Hate speeches, love jihad, talaaq discussed in Muslim Rashtriya Manch conference

Concerns over hate speeches by politicians, propaganda by Hindu right-wingers against education imparted in madarsas, and opposition to the sacrifice of animals in Bakr-Id. These were some of the issues raised by participants in the state-level conference of the RSS affiliated Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), which was attended by senior Sangh functionary Indresh Kumar.

The MRM is the only organisation for Muslims in the Sangh Parivar, and has Kumar as its chief margadarshak (guide). Kumar, who was questioned by the CBI in the 2007 Mecca Masjid blasts, however made a strong pitch against cow slaughter, stressed on the need for men to divorce the 'bottle rani' (liquor) instead of their wives, prevent female foeticide and rapes, adding that Hindus and Muslims shared the same roots and ancestry.

Kumar also said that the Hindu identity was not one based on religion, but on nationality and citizenship and "tensions would decrease once this was understood."

Lauding prime minister Narendra Modi's statement about Indian Muslims willing to live and die for the country, Maulana Israr Bakai, a Sunni cleric, said they were willing to shed every drop of blood for India. However, he urged Kumar to communicate to the government that "leaders who want to divide Hindustan through fasad (violence) must be banned."

Stressing that Muslims of India wanted peace, Bakai said Modi needed to restrain such leaders from making inflammatory statements. He also lamented that some organisations chose to intervene only when kurbani (slaughter) was to be offered at Bakri-Id and seize animals being brought to the city, and not otherwise.

Maulana Ali Abbas Umadd, a Shia cleric from Panvel, quoted Kuranic surahs to stress that these seminaries taught humanity and that the blood of people should not be shed. "From independence till today, around 23,000 riots have taken place in which lakhs have died and property worthy crores has been destroyed," said Kumar, adding that he had in the past stressed for "a riots-free Hindustan."

Kumar noted that while religions did not preach hatred, men did. He also spoke out against slaughter of cows and said the longest chapter in the Quran was named after the animal. "If a cow was meant for sacrifice, then why has it been given an important place in the Quran?" he asked.

When asked about the campaign against 'love jihad', Kumar said it was wrong to assume fake religious identities and use religion to fulfil carnal desires and said that since all religions were the same, conversions must stop.

"We are faithful to the nation. We are not tenants, but also the owners," said Abbasbhai Bohra, co-convenor, MRM. He added that some elements did not want Hindus and Muslims to live in peace and slammed vote-bank politics.