CHENNAI: The psychosis surrounding December 6 that leads people to view it as a day of violence must change into a paradigm that viewed the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition as a day of opportunity to foster harmony. That was the unmistakable message sent out by political leaders at a meeting organised by the Indian Union Muslim League here on Tuesday.Speakers at the function extolled the values of harmony in India, and said the demolition of the Babri Masjid and its aftermath had taught Indians of all faiths the value of the harmony that was endemic to the subcontinent. The observance of the ‘day of opportunity’ coincided with the Ashura, the mourning of the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali in the Battle of Karbala.“Today marks the martyrdom of one who fought for democracy and harmony, against authoritarianism. We live in India, a land of great men and minds that has given great works of wisdom to the world for centuries. Harmony fills our land and our hearts,” said IUML state president KM Khader Mohideen.“We must not look at ourselves as Muslims or Christians or Hindus. We must first look at ourselves as humans who can and should live in harmony. We must use this day as an opportunity to foster harmony, instead of engaging in acts of violence or hatred,” he added. In close agreement was Congress leader Peter Alphonse. “This is a day that in our recent past has taught us the value of harmony. It is a day to recall humanitarian values and recall the helping hand of fellow humans. It is a day for leaders to remember that their words and actions can influence their people for decades, and remember to act responsibly,” he said.Alphonse exhorted the Muslims of India to consider their low representation in institutions of higher learning, or in positions of power. “We must push our communities towards focusing on these things. Our communities cannot grow by pushing our youth down paths of hatred,” he said.
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