Imam Hussain and Atal Bihari Vajpayee

BJP Leader &Ex- Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Muharram Mirror is primarily a blog dedicated to Hussaini Ideology, Muharram rituals, Sufism and Islamic Heritage. Of late, some Hindu fanatics have started targeting the blog in view of its mission to preserve and promote the Hussaini Mission. Despite being reminded repeatedly, they refuse to consider Imam Hussain as martyr of humanity. In response to appeals made to them to look at the noble character of Imam Hussain and his sublime sacrifice, they are using perhaps for the first time vulgar language against Imam Mazloom. Being Muslim I can’t reproduce the non-sense uttered by them but the same can be viewed on blog Bharat Mahan. As slanderers of Imam Hussain are open supporters of BJP, Shiv Sena and Hindu Mahasabha, I am producing below the statement of Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji about Imam Hussain. He had stated “My own parliamentary constituency is Lucknow, which is one of the holy centers of Shia tradition in India. Since the days of my youth, the Muharram processions have made a profound impression on me. I was moved by the story of the supreme sacrifice of Imam Hussain at Karbala.”

He further said “since its Independence in 1947, India has travelled a long way on the road to progress. We can take satisfaction at the growth of our infrastructure, the great strides we have taken in agriculture & industry, and in our advances in education, science and technology. We are acutely aware that colonialism and economic exploitation had ensured our backwardness mainly through a denial of the opportunity for scientific and technological advancement. Today, India is at the forefront of the knowledge revolution. We are determined that we will never again fall behind in scientific research and technological achievement. Our experience and skills in these areas are also available to our friends through technical co-operation programs for peaceful socio-economic development. Of course, we know that much still remains to be done to fulfill the ideal of Mahatma Gandhi: to wipe every tear from every eye.  India is a land of many faiths. Our belief in secularism is rooted in a tradition which fundamentally respects man’s spiritual quest and his freedom to pursue it in the manner in which he chooses to do so. There may be some occasional aberrations, but neither the State nor civil society would ever weaken its bond with secular values, which are inherent in our civilization and cultural inheritance.”

Similarly, I would like to highlight a Shiv Sena activist Ashok Tamhankar who has been erecting a Sabeel(Drinking water arrangement) for 12 years on Ashura day in Mumbai. He says “I share the pain and grief of my Imami brothers and join them in mourning," with party’s local Shakha Pramukh Dilip Sawant nodding with approval.

I am sure that the words of Atal Ji who is held in high esteem by one and all and remarks made by a Shiv Sena activist would surely prevent Hindu fanatics from making vulgar remarks at Imam Hussain. They should remember that Imam Hussain had laid down his life for protection of human values, uprooting falsehood and corrupt regime. Hindus have loved him for centuries and continues to do so even today.(Reference: Atal ji had made the statement during his Iran visit as Prime Minister of India)