There is a book by Aparna Vaidik – My Son’s Inheritance: A Secret History of Blood Justice and Lynching in India. In this book she tries to establish that Indians should not have any misconception that their culture is very non-violent, rather she connects the entire heritage with violence. Well, apart from many other things, it is also mentioned that after the riots in Indore, a ‘Muslim’ shopkeeper of her old identity had to sell his shop and his maternal uncle was involved in it.
Anyway, this is one truth of the riots and another truth is in today’s Uttar Pradesh, where the flames have gained momentum after a government order. The order was that all the shopkeepers and hawkers on the Kanwar path will have to paste their name and address in big letters, i.e. they will have to put up nameplates. And this is what created a ruckus. Some leaders even linked it to Udenboycott and Nazism.
The habit of turning sesame seeds into palm trees
There is a very famous saying in our country that when we hear that the crow took away our ear, most of us don’t check our ears but start running after the crow. The order that is being talked about is mainly of 2006. At that time there was UPA government at the centre and SP government in UP. This was an order given to ensure the quality of food items, which has come to light after 18 years of moving at a slow pace in government files. Now if this decision is being opposed, then how will anyone be able to advocate for ‘halal’ products?
After all, Muslims too check for halal certificates for so many things, from food to so many other things. Entry of non-religious people in Mecca is prohibited. They cannot even travel through Mecca. Who knows where this matter will lead? How does secularism come into play in implementing a law which is old? How does Nazism come into play?
On this basis, the burqa will also have to be opposed, because it is essentially a symbol of ‘identity politics’. Along with this, it also points towards another very subtle mentality, which has been continuously imposed in this country in the name of secularism. That is, any matter of Islam, any issue will be kept free from ‘scrutiny’, there will be no question of testing and whatever experiments are to be done, they can be done on the Hindu people. Therefore, whether it is the question of Sabarimala or Jallikattu, there a decision cannot be given on the basis of faith or any scripture, but in all other issues, this becomes a ‘limit’.
What does it have to do with Nazism?
The operators and owners of shops will have to give their names, this decision has now been implemented by the Yogi government for the entire state. That is, starting from Muzaffarnagar, passing through Saharanpur and Lucknow, this decision is now applicable for the entire state. What does this have to do with Nazism, but thinking like this is not only an exaggeration but also fear-mongering. Generally, the public knows that the Kanwar Yatra is very difficult and is carried out amidst many strict decisions in terms of purity. Even many staunch non-vegetarian Hindus start staying away from non-vegetarian food in the month of Sawan.
Anyway, as far as Kaanvad is concerned, there are many types of it, some walk without any rest, some keep the Kaanvad standing continuously, i.e. on the shoulder itself. So, during that time it is a matter of maintaining purity and cleanliness regarding food. It is about vegetarianism. Now if the shop is owned by a Muslim owner, then there will definitely be non-vegetarian food there, if not then people will definitely go there. How much difference does the name make in this.
It is also a matter of thought that how much of the Hindus who are non-vegetarians can see this from a religious point of view? Perhaps one or two percent, because it is not in-built, it is not mandatory. Hindus not only insist on ‘jhatka’, but many do not even search for it, do not even check it. On the other hand, for a Muslim, it is a religious matter, he will only eat ‘halal’. So, this is a way of life. Why forcibly make it a subject of controversy? If the way of life is imposed on Muslims or their shops are forcibly closed, then the issue is definitely constitutional. Before that all this is a far-fetched idea. Who does not know that a large number of shops around the Gorakhpur temple are of Muslims, even those selling prasad and flowers. This is the situation outside many temples. Now, if it is just a matter of telling one’s name, then what is the need to create a ruckus in this?
Muslims avoid colours on Holi, but love dandiya. Similarly, they do not have to reveal their identity in business, while everywhere else their identity is based on politics. The majority community is filled with mistrust towards it and without bridging it, neither India nor its Hindu-Muslim community can prosper. The first step to restore trust is to tell each other our true identity. Perhaps big goals can be achieved by taking this one small step."text-align: justify;">[नोट- उपरोक्त दिए गए विचार लेखक के व्यक्तिगत विचार हैं. यह ज़रूरी नहीं है कि एबीपी न्यूज़ ग्रुप इससे सहमत हो. इस लेख से जुड़े सभी दावे या आपत्ति के लिए सिर्फ लेखक ही ज़िम्मेदार है.]
