Religious Intolerance: Way to Eliminate Religious Extremism in  The Light of Islam and Gandhian Approach

Syed Fahad  Hussain

doi:10.48165/sajssh.2022.3406

Authors

Syed Fahad Hussain Research Scholar Department of Social Work, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/sajssh.2022.3406

Keywords:

Hindutva, Intolerance, Populism, Democracy, Gandhian Approach, RSS

Abstract

India is the largest democracy globally; however, right-wing populism has led to a dramatic shift in India's political landscape, particularly for religious minorities and Dalits. Discrimination, abusive slurs, or news of violence against people in this group should not be tolerated even for a single day. "Hindutva" ideology, or "Hindu nationalism," advocates violence against Muslims and views them as outsiders and potential threats to the country's security. That has created a sense of feeling unsafe for Muslims in their own country and an unending wave of intolerance spread by the progenies of the RSS. In light of the Holy Quran and Gandhian approach, this paper defines the type of religious intolerance and how it is spreading and damaging the social fabric of the society and suggests ways to combat religious intolerance.

References

Admin. (2017, November 27). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Respect and Understanding Towards Other Religions. Muslim inspires. https://musliminspire.com/prophet muhammad-pbuh-respect-understanding-towards-religions/

Baloach, A. G., Saifee, A.-R., Khalid, I., & Gull, I. (2012). The Teaching of the Holy Prophet to Promote Peace and Tolerance in an Islamic Social Culture. European Journal of Social Sciences, 31(1), 36–41.

BBC. (2015, October 1). Why India man was lynched over beef rumours. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-34409354

Census Organisation. (2011). Census 2011. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

Collins Dictionary. (n.d.). Religious Intolerance. In Collins Dictionary. Harper Collins Publisher.

Firstpost. (2015, October 20). Two children of a Dalit family burnt alive in Haryana in an attack by upper caste men-India News, Firstpost. Firstpost. https://www.firstpost.com/india/two-children-of-a-dalit-family-burnt-alive-in haryana-in-an-attack-by-upper-caste-men-2475756.html

Indian Express. (2015, October 27). Here are the 33 writers who returned their Sahitya Akademi awards. The Indian Express. https://indianexpress.com/photo news/india/here-are-the-33-writers-who-returned-their-sahitya-akademi-awards/

Indian Express. (2017, June 28). What is the "Not in My Name" protest? Indian Express. https://indianexpress.com/article/what-is/what-is-the-not-in-my-name-protest lynching-junaid-khan-4725668/

Mazumdar, B. (2003a). Gandhiji on COMMUNAL HARMONY (1st ed.). Meghshaym T. Ajgaonkar, Executive Secretary Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya. https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/gandhiji_on_communal_harmony.pdf

Mazumdar, B. (2003b). Gandhiji on COMMUNAL HARMONY (1st ed.). Meghshaym T. Ajgaonkar, Executive Secretary Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya. https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/gandhiji_on_communal_harmony.pdf

Mazumdar, B. (2003c). Gandhiji on COMMUNAL HARMONY (1st ed.). Meghshaym T. Ajgaonkar, Executive Secretary Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya. https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/gandhiji_on_communal_harmony.pdf

Ministry of Minority affairs. (2008). Report of the Expert Group on Diversity Index. In www.minorityaffairs.gov.in.

https://www.minorityaffairs.gov.in/sites/default/files/di_expgrp_1.pdf

Pew Research Centre. (2017). Pew Research Centre, April 11, 2017, "Global Restrictions on Religion Rise Modestly in 2015, Reversing Downward Trend. In www.pewresearch.org. Pew Research Centre. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact tank/2018/06/21/key-findings-on-the-global-rise-in-religious-restrictions/

Panicker, P. J. (2001). GANDHIAN APPROACH TO COMMUNALISM IN CONTEMPORARY INDIA. Kottaytam: Shodhganga.

Press Trust of India. (2016, January 28). Ghulam Ali's Mumbai Concert Cancelled for a Second Time. NDTV. Ghulam Ali's Mumbai Concert Cancelled for a Second Time

Robinson, B. A. (2009, April 21). Religious Intolerance. Religious Tolerance. http://www.religioustolerance.org/relintol1.htm

Sacchar, J. R. (2006). Social, Economic and Educational Status of the Muslim Community in India. In Ministry of Minority affairs. Government of India. https://minorityaffairs.gov.in/en/document/sachar-committee-report/complete-sachar committee-reportenglish-2006-6655-kb

The Hindu. (2016, June 12). Chicago Address. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/chicago-address/article4299163.ece

The Holy Quran. (n.d.). Al-Kafirun the Disbelievers. Quran.com. Retrieved December 8, 2021, from https://quran.com/109

Wikiquote. (2013, October 11). Talk: Mahatma Gandhi. Wikiquote. https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Talk:Mahatma_Gandhi.