Najmuddin A Farooqi.
The question of whether Indian Muslims should engage in dialogue with Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS Chief or directly with the BJP-led government raises an even more fundamental question: why engage at all and with whom ?
Several explanations are often offered. First, there is genuine anxiety within the community about the present political and social climate. Second, some perceive Mohan Bhagwat as a comparatively moderate voice within the Hindutva ecosystem. Third, it is believed that engaging with a single individual who symbolically represents and arguably shapes the ideological core of Hindutva may be more practical than navigating multiple layers of government.
Whatever the motivation, not every attempt at dialogue should be viewed as a conspiracy or a betrayal. Assigning blame, questioning intentions or purpose of Muslim NGOs individual or group is futile and unnecessary. A crucial question must be addressed upfront: What are the expected outcomes of such dialogue and at what cost ?
Before delving into tactical advantages or disadvantages, Indian Muslims should seek clear answers to certain fundamental and principled questions from Mohan Bhagwat himself: “How does he view Hindu minorities living in Muslim-majority countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Arab nations ? Does he advise the Sanatan Hindu to cross religious boundaries to demonstrate loyalty to their nations ? Should they publicly denounce India as an enemy country to prove their own patriotism ? Is it ethical for a religious majority or state system to dictate to a minority what aspects of their faith are acceptable and what not ? And finally, is it justifiable to engage with just any individual to deliberate on the jurisprudence of another religious faith, rather than consulting its recognised clergy those who are widely acknowledged and respected, even beyond international borders, within the religious community to which they belong in order to arrive at a fair, informed and credible conclusion ?”
These questions are not rhetorical, they go to the heart of reciprocity, ethics and minority rights. Without clarity on these issues, dialogue risks becoming symbolic rather than substantive.
Engagement also carries potential casualties. One must assess Bhagwat’s actual influence both within the RSS cadre and within the ruling establishment. Is his leadership strong enough to reshape attitudes on the ground ? Has the RSS genuinely transformed its ideological legacy, spanning from M.S. Golwalkar to the present, or does historical baggage continue to shape its worldview ? Can the painful and controversial actions and the legacy of RSS which continues to exist throughout hundred years history realistically and logically be erased from our collective memory ?
Can the Indian Muslims, through dialogue, meaningfully alter the deeply entrenched perceptions held by large sections of the Hindu majority ? Dialogue alone cannot undo decades of mistrust unless it is accompanied by institutional change and consistent action.
Given these complexities, it is essential to reconsider the broader political reality. Ignoring the undeniable influence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Hindu psyche would be unrealistic. His government’s command over governance structures, media narratives and its perceived influence over constitutional institutions is a defining feature of contemporary India.
This raises a critical counter-question: if engagement is necessary, why not engage directly with the government of the day, which holds executive power enforcement of law and order deployment of security forces and shapes policy outcomes ?
In conclusion, dialogue is not inherently wrong but it must be strategic, principled and grounded in realism. Indian Muslims must carefully weigh intentions, power structures, historical context and tangible outcomes before choosing whom to engage with and on what terms. Dialogue should be a means to justice and equality, not an end in itself.
Finally, no matter what challenges come our way, we must never lose faith in ourselves. Success will inevitably be achieved sooner or later and it can be attained without compromising our rightful faith and beliefs.
