Opinion View from the right: Real stereotyping

Outfits like Isis and Boko Haram are killing thousands in the name of Islam.

January 15, 2015 03:22 AM IST First published on: Jan 15, 2015 at 03:22 AM IST

The Organiser editorial takes on “pseudo-secular intellectuals”, referring to recent terror attacks. It comes down on those who criticised the mock anti-terror drill in Gujarat, where the administration was accused of stereotyping, since the drill involved people posing as terrorists wearing the skull cap. “‘Secular’ media, intelligentsia and political parties call it stereotyping of Muslims. Certainly, it may be unjust to link a particular community with terrorism. But from Sydney… to [the] Peshawar school attack, outfits like Isis and Boko Haram are killing thousands in the name of Islam and now [the] ghastly killings of journalists and cartoonists in France raise the pertinent question about who actually is stereotyping Islam,” the editorial asks.

It says that out of 41 major terror attacks in 2014, 39 were conducted in the name of Islam. But many such attacks were justified by some: “Sadly, there are very few fringe voices that are raising their voice against this violence in the name of [a] particular religion. Even these voices are not ready to accept any argument against the philosophy of religion,” it notes, adding that the Western-educated, tech-savvy youth all over the world are answering the call of revenge terrorism and perceived injustice against Muslims.

Accusing liberal, secular intellectuals of giving strength to extremist voices by being selective in condemning attacks on freedom of speech and expression, it says: “Hence, it is neither the Gujarat police nor Hindutva philosophy but the followers of political Islam, silent moderate Muslims and pseudo-secular intellectuals who are stereotyping Islam.”

IS OWAISI MUSLIM?

The Organiser raises questions for Asaduddin Owaisi on his identity as a Muslim. Claiming that Muslim society is divided into many sects and sub-sects, with confusion on internal relations, it says: “It is well known that during the times of [the] Holy Prophet, there was only one Muslim religion. What is the situation today? No Muslim is sure of [the] other being a Muslim. In that case, can Owaisi vouch for the newborn being a Muslim of what sect, sub-sect and belonging to which social group? The question still remains “Who is a Muslim?” By that measure, Mr Owaisi, are you sure that are you a Muslim?”

It reminds Owaisi that Islamic Pakistan, with an American-equipped armoury, was twice defeated by India.

It adds that both Owaisi brothers inherit the legacy of the Razakars, whose chief Qasim Rizvi ran away to Pakistan when they were subdued by police action in Hyderabad state. The article further states that even in Pakistan, confusion and a diffused feeling about being Muslim prevailes among the masses: “Let Owaisi also clarify for which Muslims he is speaking…”

LEFT ISN’T CHARLIE

Taking a dig at the opposition parties for their response to the “terror boat” incident off the Gujarat coast, the Panchjanya editorial says the first political reactions to the incident chose to question the government’s intentions instead of the suspected terrorists. It says that, despite making headlines, the terror attack on Charlie Hebdo was missing from television debates.

While the broadcast media could get away by citing the lack of time, it asks how newspapers would defend the fact that, despite making it to the front page of most dailies, the Charlie Hebdo attack did not find space in any editorial. Calling Charlie Hebdo a Left-leaning magazine, the editorial argues the media and the Indian Left did not stop venting their frustration against the BJP and Hindutva, instead of discussing the Paris terror attack.

Compiled by Liz Mathew