"How? How has it (and again what?) has worked to Pakistan's advantage? The last time I checked the theory that religion holds everything together was bamboozled long back."
I notice you always seem to have straw man arguments - which is fine - but just as long as you know that this transparency, makes the argument ineffective.
As long as the message to Indian muslims is "you can leave if you don't like it", it can only mean trouble for India - indian Muslims have no where to go, it's make or break right there in india - and that's a double edged sword, it invites a activism that can have unwelcome effects on the polity as some hindus imagine it.
In fact this is already happening. And you can take it or leave it, but I honestly cannot recall meeting Indian muslim who did not voice concerns about what they feel as discrimination, from schools to credit card applications to loans -- caution, what goes up must come down.
As far as Pakistan is concerned religion does not hold all, it is being used to disintegrate the nation by the very ardent tree hugging (metaphorical) Islamists and none can do a damn about it since Islam is supreme and none dare challenge its misuse.
There is no question of Indian Islamic followers leaving India. It is their country as it is of any other Indian. And none can give such a writ.
Religion cannot rule in India. That is what even Vajpayee understood and he distanced himself from the RSS and the idiotic VHP.
As I have said elsewhere, the Islamic people, more so the illiterates, always feel that world is discriminating against them unless the world gives into their demands. Why has Islam got a bad name? It is because of the radicals. Are there no Moderate amongst Islam? They speak, but the din of the radicals overpowers and fades the voice of the Moderates. Therefore, nothing unusual if people of the Islamic faith you have met, complain. The Hindus complain, the Christians complain and they all complain. And yet, none cares about the Nation or kicking their radicals in the teeth!
Look at Paksitan. Who is forcing its destiny? The radicals who congregate at the Red Mosque and bequeathed their children to Jihad and clown like Mehsud and Farkarullah!
They are holding the progress of Pakistan and its prosperity at ransom!
They are pulling Pakistan down into decadence!
Rise Pakistan and fight these anti national forces!
Don't be moribund and allow these Merchants of Powerlust misusing religion and giving it a bad name.
Be men!!
