'They said we split India, then called us communal'

From The Indian Express
Malegaon, October 2: Two days after a bomb blast killed five Muslims in Maharashtra’s communally sensitive town of Malegaon and briefly sparked mob violence, the state police had said on Wednesday that it was nervous about namaaz on Eid as tens of thousands of devout were expected to gather and emotions could once again flare. What they got instead on Thursday were tears.
“First you pointed fingers at us, saying that we divided the country. Then you told us that we are communal, and now you tell us we are terrorists,” one of Malegaon’s most prominent clerics, Mufti Mohammed Ismail, said as he led 1.5 lakh people at namaaz at the Idgah Maidan in the textile town. And then he broke down in full public view, after condemning Monday night’s blast which hit the town after Muslims had broken their fasts.
His words struck a chord with many in the crowd and brought tears in their eyes too. While urging Muslim youth to have “better sense and a conscience”, the imam asked the Government and the police to ensure that innocent people were not rounded up as suspects.
Speaking of “secular politics”, he said, “Kaan khol ke sun lo, jo qaum tumhe takhto taj pe bitha sakti hai, wohi qaum tumhara janaaza bhi nikaal sakti hai.” (A community which can place you on a pedestal can also take out your funeral procession).
Hundreds of policemen guarded the venue as the imam touched on “callous investigations”, “innocent Muslims identified as terrorists” and of the lack of justice for the 2006 serial blasts which killed 37 people.
The idea of “an educated Muslim”, the imam said, was lost today as educated young men were picked up without evidence and then shown as involved in Terror activities. The prayer session ended with the imam asking the community to remain alert and help a “just investigation” if they get leads.
Meanwhile, the Collector visited the families of the five killed in the blasts and handed them compensation cheques of Rs 5 lakh each.
Comments
Crap by pari on 2008-10-03 12:15:09.617605+05:30 So many bombs have exploded in the past couple months where were these Imams. Not one of them condum this. Now they are feeling the head.Wht do you mean by innoncent muslim? Unless they are questiond how will you wether they involved or notLet us give craps to such staged managed dram

Imam's speach by Ajith Kumar on 2008-10-03 12:00:21.733116+05:30 I respect the emotion and real anger/anguish shown by the Imam.He is right in saying that Police have a habit of taking many-including innocents- to jail for interrogation etc wheneveran attack happens.With great respect may I point out to the noblecleric that it is his and the community's duty toguide the young onesand the little ones away from negative thinking about India and that it is only through real education they can achieve progress in the country.Dr.Kalam rose against all prejudices and weak financial back ground androse to become an International Authority on rocketry and nuclear energy and became the President of the Nation.He lived in a Brahmin dominated place-a fact which did not deter him inhis pursuit for glorytheir goals of

Justifying violence by observer on 2008-10-03 11:53:18.78409+05:30 What is the press talking about.......instead of trouble,the police got to see tears? Read the article carefully,Mufti Mohammed Ismail said,'the community that can put you on a pedestal can also take out your funeral!' These are threatening words by any stretch of imagination.And what does he have to say about innocent citizens being killed by terrorists who profess his faith?He is worried only about terror suspects from his community being picked up by the police.What does he expect,an equal number of the majority community should also be picked up?Fact is the authorities are cowed down by such blatant one sided statements and end up releasing even those against whom there is strong evidence.This leads to even more terror attacks since the perpetrators are emboldened to do anything and the more gory and heinous the better.Looks like the minority is going to take revenge for the Guj riots in perpetuity till there is no India left or an Emirate of India is established!

The communalists by Samar on 2008-10-03 11:34:13.838219+05:30 Their threatening tone reflects their medievalists mindset. Why don't these folks leave for their land, which they created for themselves in 1947?Pakistan really deserves these people of "peace."

Misunderstood minority? by indian on 2008-10-03 11:32:32.585391+05:30 Let us clarify one point at at time...is it not true that the vast majority of Muslims had voted for Pakistan in the interim govt prior to 1947?After Pak was a reality,most chose to stay on,citing Nehru and Gandhi's reassurances as an excuse.However,I say the present generation of Indian Muslims have been born after 1947 and it would be unfair to target them on this point,but facts cannot be altered.As far as the allegation of being communal is concerned,it is a fact the minority community always thinks in terms of 'us' and 'them' further contributing to the alienation from the mainstream.The us and them ideas are drilled into the head of every child at home which is a fact.Lastly, is it not a fact that 99% of those involved in terror acts belong to the minority community.Tell me large numbers of Christians,Hindus,Buddhists,Sikhs too have serious grievances against the govt,but the overwhelming majority of them choose to use legal and civil means to rectify the problems.Think again!

Useless Police and CBI by Anon on 2008-10-03 11:24:49.768448+05:30 Muslims are the culprits for most terrorism - its in their religion - simple.But on the other hand, our police is useless. Whenever there is a bomb, they just seem to round up the closest few people they can find. They dont show any evidence, and just try to drum up some people they can pin the crime on and look efficient.And whats more, the interrogation they use would make Guantanamo look like a holiday. And of course even if you were arrested, you would say anything for them to stop. So they can claim lots of confessions and success, while the real terrorists are escaping and bombing repeatedly. The police should be required to produce evidence before and arrest, and there should be 24 hour cc tv on all terrorism cells so we know any evidence is ligit.

Say no to terrorism by Umsh on 2008-10-03 11:02:06.805968+05:30 Muslims should come forward and say no to terrorism. It is easier to kill Muslims.

Selective amnesia by Hindu on 2008-10-03 10:58:52.060723+05:30 The bias of the anti-Hindu electronic English media is evident in the hyper excited reporting of the church attack. The likes of Girish Karnad, U R Ananthamurthy and Mahesh Bhatt Teesta Shabana Azmi Barka Dutt Sardesai know which side of their bread is buttered. Their selective amnesia is amusing. Did these raise any voice in support of amaranth pilgrims protest or against durga pooja protestThey never react on lakhs of Hindus being displaced from Kashmir or innumreous atrocities on hindus. These opportunists are no better than traitors of the past who are ready to sell the dignity of the country for their selfish gains.Do you know AP CM Rajashekar Reddy is a Christian


Indian
by Rajesh on 2008-10-03 13:44:58.703816+05:30 Hahaha, I thought Rajashekhar Reddy was a human being who has an Indian Citizenship. Thanks for the correction- but you should go to a correction centre.


seletive amnesia
by Mohan Daddikar on 2008-10-03 11:50:17.426719+05:30 The names of theworthies mentioned are nothing but pseudoseularists and are more dangerous than snakes in the grass. They know by being on the side of party in power, they can aspire to hold lucrative and sinecure posts with the blessing of Sonia gandhi.

News we can use by Aditya Kurve on 2008-10-03 10:24:48.530271+05:30 Kudos to our national newspapers both IE and TOI for posting such events in their headlines. A similar story of Muslims performaing Ram Leela has been posted by TOI on their websites. This is classic case of constructive jornalism. Such stories help in dousing the flames of vengeance and highlight the secular and peace loving attitude that majority Indians harbour. I heartily congratulate you for taking up this mission of spreading peace. Jai Hind

Terror and its impact by chanakya on 2008-10-03 10:17:56.97043+05:30 What is happening in many islamic countries is an answer to the questions. we in India are only trying to save innocent citizens irrespective of their religion.

One sided view by kishor on 2008-10-03 09:35:24.004782+05:30 Why these Imams do not bother to condemn islamist terrorist?

Cry 2 change Gov't but not Terrorism by Tillu on 2008-10-03 09:33:48.025447+05:30 We should cry to stop innocent blood rain, caused by Islamic Terrorism, not on investigation that dig out culpprest involved in blast


My comments (Supressed at http://www.indianexpress.com/news/they-said-we-split-india-then-called-us-com.../368934/)
How many hindus in North-East use non-violent methods? How Many Naxals in South India are Muslims? How many Gujjars in Central India are Muslims? How many South Indian Hindus are associated with LTTE? How many Sikhs used non-violent methods in Punjab in 1980s?This hatered is bred by the government and more so by commentators like you who have absoloutely no knowledge and understanding of what is going on.Please watch these videos on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTNBB94hDBw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gbWI8QHitA
More than a hundred thousand Muslims in Kashmir have been killed whether by millitants or by security forces. This is just a single instance of what was allowed to be taped. You cannot even imagine under what threat each kashmiri lives today since you dont even bother to see the actual picture and in all probabilty have not even seen an iota of reality.
I dont justify the blasts that are killing innocent people across the country today. But this is how our security forces are breeding rebels. They must be nominated for Paramveer Chakra.
PS: I am blogging the entire page at http://www.badamwaer.blogspot.com/ In case my comments are not published, I shall forward the entire pages to all print media. In past also, many of my comments have been "moderated"