Today's entry is being made with a half-hour time limit, for I have discovered that studying 6 subjects in 23 days is going to be...well, unimaginable. Two points must be made before I proceed:

1. There were 5 probables today. Out of them, this one was chosen due to the "one blog a week" policy I have chosen to judiciously follow. The other 4, sadly, might never see the light of day.
2. This entry promises to court controversy.

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There have been two big news last week- the Red Fort sentences, and the retaliatory bomb blasts in Delhi. And as with each terrorist incident, you could not miss noticing that each involved person is a Muslim. Every time anyone might read any terrorism related incident in the papers, watch a report on TV, atleast 9 times out of 10, there will be Muslims involved in it. This is the premise of the entry. Trust me, I have nothing against Muslims, and there is nothing derogatory about them here on. But if you feel, that religious sentiments might be hurt, do not read further. If you believe in free exchange of thoughts and ideas, read on.

My objectives in making this entry on the eve of Id festivities may be questionable, but I harbour no ill will. I have simply not been brought up to think that Muslims are a challenge to Hindus, or that we must be combative to them. I am not a religious zealot, or a bigot, not even a devout Hindu. But certain matters must be raised, sensitive or otherwise.

Practically everywhere in the world today, all terrorist activities involve Muslims in one form or the other. No fewer than 80% (a conservative figure) of all such activities originate within Islamic nations and organisations. Be it in Kashmir, Afghanistan, Palestine, Egypt, Chechnya, or wherever you would care to look. Being secular as we are (no sarcasm here), we tend to turn a blind eye to the fact that only Muslim names seem to turn up everywhere. Muslim clerics are usually prompt in denouncing these attacks, and statements are made that terrorists belong to no religion. The way I look at it, this is no more than eyewash.

Given that many Muslims (particularly in India) do not support these dastardly actions. Indeed, as in Delhi, they are often equally affected by these incidents. But Muslim society must somewhere on the whole, sit up and take notice of this. That there does exist somewhere, an intrinsic flaw in its constitution. As many vocal supporters as may exist, there are many who are not particularly expressive of their support, but provide it covertly to nefarious activities.

Why is this happening? I can hardly claim to have seen Muslim society up close, for I have only a couple of Muslim friends, just acquaintances infact, and a very talented junior. But from what I can make out, I think it is the resistance to change which is costing them dear. News reports from Pakistan on women being raped by in-laws, on the education being provided in madrassas. The whole Yousuf Yohana incident which smacks of coercion.  The general refusal to move on to more progressive ways, a multicultural society which demands that no person can keep an entirely separate identity.

Imagine what would have happened if Hindus had insisted on child marriage, and learning the Vedas (which the RSS and VHP, no doubt, still want to happen), where would we be now? Fact is, most of out generation is proud of our identity, culture and religion; but we desist from carrying it on our sleeves. We dont believe so much in temples and rituals. I am supposedly a Brahmin, but I havent been baptised, rarely visit temples, and eat non-vegetarian food. The world is moving fast, and although we should not lose our identity, we absolutely cannot expect it to be imposed on others.

My dad has another theory going. Islam is the newest new religion around, and historically all new religions have been aggressive, so that they could spread quickly. This is normally seen in the first thousand or so years. Trouble is, Islam has come up at such a time, that the dynamics of an ever-changing world simply do not allow this!

Why, again, have I brought up this issue? For, this issue in all probability is the most important one of our times. Hindus suffer from terrorism in India, Christians in the US and UK, Jews in Israel, why even Muslims in Egypt! That Egypt was attacked examplifies the regressed outlook, that even a progressive Muslim nation should not be spared. The foreseeable future will, at this rate, see an all-out war between Muslims and the rest of the world. And this war is assured to end in Armaggedon.

Sensitive as it may be, the time is rife for a free, frank, and comprehensive debate on the issue. Our usual way- pretending that the problem does not exist, and then wishing that it somehow dies its own death - will not throw up any solutions. For once, lets accept that there is a problem. And then think about working out a solution.

Let me re-state. The objective is not to hurt any sentiments. The objective is to progress. To survive in harmony. If anyone at all has a strong counterview, please write back. I would love to debate this.

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