- Despite masquerading itself as a democratic nation, India continues to infringe upon the human rights of Muslims.
- This week, Muslims were viciously attacked by Hindutva mobs for slaughtering meat during Eid al-Adha. Additionally, a video showed a Hindu priest biting a live goat’s face without any consequences.
The initial significant Islamic expansion into India occurred under the Umayyad Dynasty of caliphs, headquartered in Damascus. In 711, the Umayyads designated Muhammad bin Qasim, a 17-year-old from Ta’if, to extend their authority into India (modern day Indo-Pak region).
Islam proliferated in coastal Indian urban centres through both migration and conversion.
Islam has long been interwoven into the fabric of Indian society, from its Mughal reign to the enduring beauty of its architecture cherished today.
Despite India’s claim to be a democratic nation today, it frequently curtails the rights of Indian Muslims to freely practice their faith. We consistently observe incidents of cow vigilantism, mosque demolitions, lynching, violent assaults targeting Muslims, systematic exclusion from employment opportunities, minority human rights being violated, and the free speech of Muslims being suppressed.
The Rig Veda and Sama Veda refer to the cow as “aghnya” and “Aditi,” meaning it should not be harmed or killed: (RV. 1-64-27; 5-83-8; 7-68-9; 1-164-40; 8-69-2; 9-1-9; 9-93-3; 10-6-11; 10-87-16). Hindus laud that cow’s milk purifies the mind and keeps it free from sin. Consequently, the cow is worshipped in Hinduism.
Interestingly, historians argue that during the era of the Rig Veda (the oldest Hindu sacred text dating to around 1500 B.C), consumption of cow meat was practiced by Hindus. Similar to other pastoral societies, Vedic Indians typically consumed castrated steers, reserving females for ceremonial occasions such as rituals or the reception of esteemed guests.
This week, we witnessed Muslims being attacked by Hindutva mobs for slaughtering cows or being suspected of doing so during Eid al-Adha, a religious practice for Muslims in which ethically slaughtered meat is subsequently distributed to the poor.
Source: Instagram- ‘countering.islamophobia’
Indian Muslims refrain from imposing their religious beliefs on others through mob-like behaviour. As minorities, they seek to peacefully pursue their daily lives.
A disturbing video also making rounds on social media this week depicts a Hindu priest biting into the face of a goat that remains visibly alive, its tail seen wagging:
Numerous users on X have reacted to the video, labelling it as satanic:
Interestingly, animal rights organisations do not appear to be concerned with this barbaric practice. Furthermore, the Hindutva movement doesn’t seem perturbed by it. While we understand that the cow holds a supreme status in Hinduism and is worshipped by Hindus, surely this cruel treatment of a living animal deserves acknowledgment?
