Harping On Aurangzeb and Tipu Sultan

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 9 June 2023 'Bas Ek Kisi Haaisa-e-Khaas Ka Jhonka Konain Tabahi Ke Kinare Par Hai’ (Just a big blow of a catastrophe/ The universe is on the edge of annihilation) While I am not sure of the annihilation of the universe immediately, I'm sure that this country is fast sliding into an anomie. Just the way people, esp. unemployed Hindus in Maharashtra, are reacting to some Muslim guys in Kolhapur displaying the picture of Aurangzeb in their status, one must say that humans are no better than animals. Politicians are fanning this insignificant issue and brainless Hindu youths are getting instigated. Agreed, Aurangzeb and Tipu Sultan were no angels and both abhorred Hindus, but centuries have elapsed. You cannot keep harping on the same old issues till eternity. Move on. If some Muslims idolize Tipu and Aurangzeb, let them adore. Is it a felony to put the pics of Aurangzeb and Tipu as a DP or one's status on a social platform? At the most, they can be reprimanded (even that's also unfair) by the police or cyber cell. Agatha Christie once wrote, “Crime mainly thrives in a criminal atmosphere; when other things are also conducive for the perpetration and perpetuation of a series of gory events." Very apt observation, I must say. When films like 'Kashmir Files', 'The Kerala Story', '72 Hoorain' and now 'Ajmer 92' will be screened and a specific narrative will be bandied about, crimes and communal conflicts are bound to break out. These Islam-bashing movies are acting as perfect catalysts and conduits for divisiveness in the society. The Hindu India is encouraging this polarisation. It's like the famous Urdu maxim, Aag Hai, Tawa Hai, Roti Senkna Ravaa Hai! There's so much hatred in both the communities that it seems, Hindus and Muslims cannot live together any longer. Here, I'm not panning Hindus and praising Muslims. Both are at fault. Even in such dismal circumstances, some Muslims are insidiously indulging in converting Hindus. Hindus are glorifying those Muslim girls who're converting to Hinduism to marry Hindu boys. Unscrupulous missionaries, deliberately oblivious to what's going on, are converting poor Hindus and Sikhs in the hinterland of Punjab. Sikhs are making a hue and cry that a mall in Patna installed their 10th Guru's statue as Sikhism doesn't believe in idolatry. That 50 percent and even more Sikhs visit Vaishno Devi is inconsequential. One can see scores of Sikhs at Shirdi temple in Maharashtra but they'll cry hoarse when their Guru's statute is installed and consecrated at a mall! Wahe Guru ji Da Khalsa, Wahe Guru ji Di Fateh! Religion has become much greater than humanity. A few days ago, the venerable octogenarian Mr Ghulam Mohiuddin rightly asked, “Should we hurtle towards the post-religious phase of mankind or wait for this to happen on its own?” Well, Mr Ghulam, we must hurtle toward that phase and eliminate all religions, their gods, 'holy' books, gurus and sects. What causes so much strife, must be extirpated forever. Humanity is urgently in need of a faithless and godless New World where we all can live peacefully. If a damn ordinary individual like yours truly can live sans god/s, religion and all useless 'holy' books, why can't others? Ask yourself? ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/aurangzeb-tipu-sultan/d/129950 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism