Indian society till the late 1920s, was plural, where Hindus and Muslims were living amicably. This well-established historical fact is still marginal in popular imagination. We are led to believe that Muslims were always separatists, despite historical evidence to the contrary (Joya Chatterji’s Bengal Divided, 1994).
Sadgati (1981)Director: Satyajit Ray.Producer: Doordarshan Dukhi is a god-fearing person from a Dalit caste. He stays in a village with his kind and loving wife, Jhuria. Their daughter needs to be betrothed and the ritual can only be solemnised by…
This essay explores the role of waqf—charitable endowments made by Muslims in India—within the broader framework of minority rights. I argue that empowering minorities is essential for realizing India’s vision as a pluralistic society free from discrimination and exclusion.
In this book, I sensed a vision for the future of the Muslims in India that Mushirul Hasan must have dreamt of. He wanted Muslims to be a securer of justice not only for Muslims but also for the non-Muslims of the world. This is a message for global peace and communal harmony.
Pluralism is Islam's hallmark. This film foregrounds this aspect through art, architecture, trade, craft, music, song, poetry, philosophy.
Anjuman, both the film and the character, is not exclusively about the protagonist. It is equally about the firmness and courage shown by fellow embroiderers as a collective.
The idea of India must be inclusive and self-reflexive. Our task for the future is to keep the flame of this ‘inclusivity’ and ‘self-reflexivity’ burning.