This refers to the article, “Islamists prepare for a home-coming” (April 26) by G Parthasarathy. It was indeed very disturbing to read about the rising extremist sentiments in Pakistan. Even more shocking is the steadily growing number of Muslim youth supporting Sharia'h-based polity in that country. When the world is expecting young Muslims to take the lead and motivate their fellow religionists to adopt a more liberal outlook and work towards peaceful co-existence. The high figure of 38 per cent favouring the imposition of Sharia'h laws as opposed to 29 per cent of young Pakistanis supporting democracy and 32 per cent favouring military rule, indicates a regressive trend and a closed and fanatical mindset.
Even in India, it seems, the educated Muslim youth, though aspiring for bigger roles and better standing in life, is also eagerly flaunting its religious identity. One can only hope that the Muslim youth in India does not get misguided by the zealots in the community and follow in the direction its Pakistani counterparts are heading.