Anger over the ruling party’s belligerence simmers, but community leaders know the far right itches for confrontation
The BJP last week suspended Sharma and expelled another senior member for the remarks. The government also disavowed the comments as it attempted to quell a diplomatic storm that had broken out in the Middle East.
Over the past two years there has been a rise in violent rhetoric about Muslims by BJP officials and extremist Hindu groups, covering subjects including how they worship, what they eat, the hijab, and the status of mosques. Muslim community leaders are searching for the right reaction. “We need to express our hurt when we are wantonly attacked. But it has to be democratic and peaceful so that we do not provoke retaliation or damage our image. Violence will weaken our case,” said Dr Taslim Rahmani, the president of the Muslim Political Council of India.A balanced response is proving difficult. People such as Rahmani know that the Hindu far right is itching to take Muslims on, waiting for them to take a wrong step.
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