During my latest visit to India, I was able to interact with common Muslims in various cities, and asked them on life these days in the Hindu Rashtra. Their comments are being reproduced here so that readers have an insight on the current thoughts of Indian Muslims. These are random people you would meet during your daily interaction, but almost all are from the low-skilled service sector. The comments were offered in mostly Hindi/Urdu, but have been translated and edited for easier reading.
I asked three questions to all:
- How is their life in the current situation (covid/economy etc)?
- How have they been treated in India by Hindus?
- How do they see their future?
Shoaib, Lounge Manager: Life was always hard in India. You had to always have a source to get things done. Now you need a Muslim source, because Hindus are just unwilling to help us.
(When asked about the future) – There is no future for us in India. We can just hope for the best for us from Allah
Mushtaq, Taxi driver: Covid has wiped out our savings and our daily income has dropped. We are just surviving by the grace of Allah.
(When asked if Hindus discriminate against him as customers) – some do…it is so obvious….but what can we do. But Allah will provide.
(When asked about the future) – Doesn’t look good, but Allah will provide.
Khaleel, shopkeeper (lower income clientele) – Business has started to pick up.
(When asked if Hindus avoid his store) – Not sure, I am sure some of them do. After all, they hate us, so not unexpected.
(When asked about the future) – GST has ruined our business. Government has ruined the economy. But there seems to be no end in sight because government will keep playing the Hindu-Muslim divide.
Danish, South Indian restaurant owner (serving mostly lower income clientele) – Municipal officials still expect bribes even though we have no income. We are just surviving. Now you just don’t argue with those who come for bribe, because you are Muslim, they can enforce any rule or law on you.
(When asked if Hindus avoid his restaurant) – Doesn’t think so. Most of his customers are Hindu.
(When asked about the future) – Can’t think of any future when you keep getting harassed for bribes.
Umar, appliance repairman – Business is good because appliances keep breaking.
(When asked if Hindus avoid his business) – All the time. When he goes to their home, he can tell what will happen within the first few seconds. The person will see his name and either invite him in, or tell him to wait outside while they call his company and ask for a different repairman.
(When asked about the future) – Looking to move somewhere in the Middle East. There is no future in India.
Sana, Real Estate agent – Business has been bad. It started with Demonetization and then GST and now Covid.
(When asked if Hindus discriminated against her) – All the time. Most of her clients are Muslim and it is very difficult to find them a residence among Hindus. Hindus from Bengal and South are more accommodating of Muslim renters.
(When asked about the future) – Not sure what to say. I hope this government gets voted out. Things will get worse before they get better.
Arif, electrician – Business is slow, difficult to manage family. Everything is expensive now.
(When asked if Hindus avoid him as a vendor) – Not sure, probably do. He says he gets most of his business from a general contractor, who is a Muslim.
(When asked about the future) – Not sure. Everything is getting expensive day by day. Allah will provide.
Ziauddin, Butcher – Business has been terrible. Difficult to get animals and prices have gone up and customers are unwilling to pay.
(When asked if Hindus avoid him as a vendor) – His clients are all Muslim, so cannot say.
(When asked about the future) – Business is difficult. Many of his friends have left this business. He will keep doing it because he doesn’t know anything else.
When talking to Muslim professionals – people who are working in established companies in management or technical positions, their outlook was less positive and more dire.
- Everyone said they do not discuss politics in the office, because everyone is pro-BJP and dislikes Muslims. One remarked that anti-Muslim comments are passed knowing fully that Muslims can hear them.
- Most could not understand why Hindus hate them and believe all the propaganda and lies spewed on WhatsApp against them. They were amazed how smart and educated Hindus in well to do positions believe anything on WhatsApp.
- No one had any faith in the government or institutions to make things better for Muslims. No one had any faith in the political process.
- No one thinks that the BJP can be defeated. For most, they had already accepted that the BJP will be the single ruling party for the foreseeable future.
- No one expected things to get better for Muslims. Everyone was sort of expecting things to get a lot worse before it gets better.
- Everyone had the realization that they represented the cream of Muslim society to be fortunate enough to land such jobs.
- Everyone was waiting for an opportunity to migrate from India. “We have no future in this country” was a common phrase I heard again and again.
- Everyone was expecting further laws to be passed to harass Muslims.
- Everyone spoke glowingly of the following – Bengalis, Sikhs, Tamils and Malayalis – that these were the only people who had not been corrupted by the scourge of Hindutva.
The above, is of course, not meant to be representative of the entire Muslim community, but provides a good insight in the current mood of the community - one of despair and little hope for the future.
