Thread by @Vidyut

Just because I saw that nasty @Tejasvi_Surya video, sharing my perception of Muslims.

I studied in a convent school, had Muslim friends and credit to school that I learned Muslims were different.

This was a problem in another way. I never realized they were vulnerable either.

@Tejasvi_Surya The 91 riots happened and all that exciting Hindu-Muslim news and I was disappointed no drama in our society (I was an idiot) except Muslim friends not coming out to play. Didn't make the connection - kids.

We yelled under their window trolling aunty to send our friend out, etc.

@Tejasvi_Surya In hindsight, I realized we must have freaked aunty out with a bunch of Hindu kids yelling under her window asking for obviously Muslim named kids to come out. But they knew us and knew our practice of protesting to free our friends imprisoned by parents :p

@Tejasvi_Surya Fast forward to many years later, as a vulnerable single woman needing a home, friend arranged for me to stay with a Muslim family. Complete with my Brahmin ignorance AND arrogance.

Things hit flashpoint when I recommended that their daughter try pork. I was asked to leave. :p

@Tejasvi_Surya No one threatened me, assaulted me or harmed me. They saw I was clearly ignorant of their practices and did not realize that I was insulting them. Didn't even bother to yell, simply suggested I stay elsewhere.

Was over a decade later when I realized and went "oops" in my head.

@Tejasvi_Surya As an adult, collaborated with many Muslims, argued, fought, befriended etc. In times of need, I've crowdfunded help from wellwishers to get me through bad times. I've always found them to donate willingly, including to a stranger.

@Tejasvi_Surya I've found them to volunteer in crisis and do a lot of the things we'd find admirable in Hindus.

By being so paranoid of Muslims, I think beyond the political agendas and malintent, etc, @Tejasvi_Surya is denying himself the opportunity to know people outside his little pond.

@Tejasvi_Surya The level of paranoia about Muslims is frankly irrational and bizarre and it is resulting in people scared that Muslims will harm them, doing greater harm to everyone.

@Tejasvi_Surya And if this thread sounds so ordinary for someone out to counter paranoia, it is because they are ordinary. They are people like anyone else.

They aren't superman and they aren't Voldemort. Just people.

@Tejasvi_Surya Were *not* different. :p

But I think y'all understood

@Tejasvi_Surya I think biggest reason there is so much fear of Muslims is because there is so little socialization between Hindus and Muslims. Most Hindus live their entire lives without being aware of Muslims (or others who are socially disadvantaged) because they are the "norm".

@Tejasvi_Surya So this lack of information gets exploited by those who would like to sow communal hate.

If you know nothing about a people, and "people like you" - tell you there's nothing good you are missing and how they are bad people, and support Pakistan and terrorists.... no fact check.

@Tejasvi_Surya It is amazing because it creates a divide that is extraordinary - people will travel to different places to see the cultures and food there, but don't consider knowing more about the culture of people living around them believing they already "know" what goes on.