New York, Amidst the heightened Hindutva politics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s India, symbolized by the inauguration of the Ram Temple at the site of the demolished Babri Mosque, a prominent Indian journalist, Ziya Us Salam, has voiced concerns over the increasing alienation of Muslims in the country. Salam, an associate editor at The Hindu, expressed these views in an article published in TIME magazine.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Salam’s article paints a picture of the growing marginalization and invisibility of Muslims in India, particularly in the context of Modi’s Hindu nationalist policies. He stated, “To be a Muslim in an increasingly militant Hindu India is to feel alienated and dejected,” noting that despite their significant population, Muslims in India are facing increasing safety concerns, particularly in North India.
Salam described the Ram Temple’s inauguration as a culmination of Modi’s Hindutva agenda. The temple, built on the site of a mosque demolished in 1992 by Hindu fanatics, including members of Modi’s party, serves as a powerful symbol of this political shift. Salam also highlighted the disturbing trend of anti-Muslim slogans and chants, such as “When Muslims are killed, they will call out Victory to Ram,” heard in the weeks leading up to the temple’s inauguration.
The journalist pointed out the absence of Muslim representation in the Indian government, noting that there are no Muslim cabinet ministers or Members of Parliament in the ruling party. This, he argues, is indicative of the broader marginalization of Muslims in Indian politics and society.
Salam cited instances of heightened fear among Muslims in various parts of India, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh. He recounted incidents where public displays of Hindu devotion, often accompanied by aggressive slogans, have led Muslims to retreat into private spaces and alter their daily routines out of fear.
In his article, Salam also mentioned the impact of this climate on Muslim businesses and social events, with many choosing to cancel or postpone travel plans, weddings, and other celebrations. He wrote about the personal experiences of Muslims feeling compelled to hide their identity, such as a female Muslim journalist who felt the need to wear a Hindu bindi while covering the temple consecration in Ayodhya.
Concluding, Salam emphasized that since Modi’s ascent to power in 2014, the winters have been long and intimidating for India’s Muslims, who now find themselves increasingly isolated and fearful in their own country.
Islamabad, A pivotal dialogue on regulatory harmonization for Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) and Bio-pesticides took place in Islamabad, focusing on enhancing food safety standards in Pakistan. The meeting, held on January 24, 2024, brought together key partners including the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), and representatives from the private sector, notably Rafhan Maize Product Co. Ltd. The dialogue concentrated on the regulation and availability of Aflatoxin biological control technology for maize, a significant development in improving crop safety.
According to Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Dr. Kauser Abdulla Malik, presided over the meeting and stressed the importance of controlling aflatoxin to boost Pakistan’s agricultural exports. He praised the collaborative work of CABI, USDA, and PARC in this area and acknowledged the development of the National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy. Dr. Malik also recognized the role of the media in disseminating crucial information on this topic.
Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman of PARC, highlighted the organization’s efforts in developing biological control methods for Aflatoxin in various crops, including Chillies, Maize, Rice, and Ground nuts. He spoke about upcoming policies on Biotechnology and seed certification, expressing gratitude to all partners and media for their support.
Ms. Jessica Mudjitaba-Fernandez from the USDA emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing Aflatoxin contamination challenges, noting the combined expertise of USDA, CABI, PARC, and the private sector in developing effective control strategies. Mr. Keith Metzner of USAID pointed out the significant cooperation between Pakistan and the United States in agriculture, underlining the need to enhance food safety mechanisms to boost Pakistan’s agricultural exports.
Mr. Babar Ehsan Bajwa, CABI’s Senior Regional Director for Asia, expressed gratitude for the active participation in the dialogue, underscoring the necessity of continued collaboration and knowledge sharing for sustainable solutions in Aflatoxin control.
This dialogue marks a significant step towards ensuring food safety and improving agricultural practices in Pakistan through enhanced regulatory measures and international cooperation.