http://www.kaumudi.com/news/042406/special.stm
Yet we must distinguish between the saffron forces and the vast mass of Hindus. I am convinced most Hindus are good and secular at heart. I say this, even though most Gujarati Hindus surrendered to their hate in 2002 and few have shown any remorse. Nevertheless how do we ignore geographical reality? The 150 million Muslims and the 850 million Hindus, live side by side, in almost all the towns and villages of India. It is impossible to separate them. This basic truth has to be accepted by both sides. Muslims must reach out to Hindus. Our words and deeds must never be such that it alienates Hindus Their goodwill is essential, as we struggle to give our community a place of honour in the Indian sun. We must learn to see national and world problems in a larger perspective. To expect our foreign policy to be centered on Iran is plain myopic. However angry we may be with President Bush, to oppose his visit so vehemently, at a time, when vital national interests were involved, is self destructive. Similarly we have to condemn the Holy Prophet’s cartoons. But to attack property here, to spite the cartoonist in Denamrk is horrifying.. We must be wise enough to see through the gimmicks played by politicians. It is disgusting that these worthies view Muslims as so easily amenable to
emotional lollipops.
Finally a word about high Muslim dignitaries. We have had three Muslim Presidents, a Vice President, three Chief Justices, countless Governors and Cabinet Ministers. Yet shockingly they have had almost no impact on the Muslim mass. Why? With great persuasion I have taken some of these dignitaries to address Muslims inside mohallas. But they end up speaking on Ambedkar or Sardar Patel. They could so easily have spoken on education, with references to The Holy Prophet. It would have endeared them to the Muslim audience. But somehow they are frightened about any action or word that may provoke a minority appeasement charge.. President Kalam is a most distinguished man. He gives high priority for interaction with children. In December 2003, I personally urged him to visit a very good school, run by a Muslim trust in Vadodara.
Half the students are Hindus. This school was organizing a Gujarat Science Fair, in which students from all over the state were participating. Further it was dedicated to President Kalam’s guru, Vikram Sarabhai. His widow was to participate. The President refused, and his Secretary curtly told me, that the President has visited Gujarat recently, and cannot come again. Imagine my shock, when just 20 days later, he visited a Gujarat Swaminarayan gurukul. I write this more in sorrow, for there is so much these high dignitaries could do, to calm Muslim fears and increase their emotional attachment to the country. By avoiding the Muslim mass, they lose all credibility. Worse they make it possible for political charlatans and even criminals to project themselves as the protectors of the community.