There is carefully crafted paranoia about Muslims. Ghettoisation makes it so that most Hindus rarely know Muslims much and are fertile for fascists to plant suspicion. India didn't get here out of thin air. RSS has crafted this divide for almost a century. Congress played along.
And for all the holier than thou spouted by the Congress, they have ALWAYS been wary about open calls for solidarity. They want Muslim votes by making bogeyman out of BJP (which is true) and Hindu votes by not wanting to look too Muslimey. Bogeyman ate them.
Without anyone countering RSS paranoia about Muslims, it grew and grew and grew, till a majority routinely assaulting the minority firmly believed that it was actually under threat and decided that the ones attacking the minority were better insurance for survival.
Congress got even more terrified about losing the Hindu vote and started playing the wannabe BJP and losing the Muslim vote too, because it was clear that Congress wouldn't save them from threats.
in the meanwhile, BJP has made an artform out of terrifying Hindus into voting for them. Loot the country, CREATE problems for the people, so that they are busy surviving instead of questioning, then before an election, Hindu-Muslim violence.
If it isn't working now, it is because BJP has made an utter cluterfuck out of governing to the point anyone with the least bit of brain be like I'll risk the Muslims, but I can't take this. Doesn't mean they actually trust or even like Muslims. Most barely know Muslims.
These protests also are more about BJP managing to piss off everyone at the same time than solidarity. Colleges rising in solidarity of colleges, Muslims rising in solidarity with Muslims. Ghanta secularism beyond the usual suspects. But if we work hard now, maybe there could be.
Circumstances have forced people together. Those who really believe in secularism should stop spouting self-congratulatory platitudes and make sure Hindus have enough exposure to Muslims to know they are ordinary people. Work work work. Preen later.
And I am not saying this as someone who claims to be above prejudices. I myself have little exposure to Muslims. Internet doesnt count. What do I know about being or living inside a Muslim household? I am asocial. I never go to anyone's house.
Would I be comfortable living with Muslims? I have no fricking idea. Never done it. If someone so vocal about inclusion STILL has so little exposure, what do you think the ordinary Hindu who never needs to contemplate this is exposed to?
It is exactly this lack of familiarity that gets exploited to sow divides.
We have a BIG task before us to introduce the idea of secularism. It is literally going to boil down to. Look, this is a Muslim. Went to school, college, hates/loves to cook, maybe bogus because this one is a vegetarian, oops can't take a joke.... DISCOVERING each other.
And familiarity DOES work, which is why facists are always keen on separating.
You've heard about my bhakt mom. She's absolutely fine with our Muslim friends who come home. It is the Muslims on TV who are the bad people. Why? Because these she knows.
You've heard about my bhakt mom. She's absolutely fine with our Muslim friends who come home. It is the Muslims on TV who are the bad people. Why? Because these she knows.
We need to actively start renting homes across religions, doing paying guest accommodation across religions. Marriage is a knee jerk suggestion, but these are the practical ones. Add a Muslim friend to your car pool. Whatever. Weaving routines. Familiarity.
Then TV tells people that Muslims are out to get you, marry your sister, etc. people will be like "ya. ok. elections coming up. change channel"
