Khalid Umar, originally from Pakistan, is a practicing Barrister in the UK. He frequently shares his insights on Indic matters on Facebook with his nearly 20,000 ardent followers. This article is based on a portion of the YouTube video of Umar’s wide-ranging interview with Citti.Net, titled “Hinduism is intellectually superior.” In this segment, Umar discusses why Mr. Modi’s governance is a good thing for India’s Muslims.
Indian Muslims require true secularism, not appeasement policies, he says, noting that the Modi government has maintained a secular approach, which is crucial for the progress of both the country and its citizens. Muslims, like everyone else, should embrace secularism, as it promotes harmony – not only in India but also globally. Striving for true secularism can help reduce conflicts between different faiths.
“if England as a Christian, officially Christian country, can be a secular democracy, then why can’t India be a Hindu Rashtra and a secular democratic country as well?”
Under Modi’s governance, India has witnessed significant changes without significant hostility, considering past Muslim attitudes. The government has shown a spirit of brotherhood by granting compensatory land for the Ram Mandir and selecting deserving candidates for various awards. It’s important to note that India has had a Hindu cultural heritage for thousands of years, and while Muslims have 53 countries where they are the majority, 95% of the world’s Hindus live in India. “So, Hindus have a right to have their own country or their own secular democratic Hindu Rashtra,” Umar says, noting that “if England as a Christian, officially Christian country, can be a secular democracy, then why can’t India be a Hindu Rashtra and a secular democratic country as well?”
His advice to Indian Muslims is to not view this as an opportunity to play the victim; instead, they should recognize it as a justifiable demand. With another decade of governance like the current one in India, implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will contribute to resolving many issues. The Muslims of India will have a more positive outlook and direct their energy towards constructive endeavors. India’s history shows that various religions, including Hinduism, have flourished alongside one another, for the Hindus are inherently tolerant of other faiths. Modi’s secular governance is genuinely beneficial for Indian Muslims, and it aligns with their best interests.
Brief Biography
Growing up In the late 1970s in the Punjab province of Pakistan, Khalid Umar recalls that his school education emphasized the supremacy of the Islamic faith over all else, often portraying Hindus as wicked, constant enemies of Islam and their religion as promoting bad values. Muslims were described as historically tolerant, having ruled the Indian subcontinent for a millennium without forcibly converting Hindus.
After General Zia-ul-Haq’s rise to power in the late 1970s, the educational system became increasingly Islamist. According to Umar, even today, many Pakistanis perceive Hindus as being connected to those who lived in Mecca during the time of Prophet Muhammad, adding religious weight to the animosity against them. This narrative contributes to a sense of holy war, pitting the “kafirs” (non-believers) against Islam.
Umar had the good fortune of being born to educated parents who held a more inclusive view and shielded them from religious indoctrination. This helped him to become a free thinker, unburdened by the prevalent biases and animosities in many Muslim households.
