ISOLATED MUSLIMS

Self Exile !!!!!!

The identity crisis being faced by the Muslims is quite apparent as the frustration is being reflected loudly(Under Siege,INDIA TODAY,Oct 20,2008),Using the word,marginalized,may be harsh,but they are definitely feeling isolated,but it is the Muslims themselves who are to be blamed for this.

This upsurge of polarization between the Muslims and the non-Muslims,is not very surprising.Religion has always been blamed and considered as the main cause of separatism,but the present trend of in India show more of a socio-economic divide as the route cause of the increasing isolation of the Muslims.It is a battle of the underprivileged against the rest of the country,and its just co-incidental that most of these happen to Muslims !

The story seems to have started more than five decades back,and is erupting now.Low socioeconomic status and lack of proper education lead to resorting to labor related jobs.The low income along with larger number of children compared to rest of the population,added to the crisis,leading to more mouths to be fed with less resources.This predictably,lead to further less education and early induction into jobs.The nature of education and inadequate qualifications,prevented the next generation from coming into the main stream with better jobs and elevation of social standards.This lead to a vicious cycle,poverty and lack of proper education,more children,early induction into low paying jobs leading to further poverty.

But no where can the Government or any religious group be blamed for this.While no active measures may have been taken to give reservations or create special job vacancies,there was no hindrance or reservations or discrimination against them for education or jobs either.If anything that can be blamed is their socio cultural and religious trends and beliefs that may have resulted in this wide contrast between the social status,job profiles,education and income of most of them and the majority of the rest of the progressing country.This self created disparity has lead to an frustration,which is erupting terrorism in an rage of anger

In their obsession for their religion and social customs and in their fanatic endeavors to maintain their social laws,the Muslims,failed to mingle with the common man in the country,and neglected all invitations to join the main stream.Parsis were a small group,and went the same way,and almost reached a stage of extinction,till they started breaking their socio-religious customs.Muslims have clung to their customs and beliefs so rigidly,that,it has interfered in their progress.They too, can embrace the national stream ,without neglecting their religious,social and cultural beliefs,as all other Indians belonging to diversified religions and beliefs have done.

The battle is not religious,but that of fanatics with a non progressive mindset against the common man and that of the vindictive terrorist against the peace loving citizen of the country

It is the Muslims themselves,who have resorted to a self-exile,and they themselves can end this isolation,by adopting the prevalent socio cultural norms of the country!