http://expressbuzz.com/biography/disrespect-for-religion-in-demolition/208528.html
*Disrespect for religion in demolition * Omar Khalidi <http://expressbuzz.com/searchresult/omar-khalidi> First Published : 21 Sep 2010 12:17:00 AM IST Last Updated : 21 Sep 2010 12:24:38 AM IST *Almost every literate Indian has heard of alleged temple desecration and destruction at the hands of “Muslim invaders” in the medieval era. Hindutva propagandists see temple destruction in stark communal terms, perceiving such vandalism as straightforward evidence of Muslim iconoclasm. Academic historians, on the other hand, view that temple demolition in India is not an original Muslim contribution to Indian history.* *First, long before Muslims arrived, various kings destroyed each other’s dynastic deities as part of post-conquest delegitimisation of the foe. Second, during Muslim rule, some temples built with state revenue or on state land were indeed demolished when some Hindu subjects associated with the temples rebelled, but such acts cannot be termed Muslim iconoclasm.* * * *Besides, Hindu masons and stone carvers built some of the earliest Indian mosques, which the propagandists mistake for spoilage of ancient temples. Historical evidence suggests that sometimes Muslims commissioned architectural elements to be made. As Indian masons were unfamiliar with Islamic art, they carved, painted or inscribed artistic elements they knew best regardless of who the patron was.* * * *Sometimes, early Muslim rulers adapted building material of abandoned temples for use in Muslim monuments — all of which suggests a readiness to tap local building talent and materials rather than disrespect for ancient Indian building tradition.* * * *What is the record of secular India in protecting sacred sites and unfettered construction of new ones? Leaving aside the cases of the Golden Temple (1984); demolition of Babri Masjid (1992), and the army-militant clash in 1995 that demolished Charar-i Sharif in Kashmir, data on mosque destruction and adverse possession is grim.* * * *In the old Punjab state comprising Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal and Punjab, 12,000 mosques have been destroyed or turned into temples, houses, shops, cattle pens, and worse. The destruction and adverse possession of the mosques are often justified as retaliation for what happened to temples and gurdwaras in Pakistani Punjab in 1947.* * * *Politicians block the return of mosques to their original purpose on the flimsy ground that Muslim population is absent. But that is no longer the case, as Muslim migrants from Bihar and UP are found almost everywhere in Punjab as farm labour.* * * *In the former princely states of Alwar and Bharatpur, the fate of numerous mosques is similar to that of neighbouring Punjab. Hundreds of mosques in Delhi were destroyed at the time of Independence, “avenging” attacks on Lahore temples and gurdwaras.* *Every major bout of post-1947 collective violence exacted a toll of mosques and associated shrines: 55 mosques were seized in Madhya Pradesh as reported in 1979; the 1989 Bhagalpur carnage destroyed 57; and the December 1990 Hyderabad violence took a toll of 77 Muslim buildings. The 2002 Gujarat pogrom saw 236 mosques, dargahs and other sacred sites being demolished. None have been rebuilt, not even the tomb of Wali Deccani, the 17th century poet who sang praises of Gujarat.* * * *There are two further ways through which Muslims have been denied access to their places of worship. The Archaeological Survey of India prohibits worship in as many as 118 mosques under its control. Except in mosques in territories comprising Nizam’s Hyderabad, prayers have been prohibited in the ASI-controlled mosques since the early twentieth century. The ASI theoretically took control of the mosques to protect them when there was no population using them, but demographic changes since then justify opening the mosques for worship — their primary purpose.* * * *The Union cabinet in 1979 agreed to lift the ban on worship in ASI-controlled mosques. One can only surmise that it has gone back on its word, as evidenced by the Muslims’ recurring attempts to offer collective namaz in the mosques.* * * *As if the ASI restrictions were not enough, Hindutva proponents led by former Union cabinet minister Arun Shourie compiled a list of some 2,000 mosques, dargahs and such structures which are claimed to be former Hindu temples. Included in this list are some of the most revered shrines.* * * *Are the Hindutva pamphleteers’ claims on Islamic shrines harmless fantasy? Not if you see a pattern of Hindutva actions — beyond words and the process through which the state acquiesces to the actions.* * * *Hindutva outfits converted Jama Masjid in ASI-protected Daulatabad Fort in 1948 into a Bharat Mata Mandir by installing idols in the mihrab of the medieval mosque. Since then a pattern is discernible. Any “Muslim” building or site can be claimed by mere assertion that its architecture or building material resembles “Hindu” features or is built atop a “Hindu” site.* * * *Thus in 1970, a Bhagya Laxmi temple began to protrude out of the ASI protected Charminar. In 1980, Ale Narendra, MP, publicly threatened to convert Charminar into a Hindu temple, while B G Keskar wanted Mecca Masjid to be blown up. Once idols are installed in mosques or dargahs, puja begins. The state authorities succumb to political pressure. Gradually, the Islamic character of the mosques is erased and symbols of Hinduism are inscribed.* * * *Often, state authorities disallow mosque construction if Hindus object. The ban on mosque construction happens not only in remote villages but also in the national capital. That, in sum, is the pattern and process of erasing Islam, inscribing Hindutva to make India Islam-free.* * * *Proponents of Hindutva may hate Islam, but they emulate what they think are their enemies’ ways.* * * *Hyderabad-born, MIT-based **Omar Khalidi is the author of Muslims in Indian Economy, 2006, and Khaki and Ethnic Violence in India, 2010* * * -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "humanrights movement" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/humanrights-movement?hl=en.
