NEW DELHI – Noted Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah has said that those whoare demanding Muslim genocide want to start a civil war in India.
In an interview with an Indian publication, the *Ishqiya *actor revealedthe consequences of the hate speech conclave which was organized by theHindutva leader Yati Narsinghanand in Haridwar city of India’s Uttarakhandstate.
Indian Muslims are going to fight back, he said if they [Hindutva leaders]attempt for Muslim genocide and ethnic cleansing we will fight back. “Weare defending our homes, our family, our children”, he said.
Lamenting at rising Hindu radicalism, he said “I wonder if they know whatthey are talking about? 200 million are going to fight back. We belonghere. We were born here and we will live here.” He added that a toxicnarrative against minorities could lead to a civil war.
Sharing his experience as a Muslim citizen under the Modi-led Hindunationalist government, he said, “Muslims are being marginalised and maderedundant. They are in the process of being reduced to second-classcitizens as it’s happening in every field.”
He opined that an intensive attempt is being made to make Muslims insecureand fearful however he mentioned that Indian Muslims will not be scared. “Idon’t feel insecure because this is my home but I’m concerned about whatwill become of my children”, he added.
Read Top Stories
Last week, a call for Muslim genocide in a Hindu religious meeting in Indiatriggered international outrage with human rights activists, andpoliticians demanding action against the call of ethnic cleansing.
Activists also voiced concerns over the silence of the Modi government,saying this tantamount to an endorsement of Hindu extremists’ calls againstMuslims.
Pakistan also summoned the Indian Charge d’ Affaires at the ministry offoreign affairs to voice serious concerns over the widely reported opencall by Hindutva proponents for carrying out genocide of Indian Muslims.
