This
article is dedicated to Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer, “The man of God”, a
theologian, secularism and communal harmony activist, R.L. Laureate
(Alternative Nobel Prize) and Pioneer of the Centre for Study of Society and
Secularism, who breathed his last on 14 May 2013.
I had the good fortune of hearing
from Dr. Asghar about the communal strands of Indian politics and
reason behind maintaining the status quo of communal disintegration in the
country. Judgements pronounced over the Ramjanam Bhumi / Babri Masjid case and
Gujarat riots have been the cases which I've keenly followed, and hearing Dr.
Asghar’s personal account simply moved me. While he explained the intricacies
of communcal and ethnic violence in India, The country has witnessed bloodshed
not only when the religious minorities are targeted by fascist powers, but these powers have also used the
trick of mobilizing Adivasis against Dalits and vice versa, and caste minorities against
religious minorities, something that unfolded during the Kandhamal riots in
Odisha. He expressed his disappointment over the right wing objection to the
Anti Communal and Targeted Violence Bill at its introduction in the Parliament.
After this consultation, my
virtual association with Dr. Engineer continued in the area of understanding
truth behind certain myths and ill-practices occurring under the garb of
religious sanctions/norms of Islam. Owing to my curiosity, I clarified several
issues located in the contemporary and traditional view of Islam, from Dr.
Asghar over emails. It was such that my queries sought the most logical
responses rooted in historical and scientific facts and reasons. I remember my
last acknowledgement to him was for a reasoned out and contextual response to
“Why (legal) adoption of child was prohibited in Islam?”, whereby, having cited
the story behind such a mention in Qur’an, he maintained that no where adoption
was banned, but the jurists drew this conclusion from an event and concluded
from Qur’anic statement that 'Your adopted son is not like biological son'.
His views always influenced me,
empowered me, ameliorated and elevated my views about Islam, with which most
people on this planet suffer and love to live with. Thanks to media,
international politics, the Big Brother, the religious leaders/clerics,
restrained freedom of inquiry, dialogue and dissent on the subject, general
insensitivity among the people, even within elite Muslims, let alone the
marginalized majority.
What makes me revere him even
more is the thought of how he must have worked for this nearly impossible
mission of communal harmony, being assaulted by
his own people, own community, at every step! I always feel that it is much
easier to conquer the outside world but overcoming internal challenges, those
within us and in our own families and communities is the foremost and greatest
challenge for anyone. He was the one who stood by his faith and belief of
Humanity and Equality, and acted out in true faith. He followed an approach by
which he could stand up firmly before his community and enlighten them on the
progressive aspects of Islam, a religion (among others) shunned for extremism
penetrated by its followers in power positions.
His way of agitation was
peaceful, on the vehicle of “Hidden knowledge” of his faith. Seldom have I
found the most influential of figures use such approach and wisdom, because of
which, I see the bridge leading to the marginalised communities, shaky or
broken. Many have abandoned their faith
in pursuit of excellence, and numerous taken to liberal criticism of it, but
few take pain to research and study well the subject of their criticism.
Dr. Asghar has certainly left his
imprints on my mind which will continue to influence my zest to learn, love,
expand and harmonise. His loss is certainly a huge loss for me personally. May
his legacy of rich knowledge and
compassion for communal harmony continue to be inherited and guide the like-minded
people, to have a place where all can unite and exist amidst diversity.
May his soul rest in peace
