What hope do Indian Muslims have when the judges themselves start spewing venom? When will the politics of hatred end?

New Delhi: The speech of Allahabad High Court judge, Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav has sparked a debate. Objectionable comments were allegedly made against the Muslim community in Shekhar Yadav’s speech at an event of Vishwa Hindu Parishad. After this incident, many prominent citizens have written letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him/her to stop the rising communal tension and politics of hate. The judge’s speech has further heightened the concerns of a class which is already grappling with a sense of fear and oppression. he/she believes that hatred is continuously increasing and every day some new provocative incident is happening.

New debate sparked by judge’s speech

Justice Yadav had given this speech at a program organized by Vishwa Hindu Parishad. VHP is a right-wing organization associated with the RSS, which is considered the parent organization of the BJP. A High Court judge speaking at a program of such an organization and allegedly giving controversial statements is a matter of concern for many people. Justice Yadav said in his/her speech that India will run only according to the wishes of the ‘majority’. he/she addressed a section of Muslims as ‘fanatics’ and said that the minority community is ‘fatal’ for the country. his/her speech is available online.

Controversial statement given in the ‘temple’ of justice

Justice Yadav gave this speech in the library hall of the court, where he/she dispenses justice. he/she also talked about the innate differences between Hindu and Muslim children. he/she said, “We (Hindus) are taught all this. Maybe that’s why we are tolerant and giving. It hurts us to see someone else’s pain. But you (Muslims) don’t feel it. Why? Because our Children, from the time they are born, are pushed towards God, they recite mantras and Vedas and they are told about non-violence, but in your culture, children are taught about killing of animals right from their childhood. is told in How do you expect the child to be tolerant and generous?”

What could be worse than this?

This question has been raised many times before. The same question was asked when BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma made controversial remarks about Prophet Mohammad. This question was also raised when the government decided to release the convicts of Bilkis Bano rape. However, his/her release was later stayed by the Supreme Court. This question was also asked when BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri attacked his/her colleague Danish Ali in Parliament and called him/her a ‘terrorist’. This question was also asked when a video showed a man brutally beating children and forcing them to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’.

Letter written to PM to end hatred

Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Qureshi thought of his/her 13 and 16 year old grandchildren after watching this video. he/she and several other distinguished citizens, including both Hindus and Muslims, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. he/she urged the Prime Minister to resolve the growing communal tension and end the politics of hatred. The letter, written on November 30, points out the difference between the current situation and events that happened in the past. The letter says, ‘It is not that communal relations have always been good. The horrific memories of Partition, the conditions it led to and the tragic riots that followed remain etched in our minds. We also know that even after Partition, our country has been rocked by horrific communal riots from time to time and the situation now is no better or worse than before.

‘State governments show favoritism’

The letter further said, ‘However, the events of the last 10 years are different in that they clearly show the partisan role of many concerned state governments and their administrative machinery. We believe this is unprecedented. The letter points to several examples – calls by right-wing groups to conduct archaeological surveys on medieval mosques and dargahs, bulldozing of Muslim houses and lynching of people suspected of possessing beef.

‘Hatred is being continuously promoted’

Hate is being continuously promoted. The latest report by Hindutva Watch in Washington detailed data for the first six months of 2023. Based on news outlets and verified social media handles, it analyzes calls for social and economic boycott. The report also found that most of the speeches containing references to ‘love jihad’, ‘business jihad’ and ‘land jihad’ were given by RSS affiliates.

Request to PM to call a meeting of people from both sides

Qureshi and his/her other colleagues, including retired civil servants and diplomats, have requested the Prime Minister to convene an inter-religious meeting to reiterate his/her and his/her government’s commitment to India’s secular and pluralistic values. The question is, will he/she do it? Another friend, also disappointed, believes that ‘we are losing the India in which we were born and which we love so much.’

Former ambassador also included among those who wrote the letter

Signatories to the letter to the Prime Minister include names like Shiv Mukherjee and Madhu Bhaduri, both former Indian ambassadors. While they wait for the Prime Minister’s response, it is important to see what action the Supreme Court will take on Yadav’s speech. Hate requires immediate treatment for the short-term and the future. The Supreme Court order to stop all surveys of mosques for four weeks is a welcome step, but more than a short pause, we need a full pause.