The current socio-political climate of India is a cause of concern for many people, but perhaps few people feel it as gravely as those who belong to religious minorities.
In this age of hate-fueled atmosphere, a young man’s post about what it is like to be a Muslim in current India, is a stark reminder of the times we’re living in. Aazar Anis commented about his upbringing, about being an atheist, and about the ‘religious identity’ he is made to identify with, in a post he shared on his Instagram page.
Aazar, who is an atheist, began his post by talking about how he belongs to an open-minded family – one that did not force him to follow a religious code of conduct.
I come from a fairly open-minded background. My name, given to me by Ayya (grandmother), is anti-Islamic. It means idol maker. I’ve never looked at myself as a Muslim. I don’t believe in god.
However, while he may have always thought of himself as more than just his religious identity, the world continued to remind him that he was a Muslim.
I have never seen myself as a Muslim. It’s somehow always been the world’s job to remind me. Be it my classmates who made me count down to Friday and then label it as my favourite day to the ones who would hug me ironically without it being Eid.
From facing discrimination (subtle and obvious) to the action-oriented reminder of how he was a Muslim first, and an Indian later, Aazar lived with the knowledge that ‘he did not belong here’.
It was also there in seemingly harmless jibes when acquaintances wished me a Happy Independence Day on 14th of August and told me they’re wearing green for me. I know that tone. It seems annoyed and friendly at the same time, like a reminder. And I can sum it up: ‘You don’t belong here’.
He ends his post by talking about how, imagining ‘dire consequences’ has become a daily activity for him. And, in the midst of seeing a harmful, bleak future, he raises a pertinent question to the government.
I now imagine dire consequences daily. A future where my friends turn away & my family is harmed. How can a government function properly when even an iota of the masses they rule over feel threatened for their lives and see no hope?
Many people commented on his post, either sharing their own stories, or offering support.
But, what Aazar’s story truly highlights is the ground reality of living in a world where hate has started to hold more sway than love and understanding.
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India appears to be moving towards a future where the intangible wave of intolerance is becoming stronger than the written words of the constitution we, as a country, should abide by.
