NEW DELHI: The recent incidents of mob lynching by right-wing vigilantes and the alleged targeting of the minorities in the country and also the failure of the present Government in providing security has forced Muslims in modern India to self-censor.
Angellica Aribam, a former NSUI member took to Twitter to explain how the vicious atmosphere in the country has forced India’s minority Muslims to even change their basic way of living.
According to The Quint, the Twitter thread started when Aribam on 23 July, explained how dear friend of her had stopped carrying mutton in her lunchbox for fear of being lynched and the fear that is justified in today’s times especially when you’re a Muslim man.
https://twitter.com/AngellicAribam/status/1021335647515217920
Indian Muslims shared the concerns and their anxieties on the same Twitter thread.
Historian Rana Safvi also shared that after 2015 Mohammad Akhlaq’s lynching , she is reluctant about getting mutton delivered to her house.
I used to get mutton delivered to my house by the local butchers. But stopped after the Akhlaq lynching.
And yes I do still say adab, salam & Khuda hafiz in public places but I look over my shoulder now. Earlier I didnt https://t.co/e9rJR36aXH— Rana Safvi رعنا राना (@iamrana) July 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/pepper_smoker/status/1021336758468964352
Leave lunchbox, Muslims are scared to travel also if they are sporting a beard or wearing Hijab/burqa. https://t.co/Ps6o3l03bA
— اخلاص (@tamashbeen_) July 23, 2018
With fear of being left unemployed, thousands of Muslim workers migrating to cities from Low Income Group, often Hide their Religious Identity or Adopt a Neutral Name in order to fit in, Well this never the case with Majority !
— Mehz Khan (@mehzkhan) July 25, 2018
Demonised/othered/marginalised. From politics of food, space, language to identity! A question I have heard way too much–so do you identify as a Muslim first or an Indian? As if the two are mutually exclusive!
— Ursilaa💜 (@UrsilaAli) July 25, 2018
Leave about lunchbox and meat, according to many who responded, merely bearing a identity as a Muslim becoming the biggest worry for them.
From greeting parents on phone or in public places with a “salaam” to wearing a “Kurta pyjama” for offering Friday namaz, Muslims are scared as the insecurity is growing everywhere and fear become an everyday reality for them.
Not to invite life-threatening consequences, Muslims are becoming caution and avoid travelling during Eid time because “mahaul kharab hai Eid ke time travel mat karna (traveling during Eid is no longer safe)”.
My Parents told me not to say salaam on phone in public places.
— Irfan عرفان (@ImIrfan2947) July 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/Minnatali10/status/1021361441239175168
Recently my Mom and Dad were traveling in Train and it was a Friday. I called her specifically to tell her not to read Namaz in the Train, which is(used to be) a very common practice.
— Salik Khan (@baawraman) July 25, 2018
My mom used to give gud-chana to our driver to feed the cows on Thursdays.She is scared driver might get lynched.She used to give food to street kids,she is scared she might get lynched.This insecurity is everywhere,no one's untouched.Someone has to do something .
— M (@Mudita2021) July 27, 2018