Many think that Muslims lack patriotism and some try to paint a picture that all Indian Muslims are traitors. Let’s examine this serious allegation.
Patriotic Muslims
Indian Muslims have proof for their patriotism. Indian Muslims are the ONLY community in India that can claim with PROOF that they are Patriotic. You know how? Indian Muslim community is the ONLY community in India which had the option to choose between Pakistan and India. The MAJORITY (crores) of Muslims decided to stay back in India. Can there be a better proof of patriotism than this?
Muslims and Patriotism
Many think that Muslims are not patriotic or do not have loyalty to their country. These stereotypes are built on ignorance, prejudice, and negative media portrayals. Muslims, like the followers of other religions, have a strong sense of patriotism towards their country.
Contribution of Muslims to India’s Independence
Many Muslims have sacrificed their lives for our nation’s Independence Movement.
Did you know?
- The person who coined “Quit India” and “Simon, Go Back”, the two significant slogans of Freedom Movement, was a Muslim named Yusuf Meherally.
- The slogan “Jai Hind” that was widely used by Netaji Subash Chandra Bose was coined by a Muslim named Zain-ul Abideen Hasan. Hasan was also a commander of Indian National Army (INA) founded by Netaji Subash Chandra Bose.
- The person who coined the slogan “Inquilab Zindabad”, which inspired Shaheed Bhagat Singh, was a Muslim named Maulana Hasrat Mohani.
- The song “Sare Jahan se acha, Hindustan Hamara”, that was sung by one and all during Freedom Movement was written by a Muslim poet called Muhammad Iqbal.
Even today this patriotic song is played by the Indian Army and Navy bands during their beating retreat march.
List of Muslims who contributed to India’s Freedom Movement
The list of Muslims who contributed to India’s Freedom Movement is so long that it demands a book. A book was indeed written on this subject by Santimoy Roy with the name “Freedom Movement and Indian Muslims”, published by National Book Trust, Delhi.
Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs List – what does it tell us?
One of the most unforgettable and cruel incidents in the history of Independence is the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. All those who question the contribution of Muslims to India’s Freedom Movement, must look at the list of martyrs of that incident.
The British Officers serving in Punjab prepared a list of the martyrs and wounded people in Jallianwala Bagh massacre. This list was rediscovered and was found in four files of the Home Department of the British Government in Punjab. The list is filled with names that are Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs.
The Jallianwala Bagh incident also shows how Hindus and Muslims UNITEDLY fought for the freedom of our country. This is Patriotism! Contrast this with the actions of those who wrote apology letters to the British.
Do Indian Muslims love Pakistan?
Some believe that many Indian Muslims support Pakistan. Whenever there is an opportunity, an attempt is made to link Pakistan and Indian Muslims, to create an image that Indian Muslims have a soft corner for Pakistan because of Islam. One can also find many repeatedly making statements like “Go to Pakistan”.
If Indian Muslims loved Pakistan so much, why would they still stay in India and pay taxes for India?
Indian Muslims and many in Pakistan follow Islam BUT REMEMBER, Muslims in India are INDIAN Muslims and Muslims in Pakistan are PAKISTANI Muslims.
Just because of Islam, an Indian Muslim CANNOT vote or buy land in Pakistan or enjoy any rights of a Pakistani citizen. A bomb dropped by the Pakistani Air Force will not spare the Indian Muslims, because of their Islam. Every sane Indian Muslim understands this very well and always supports India.
Faith and Patriotism
Linking faith and patriotism is a big mistake. To give an example: Nepal is the ONLY Hindu country in the world. So, one would expect Nepal to be really friendly with India. What is the reality? Nepal has repeatedly snubbed India. Let’s look at some of the headlines related to that.
- “Nepal Snubs India, To Hold Joint Military Exercise With China”
- “Nepal snubs India, adopts constitution amid protests”
- “Himalayan snub for India as Nepal signs railway deal with China”
- “Nepal PM snubs India, to visit China first”
You will find so many headlines like the above. From the headlines, it must be clear that Nepal favours China more than India. Why will a Hindu country like Nepal favour a Communist country (China) over India? This is politics and national welfare! Faith is different and national welfare is different. Same applies to Indian Muslims and Pakistan as well.
Indian Muslims and Cricket
Many think that Indian Muslims always support Pakistan in cricket and therefore, are not patriotic. We should understand that a game or a sport can NEVER be a yardstick for patriotism. The players play the game for their passion & money and supporters watch the game for entertainment and fun. What makes cricket different from this? Nothing!
It is interesting to note that only the game of cricket is used to measure patriotism. Why not other sports? How about Hindus supporting Red Bull or McLaren Mercedes in F1 car racing instead of Force India? Should we now call these Hindus as unpatriotic?
If some people think that anything to do with Pakistan should be shunned, we would like to ask them about Hindu music lovers who love the songs of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Atif Aslam et al? Are they unpatriotic too? If Hindus in India who are music lovers of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Atif Aslam, et al are not unpatriotic, what makes them and music an exception? Music, Sports, Arts etc are beyond geographical boundaries and should NEVER be made yardsticks to measure patriotism.
We hope it should now be very clear that there is NO truth in the false propaganda that questions Indian Muslims and their patriotism to India.
