Salman Khurshid’s new book, Visible Muslim, Invisible Citizen, aims to present a view about the growing sense of insecurity felt by Muslims in India. By Team Viva
What does it mean to be a Muslim in India today? Are both Hindus and Muslims under a false impression and have been fed misconceptions about their religions? A wide variety of audience gathered to understand how Congress leader Salman Khurshid, who is also a designated senior advocate, eminent author and a law teacher, explains the situation of a Muslim in the contemporary India dealing with the current political situation of the country.
The book titled Visible Muslim, Invisible Citizen, sought to express his view about the growing sense of insecurity felt by Indian Muslims but extending to other minorities as well. Recently, Rupa publications held the book launch of Khurshid.
In his book, he has explained Islam to non-Muslims, who do not know enough about it and places the identity of the Indian Muslim in the context of Indian democracy. The book tries to decipher the Muslim mind in social and political contexts, beyond theology. Khurshid has presented various facts and figures relating to education, employment and crime to support his hypothesis.
Following an introduction by Kapish Mehra, the managing director of the publication, there was a lively debate anchored by newsman Bhupen Chaubey. Participants included Asaduddin Owaisi, politician and president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, Seema Chishti, editor at the Indian Express, Nalin Kohli, chief spokesperson for the BJP, professor Hilal Ahmed and author and a social activist Harsh Mander.
A stimulating, sometimes humorous and at times contentious debate followed, where the very title of the book was questioned by the panelists. Owaisi shared his angst at being heckled by “Jai Shri Ram” slogans proffered by members of the ruling party. This was quickly countered by Nalin Kohli, who reminded Owaisi of the inflammatory statements made by his brother, Akbaruddin Owaisi. There was a detailed discussion on the Indian Constitution as an idealistic and forward-thinking document, which is often ignored by political parties in the hurly-burly of vote-gathering.
A distress young woman in the audience questioned all the panelists and said, “I am disturbed at how Muslims are being treated in the country today. Will your book help in changing the current hostility in the air?”
On a philosophical note, Khurshid said, “The word liberal is often used in a negative manner in the current scenario. I wonder how secular has not overshadowed the word liberal, as secularism is a component of liberalism.”
The audience shared their views on the subject of tolerance and violence. Mander lamented the lack of compassion in the vitiated atmosphere created by lynchers and communalists.
The presence of some senior legal luminaries like Justice Ahmadi and former solicitors Fali Nariman and Soli Sorabjee brought a gentler balance to the sometimes heated discussion. Nariman proposed that a simple solution would be to make a Parsi the president of India. Sorabjee agreed to it and said that the “Parsi’s sense of humour would probably save the day.”