Defining Freedom for Indian Muslims: A Complex Journey of Faith and Rights

MODERN INDIA AND THE CONCEPT OF FREEDOM

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments By narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms toward perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

These lines are written by the great Indian poet and philosopher, Rabindranath Tagore.

He expresses the pain of a country that has been oppressed and colonized by another. The poem speaks about humanity, love for truth, and knowledge, highlighting India’s rich cultural history of devotion to truth. It also prays to the Supreme Lord to keep a kind watch over the country.

There is nothing in this poem that offends any religion or the sentiments of any religious group. However, some Indian Muslims believe that the words in this poem clash with the Islamic culture they follow, which they feel makes it hurts their religious sentiments.

The Constitution of India clearly defines the country as a secular state. This means that the government will not promote any particular religion and will treat all religious groups with equal respect.

It ensures that all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs, are provided with equal opportunities and protection under the law. The idea of secularism in India aims to create an environment where people of different religions can live together harmoniously, free from discrimination based on their faith.

The Expansionist Nature of Islam: A Legacy of Arabian Imperialism

Many Muslims in India feel that the secular constitution goes against the core beliefs of Islam. They believe that the Aasmani Kitab (Quran) is the highest authority, above all other laws.

Seeking Freedom But from the Indian Constitution?

Indian Muslims want disputes to be resolved under Islamic law, but this is not possible in a progressive democracy. Imagine if every religious group—Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, and Buddhists—started demanding special rights based on their faith.

This would create chaos, weaken India’s constitutional framework, and lead to anarchy.

To keep the country united, the Constitution must remain supreme. However, many Muslims believe the Constitution is man-made and instead follow the Koran. Muslim organizations and religious leaders even advocate for others to accept the supremacy of Islam.

The Illusion of Islamic Rule: A False Hope for Indian Muslims

Many Muslims in India still believe that Muslim countries, especially those in the Gulf, will help them turn India into a Muslim nation.

Their demands rarely include good education, clean drinking water, or better hospitals. Instead, they see non-Islamic rule as the root of all their problems. Because of this belief, they often oppose democracy and the government at every opportunity.

Madrasas and Their Role in Spreading Religious Supremacy

Madrasas:

Maulanas and Maulvis, who guide people on religious matters, are all educated in madrasas. The curriculum in these madrasas has remained unchanged since the time of Aurangzeb, a ruler known for destroying Hindu temples and imposing taxes on Hindus.

Though madrasas claim to provide modern education, this is mostly for show to mislead government agencies. In reality, they focus on spreading religious teachings that often promote a rigid and fanatical ideology. Instead of fostering harmony, madrasas are fueling division and hatred in society.

Sharia Law: Their Ultimate Answer to Every Problem

Some Muslims in India view Aurangzeb’s reign as the “Golden Age” of Islam. They believe that, according to Islamic law, an Islamic state should be established in India because they consider Hindus, the native people, as a defeated civilization and an inferior race. They think Muslims must have rule over them.

TO INDIAN MUSLIMS I WANT TO ASK ONLY ONE QUESTION. 

In the recent all-India Muslim conference, why did they not open their mouths on the Kashmir issue? Why did you not condemn the action of Pakistan? These things create doubts in the mind of people. So as a friend of Muslims, I want to say a word and it is the duty of a good friend to speak frankly. It is your duty now to sail in the same boat and sink or swim together. I want to tell you very frankly that you cannot ride on two horses. Select one horse whichever you like best. Those who want to go to Pakistan can go there and live in peace! Let us live here in peace to work for ourselves...... 

  Sardar Patel 6th January 1948 

Sardar Patel’s words remain relevant today: the nation is supreme, and respecting its sovereignty is essential. Muslims in India must recognize and accept the country as paramount, upholding its unity and integrity above all else. National unity and respect for the Constitution should always be prioritized, fostering peace and progress for all citizens.