"It is not just Modi, but the entire Gujarati society has moved on, and is reconstructing a new equation with Muslims. After 2002, we took it upon ourselves to ensure that no Muslim child would be deprived of education simply because his or her family can not afford the fees or buy books. Many Hindus gave us money for it. For example, at the start when we sponsored a Muslim girl’s education in a medical college, one of my Hindu friends said that he will pay for that semester’s fee for the girl. That really boosted my morale and convinced me that humanitarian spirit is alive even in Gujarat. Those who say that there is a lot of Hindu-Muslim hatred in Gujarat are perpetuating a myth. That hostility stayed alive for some time after the riots. Even after 2002, once things settled down and the ice was broken, it is Hindus who extended help to Muslims to rebuild their lives. How much can the Muslims do alone?... Hundreds of Hindu families came for our daughter’s wedding. As the state is experiencing genuine social peace and security, inter-community relations have become far more relaxed. I tell my fellow Muslims, we also must take the initiative to promote social interaction. Muslims cannot continue to live in an alienated, insulated manner. We have not made much effort to familiarise our Hindu brothers about our culture....But today such social interaction has begun to take place all over Gujarat because the ruling party is not acting as a divisive force. It is providing a sense of security by upholding the rule of law. People don’t view each other with as much suspicion as they did when riots were engineered routinely."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Zafar Sareshwala, quoted in Kishwar, Madhu (2014). Modi, Muslims and media: Voices from Narendra Modi's Gujarat. p.350-352
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Zafar_Sareshwala
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Zafar Sareshwala
14 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Zafar Sareshwala →
Related Quotes
"See how Modi met us! He kept track of what time we arrived in the building and came to the elevator to receive us. I …"
"So I sent an email. I was not apologetic about anything. I wrote plainly, "Yes we had fought Modi. But now we feel th…"
"Because at that time Modiji used to talk of Gujarati asmita [identity], I said to Mr[.] Modi you are a slightly dilut…"
"Then we began talking of all the riots and asked him: what were you doing on the morning of 27 February 2002? Why did…"
"Maulana literally made Modi stand in the dock. It is Modi's maturity that even after winning the election with a thum…"
"Anti-Modi sentiment continues to be orchestrated by the media as the definitive truth, irrespective of what the peopl…"
"People who go on and on about the 2002 riots, choose to forget that it was the culmination of an endless series of ri…"
"Please note that when we asked for a meeting with Modi he was not yet a hero but one of the most hated figures; he wa…"
"As soon as he came to know that I had arrived, he got his secretary to call me and find out when I intended to see hi…"
"An important aspect of this riot was that it was not as simple as BJP vs. Muslims or just VHP vs. Muslims. Many Congr…"