Asghar Ali Engineer

I always am and always will be against violence as a means of achieving anything. Whatever is the grudge, violence and mayhem achieve nothing.

Personally I am against Taslima’s views on Islam but that would never mean that I would want violence against her. And that too from an illiterate crowd who understands little about any religious or social discourse and go by what the their lumpen leaders say.

We can engage Taslima in debate, we can persuade her to rethink her views in any number of forums but never can we cause harm to her. Even after the Hyderabad incident I had strongly condemned the action of a few men who had only marred the name of Islam.

I would also like to request Taslima to ignore the Maulavis and Mollahs and do her own study of Islam. She was very badly treated in Bangladesh. But Mollahs do not make Islam.

Or for that matter Osama bin Laden. Should I blame the Hindus for Gujarat? Never. I would blame Modi and his state. I am too under pressure from Muslim priesthood but would it mean I shall denounce Islam? On the contrary I have come closer to Islam, the real Islam which is a religion of peace, love and compassion. Allah stands for justice and peace. If I do not believe in any of them, why preach Islam?

The incident yesterday will reinforce the stereotypes against Muslims as religion of intolerance, violence and lawlessness. But its false, is fake. It’s not the language of Islam but of power - of self-interest and political demagoguery. Islam only stands for peace and compassion.

As far as her citizenship issue is concerned I am not sure if Taslima has officially requested permanent citizenship in India. If she does I think the government must first go through the rules and regulations. And then should also fathom the mood of the people.

It has to be a considered decision. If too many people are unhappy about her residency in India then the government might reconsider whether inviting larger social disorder to accommodate an individual is really worth it.

(The writer is an Islamic scholar)