and politicians to join this initiative of dialogue.
Najib Jang said the campaign will not be limited to meeting with the RSS leader. The group will speak with governments, be it the center, or the state, and even with the district administration.
“We plan to sit together and it will not be limited to Delhi only, we will visit different cities of the country - sit with people and give more strength to this thought and ideology.”
He claimed the group is in talks with scholars and other notables and “everyone wants the differences to be sorted out.”
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