Muslims Have Become India's New-Untouchables

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 4 April 2025 "Near the end of our journey, I asked Mishra if all that he’d been saying to me was really only to say that he hated Muslims. I thought he might hesitate, deny the thought, if only for form’s sake. But new India has no place for such hesitation. Proud Hindu that he was, he said, “Yes.” Parvati Sharma, Aurangzeb The Bad, And Our New Black-And-White History Very true. Today's India has no place for such hesitation. The hatred for Muslims is palpable. Mughals were invaders, Muslims were vandals and Muslims kings forcibly converted Hindus. While there's some truth to these (public) perceptions, there's no denying the fact that we've gone wrong on almost all counts. Remember, our understanding of history is shaped by those who record it, highlighting certain events while ignoring others to suit their own narratives. History, as we know it, is not an impartial account but rather a product of individuals or groups who selectively choose which events to highlight or ignore, often driven by their own narratives. This subjectivity is inherent in the study of history, as different historians bring their own biases, perspectives, and motivations into their writings. As a result, our understanding of history can vary significantly, as it is shaped by these recorders who, consciously or unconsciously, shape the narrative of the past. Therefore, it becomes crucial for us to critically evaluate multiple sources and perspectives to attain a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities of historical events. History is a mosaic of individual stories, each with its own unique perspective, but together they form a larger narrative. Each person's story holds its own unique perspective on events, reflecting their personal experiences, beliefs, and values. These individual narratives, when woven together, contribute to a larger narrative that shapes our understanding of the past. Our ability to see history through various lenses and perspectives enriches our knowledge, as it allows us to delve deeper into different aspects of events and societies. By acknowledging and embracing the diverse stories that comprise history, we gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities and nuances that shape our world. Ultimately, history becomes a beautiful mosaic, revealing the intricacies and breadth of human experiences and shedding light on the tapestry of our shared human existence. History is often what you want to hear and what you want to ignore. When the collective as well as prevalent spirit (Zeitgeist in German) of a country is only interested in listening to a narrative that goes completely against Islam and Muslims (on the subcontinent), it becomes much easier to spread the canards and consolidate a viewpoint that suits the majority. The legendary British historian Sir Arnold Toynbee believed that by taking one idea, regardless of being good or bad, from the bowels of history and stretching it to admire or admonish a race or a group of people was quite convenient for the posterity. The idea that Mughals were invaders and Muslims kings were rogues and rascals helped an erroneous narrative become a fact, nay an axiom in today's India. British philosopher A J Ayer said, " The limits of my language mean the limits of my world. " I shall dare paraphrase it: The limits of our language define our perceptions and that could be the limits of our world. The way we use language directly influences how we perceive and understand the world around us. If our vocabulary and ability to express ourselves are limited, then our ability to comprehend and engage with the world will also be limited. Language serves as the primary tool for communication and knowledge, shaping our thoughts, beliefs, and experiences. Therefore, expanding our language skills and acquiring new ways of expression can lead us to a broader and deeper understanding of the world. At the moment, we're weaning on the language of rabid hatred and thriving on relentless Muslim-bashing. That has limited our ability to perceive the truth and shrunk our minds. We're wasting our so-called linguistic skills and rhetoric only on lambasting Muslims. The outcome is obvious: Muslims have become India's new-untouchables. ------ 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://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/muslims-india-untouchables/d/135054 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