RANDOM THOUGHTS AT CRITICAL JUNCTURE

Muslim Leadership Failure 

Ram and Hindu Monotheism 
Banning Scientific Pursuits 
 
At this critically significant moment in India’s history, when Ram Mandir’s foundation stone is being laid by the nation’s Prime Minister, several thoughts disturb me. I present them below, randomly 
 
1. BABRI MASJID FIASCO AND BANKRUPTCY OF MUSLIM LEADERSHIP 
a. Since 1990 I have been advocating that Muslims find an honourable way to vacate the land occupied by the Masjid and move it away brick by brick after certain statutory guarantees for security, peace and development 
b. In 1992 I cried in helplessness along with millions when the Masjid was being razed. It was the identity, the rule of law and the constitution itself that were being trampled. This saddened me. 
c. Yet again I launched my campaign to find a resolution out of court and amicably. And I was clear in my mind: that this was in the interest of Indian Muslims. 
d. My book KHITAB-E-NAU - published a decade ago - strongly pleads for this dispute’s honourable resolution by mutual negotiations. After all, the Masjid was gone forever, and all that remained was to salvage the community’s security and honour. 
e. Today, as the mosque is gone, a temple is coming up precisely at that spot and the Masjid is nowhere, thousands of accessible masjids and dargahs demolished / damaged, thousands of Muslims killed, widowed and orphaned, I want to hold the Muslim leadership to account for failing to see the writings on the wall and for failing to ensure protection of Muslim life, limbs and property. 
f. The test of leadership lies in its vision and foresight, and in their ability to channelize their follower’s energies and resources towards their empowerment. On all these counts Muslim leadership has failed squarely. 
 
2. HINDU ‘MONOTHEISM’ THROUGH RAM 
a. BJP is attempting to establish a kind of monotheism amongst Hindus by seeking the convergence – indeed submergence – of all Hindu religious pluralism on the persona of Ram. 
b. This would have its attendant consequences typical to all monotheistic faiths like Islam and Christianity: inflexibility, fanaticism, dogma, intolerance. Thus the beauty of polytheism, i.e. flexibility, adaptation, diversity and liberalism will be lost. Hinduism then will become a poorer version of large monotheistic faiths 
 
3. BAN ANY PROBE ON RAM’S LIFE AND HISTORY 
a. Now that the entire government, the supreme court and vast sections of Hindus have written in stone Ram’s place of birth, and the various tales associated with him, what happens if any subsequent findings, probes and researches prove any of these to be untrue? Hasn’t Nepal claimed Ram’s birth place? Have not other places staked claim to his birth? What if any turns out really true? 
b. The temple can’t be undone, the Masjid can’t be rebuilt, the dead can’t be resurrected, BJP can’t be overthrown from power…and almost an entire community can’t be shamed into guilt. 
c. So, the only solution is to ban all such research, probes, findings. The myth must be nailed as real, in toto. Period. 
d. To hell with science, truth-seeking, research! Our ancient grandeur has been restored. It must be preserved at all cost, including truth.