Objective analysis of OIC statement maligning Government of India

This write up is divided into two parts. The first part deals with the nature of opposition by OIC and the US Commission for Religious Freedom of Minorities with objective analysis judging the level of objectivity and truthfulness. The second part deals with India’s position dealing with minorities, especially Muslims, with the conclusion that India’s position with regard to the Muslim community is required to be understood in proper perspective to understand the grassroots reality.

The Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) has urged India to take urgent steps to protect the rights of its minority Muslims and stop the incidents of ‘Islamophobia’ in India. OIC’s Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission in a tweet said: “The Indian media was negatively profiling the Muslims and subjecting them to discrimination”. In an earlier tweet the OIC condemned ‘the unrelenting bias Islamophobia campaign in India maligning Muslims for the spread of COVID – 19 as well as their negative profiling in media subjecting them to discrimination and violence’. On this count, India has already reacted to the 57-member grouping of Muslim majority nations alleging bodies like OIC should not make irresponsible statements. Also, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom expressed the same spirit. The Commission commented on a report of a hospital in Gujarat that patients were segregated on the basis of their religion. Expressed concern with the reports of Hindu Muslim patients separated in the hospital wards in Gujarat. Such actions help to further increase the ongoing stigmatization of Muslims in India leading to false accusations and rumors that Muslims are spreading COVID-19.

India slammed remarks by the OIC in recent days that had expressed concern over reports of maltreatment of Muslims maligning them for spreading of Corona Virus in India. India reacted that observation of OIC is deeply regrettable and was factually inaccurate and misleading. Further said that in present challenging times when the world is focused on battling the spread of the pandemic, the OIC should not try to communalize the fight against the disease. The Indian government was urged to take urgent steps to stop the ongoing tide of Islamophobia in India and protect the rights of its persecuted Muslim minorities as per its obligations under International Human Rights Laws concern with regard to discrimination and atrocities against Indian Muslims during BJP regime with a specific allegation that they and their Tablighi Jamaat are playing a leading role in spreading Corona Virus in India.

Reports of maltreatment of Indian Muslims have surfaced after the spread of COVID -19 cases as they were seen due to the congregation posted by Islamic missionary group Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi Markaz. It is also said that such occurrences of the deliberate attempt to disturb social harmony in India and in the Gulf region. A notable reference was to a twitter handle with the name H.H. Mona bin Fahad Al the Omani Princess on 20 April, 2020, had tweeted: “Oman stands with its Muslim brothers and sisters in India. If the Indian government does not stop the persecution of Muslims, their one million (Indian) workers working in Oman may be expelled. I will definitely take up this issue with the Sultan of Oman”. This tweet further tagged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tweets made by the account went viral amid the wave of controversy following concerns raised the Islamic cooperation regarding Islamophobia in India. The use of the fake twitter handle was also an attempt to sow social discord in India as well as India’s tie with the gulf nations. In this context Indian Ambassadors in gulf countries had made an appeal to the Indian community that not to be swayed by the propaganda. Out of perhaps reaction the statement came of the PM Modi who said that “Unity and Brotherhood” must be the response to the Corona Virus which does not see “Race, Religion, Color, Caste, Creed, Language or Borders, etc. before striking”. The US Commission has already criticized India for failure to protect vulnerable religious communities including Muslims.

In the process of introducing new norms leading to CAA, NPR & NRC and their unprecedented opposition and criticism surfaced due to Muslims' anger. Abolition of Article 35 A and 370 with regard to J & K also annoyed Muslims in India and abroad. To suppress it, the government used repressive measures leading to a communal riot in Delhi causing brutalities and genocide of the Muslim community. This incident also created hurt in Muslim countries. In day to day affairs in their estimation, Muslims are persecuted and they are denied the opportunity of education and employment, resultantly, Muslims are now the most backward community of India being poverty-ridden.

India is governed by a Constitution which is great and matchless in many ways. It maintains and manages the biggest democracy. It sanctions the principle of secularisms, socialism, equality, liberty, and fraternity to all citizens irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, and place of birth. It sanctions religious, cultural, and educational freedom to all, especially Muslims being a minority. It sanctions the separation of power to ensure good governance. Every citizen of India is enjoying the voting rights of the same value. Here people are governed by the rule of law and procedure established by law. There is no discrimination and every citizen including Muslims are entitled to a job opportunity on equal footing. The principle of equality is observed in every walk of life.

India claims the belief in ‘Vasudhaiva-Kutumbakam’. Global brotherhood is its motto. Protection and promotion of human rights is its obligation. Morality and truthfulness in the process of dealing with the people are its cherished goal. It maintains a humane relationship with all countries including Muslim countries especially the member of OIC. It has a special relationship in terms of trade, commerce, science, technology, etc. with Muslim countries. For India some Muslim countries have strategic importance. Muslim countries also have a deep relationship with India in the area of business, trade, commerce, education, science, technology, defense strategies, etc. Muslim countries are rich enough due to natural resources and they are capable to help any foreign country including India. However, the greatness of India under the dynamic and visionary leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is well acknowledged worldwide.

 

It is a well-acknowledged fact that in India minorities enjoy equal rights with the majority community. Even minorities, especially Muslims, are sanctioned more rights by the Constitution of India to live with dignity, as they are vulnerable to being a minority. Indian Constitution is full of matchless norms and virtues to deal with everyone observing the letter and spirit of equality, liberty, and fraternity. Thus, there is no scope for discrimination maligning to any particular community, however, if any wrongdoer does something which is unbecoming, is duty-bound to suffer from punishment prescribed by the rule of law. In this backdrop, the allegations leveled by OIC are disproportionally excessive being misleading as these may help in creating bad blood affecting our relations and mutuality.