A new controversy has broken out in response to the national president of Sri Ram Sene, Pramod Muthalik, commenting on Hindus being cautioned not to buy gold from Muslim-owned shops during the Akshaya Tritiya.
Speaking to the media in Koppal, Muthalik said that buying gold is a “sacred act” and only from Hindu jewellery shops and called for what he referred to as “halal-free” business practices. His remarks have elicited angry backlash as such remarks can be seen as polarising and a rallying point for the mob.
Though Muthalik rationalised his appeal to religious feelings, critics argue that it encourages economic discrimination and has also made social coherence in a mixed society more difficult to maintain. In one of these interactions, Muthalik also worried about religious conversion actions alleged before him, relating to Tata Consultancy Services in Nashik.
He called it “serious” and demanded that the National Investigation Agency launch a nationwide probe into the IT sector. He claimed that a woman named Nida Khan could have a connection to more than one person, and he urged a complete investigation.
Muthalik also denounced the management of a case in Alavandi, a part of Koppal district; he alleged instances of “love jihad” and criminal activities. He alleged that the local police did nothing by not arresting Mustafa, who he alleged was engaged in drugs and gambling.
He also accused the incriminating digital evidence of being deleted. He also made some pretty grievous statements: local officials were playing political interference at the highest level, and local leaders were manipulating the case and the legal process of law enforcement by failing to perform their duties.
He proceeded to blast the working of the police in hard-edged terms, telling them they were corrupt and carelessly ineffectual. The leaders at Sri Ram Sene also questioned the young woman who went towards Valmiki, as she claimed she had been pushed into faith-based conversion. He added that she was exposed to Islamic customs and dress, and requested that judicial action in these cases be expedited.
We also acknowledge that many of these accusations are unproven and are based on hearsay, and law enforcement agencies have publicly failed to verify some of the allegations made. An investigation of legal proceedings would typically lead to a ruling on this charge. With his remarks on the matter, Muthalik again underscored the matter's sensitive nature in India, involving a person's religion, commerce and law enforcement.
Public figures making such comments have a great deal of media scrutiny, because their words can influence public opinion - and thus community morale. On the whole, as arguments rage on, observers point to the need to keep the peace and defend constitutional principles, and to permit investigative authorities and courts to decide on matters on the merits and with due process.
