An unidentified message calling on believers to buy things only from believers to strengthen their economy is being widely reported by the Islamophobic channels
Waquar Hasan | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – The mainstream media in the country leaves no stone unturned in demonising and debasing the Muslim community. And in the process, it has always ignored or sidestepped calls by various Hindutva outfits for an economic and social boycott of Muslims. Even dictates to bar Muslims from doing business at some Hindu religious occasions and festivals have been conveniently overlooked.
In the latest case, a call for an economic boycott of Muslims came from Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar where Madhi village passed a resolution barring Muslim traders from conducting business during the annual Madhi Chi (or Kanifnath) Yatra. The mainstream media, euphemistically called ‘Godi’ (lapdog) media because of its overt and covert support of the BJP’s policies did not flinch even when Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane supported the controversial move. The calls for a boycott of Muslims hardly received the attention of any of the news channels.
However, these very channels are now conducting debates and highlighting the issue when some social media users and unidentified messages called on Muslims to buy eatables and other essential items only from their community members during the fasting month of Ramadan.
An unidentified message calling on believers to buy things only from believers to strengthen their economy is being widely reported by the Islamophobic media. Even though the origin of the message is unclear various news channels and Hindi media are amplifying the message. The message also exhorts believers not to buy anything from non-believers to strengthen the economy of Muslims.
Media outlets like India TV, Aaj Tak, News18 Hindi, Dainik Bhashkar, Nai Dunia, Punjab Kesri, Hindustan and several others pounced on the chance to further malign and marginalise the Muslim community.
The message has reportedly been widely shared on social media. Some social media users also amplified the unidentified message by drawing attention to the Hindutva groups’ campaign to boycott Muslims.
A social media user The Muslim posted the poster put up by the Bajrang Dal Dewas calling upon Hindus to buy things only from those who celebrate Diwali during the Hindu festival of lights.
“Our festival, Deal with Ours. Do your Ramadan and Eid shopping from those who can celebrate Ramadan and Eid with your purchases…I thought I’d remind you,” said The Muslim.
A social media user Ali Sohrab put out a poster by the Samast Hindu Samaj asking Hindus to buy their things from “your brother not Bhaijan” (Muslim).
“Will this poster be remembered while shopping for Eid/Ramadan/Iftar,” Sohrab asked.
https://twitter.com/007AliSohrab/status/1897031653480116679
In another poster, Sohrab said “After all, what has changed that the Hindu media, which promotes hatred against Muslims day and night, is talking about promoting Hindu-Muslim harmony since yesterday”.
However, Congress MLA Arif Masood from Bhopal has slammed the message asking Muslims to buy things only from Muslims.
“This is the handiwork of the hatemongers. Our work is related to humanity, peace and love. No big organisation and Ulema have taken this decision. This message is wrong. It has not left its impact nor will it do,” Masood said.
Reacting to the campaign, Congress spokesperson Alok Sharma said this is being done from both sides.
“When the prime minister talks about 80 percent and 20 percent and Shamsan and Qabristan, the hatred cannot be reduced. The prime minister in his speech said your mangalsutra will be taken away and the people who have many children will snatch your buffaloes. He said many such things. Were his statements fine”, asked Sharma.
