We feel proud in claiming ourselves as ‘World’s Biggest Democracy’ and the country and its people have moved ahead with development in various sectors since independence on August 15, 1947. However, sad to share that still Muslims (around 20 percent of Indian population) are seen with suspicious bent of streak by some sections and they don’t hesitate to harass in different ways. To the utter surprise not only poor and less literate Muslims but those who are financially sound and holding good position (posts) also come across such unpleasant circumstances. Noted Bollywood actess Shabana Azmi, writer and poet Javed Akhtar, filmstar Emraan Hashmi are some of the celebrities who had complained about biased approach towards Muslims.
Ex-Major Mohammad Ali Shah
The recent addition is Mohammad Ali Shah, an ex-major with Indian Army and son of Lt. Gen (Retired) Zameer Uddin Shah who is currently Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh. Thirty-two-year old Ali Shah was slurred by one of India’s leading airlines Spice Jet in the month of June. Ali was deboarded by Spice Jet staff at IGI Airport in New Delhi because of his name and religious faith. As per Ali, the airline staff had frisked his luggage and stopped him from boarding the flight. Although Ali had explained about his army connection and his family association, but the airline staff didn’t given any response. In extreme dejection, Ali had captured the misbehave in his mobile phone camera and filed a legal suite against the airlines misbehave and racial remarks on him.
First of all the airline didn’t given any reply to legal notice and later on in pressure it totally denied from the allegations of Ali. Spice Jet had replied that Ali was taking photographs hence he was frisked. However, Captain Gopinath of Air Deccan fame has said there is nothing wrong if someone is clicking photographs in the airport. This is very common nowadays in airports and the Spice Jet must need to look into the misconduct of its staff.
NDTV, a reputed media house of the country brought the issue of Major Mohammad Ali Shah into notice. Kashish, the reporter of NDTV 24x7 has done a brilliant job by covering the issue in an excellent way. Brakha Datt too has shown sincerity by highlighting the issue in ‘Big Story’ show of NDTV. However, before I close there is a big question before all. Minorities in India are shinning in every walk of life, be it cricket or the film industry; communal violence has also come down over the years. But do minorities in India still face prejudices in their daily lives???????This question is open to each and every Indian.
To watch the debate click the link: http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/the-buck-stops-here/india-s-minorities-still-facing-prejudice/239821
