The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) published a blemished report stating that Islamophobia was on a rise in India. Making deliberate misinterpretations about enactments like the CAA and Article 370 abrogation, this sham of a Federal Commission recommended the State Department to designate India as a “country of particular concern” next to the likes of Pakistan, North Korea, and China. Of course, before you take this organization any seriously, it is the same body that had once recommended denial of US tourist visa to PM Modi after the Gujarat riots when he was the Gujarat Chief Minister.
India has, of course, seen through the prejudices of the Commission and the Ministry of External Affairs has termed the report as “biased and tendentious”. “We regard it (USCIRF) as an organization of particular concern and will treat it accordingly.” the MEA spokesperson had announced.
However, on the day when the USCIRF condemned India for its alleged Anti-Muslim stance and came out with the highly-contentious report, the imprudent religious freedom panel should have seen what was transpiring across the country. Something unique that depicted the reality of India and quashed the beliefs of USCIRF.
The revered actor Irrfan Khan, 53, died on 29 April at the Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai after a long drawn battle with a neuroendocrinal-disorder. The moment the news of his death broke out, the entire nation was pushed into mourning for the brightest star of the cinema world.
The entire nation has been pushed into mourning by the news of Irrfan Khan’s untimely demise. In an industry where without influence, nepotism and power, seldom can anyone make the cut, Irrfan Khan emerged as a living legend.
Irrfan Khan’s demise is a loss to the world of cinema and theatre. He will be remembered for his versatile performances across different mediums. My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers. May his soul rest in peace.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 29, 2020
Heartbroken to hear about Irrfan’s untimely demise. It’s an irreparable loss for Indian cinema. Deepest condolences to his wife & sons. RIP Irrfan.
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) April 29, 2020
The doe-eyed actor was loved and admired by people irrespective of their age, political affiliations, or religion. From children to the elderly to Hindus and Muslims, all seemed to be awestruck by Khan’s powerful performances.
So when he breathed his last, the Indians did not think of him as a Muslim, they thought of him as an individual and as an artist that had touched their lives. A country of 80 percent Hindus was mourning the death of a Muslim and that very well reinforces the belief in India that despite our differences, we are together as one.
India in one voice deeply mourns the untimely demise of Irrfan Khan. May his soul rest in peace.
To: @harari_yuval India has Islamophobia? Let biases not blind historians. Institutional biases of @USCIRF instigate mob violence against Hindus. 4 Sadhus just killed. @rahulkanwal
— S R Ganguli (@SRGanguli1) April 30, 2020
Each and every person regardless of religion is mourning Irrfan Khan’s death.
No hate talks..No scandals, no affairs.a proud Indian…a Muslim ..a kind hearted gentleman.
RIP 🙏@ANI https://t.co/nt2YrMeUFh
— SS (@swarajsaraswat1) April 29, 2020
@USCIRF See! What's happening in India. Today we lost, our Indian Jewel, a fine actor IRRFAN KHAN & yes he was a Muslim. Have you seen any hatred on his name?
In India, all the religion enjoy there rights.
Stop doing propogenda against our great & secular nation #IrrfanKhan pic.twitter.com/KQgtnD17bq— Amit Sharma (@realMeetu) April 29, 2020
@LadyVelvet_HFQ today all Hindus are mourning for demise of the great muslim actor Irrfan khan. This is true India. Everyone should see this India. pic.twitter.com/QsePNsjc7E
— Rohit kumar (@rohitaj3) April 29, 2020
Even the world-renowned author Paulo Coelho remembered Khan and recited averse from Bhagwat Gita to convey his respects for the departed soul.
A star joins other stars in the sky. Thank you for everything, Irrfan Khan
“Death is as sure for that which is born, as birth is for that which is dead. Therefore grieve not for what is inevitable.”
― Bhagavad Gita pic.twitter.com/WKaOlgf4bi— Paulo Coelho (@paulocoelho) April 30, 2020
A Twitter user beautifully pointed out that a Christian was paying tribute to a Muslim using a Holy Hindu scripture.
https://twitter.com/KhosoSaalim/status/1255707148660727808
What Coelho depicted through his tweet is what happens in India on a daily regular basis. The cliché line that ‘India hates the Kasab’s and the Tablighi’s, not Abdul Kalam’s and Irrfan’s’ holds true in this setting.
Can you just see the trend on Twitter India. Entire country is mourning for the death of Irrfan khan. He was from the Minority that you guys were mentioning about.India only hates bad people irrespective of religion.
— Ankith Sarda (Modiji Ka Parivar) (@ankith_sarda) April 29, 2020
Calling out Tablighi’s for their deranged behavior does not quantify as Islamophobia and if it is in the books of this organization then so be it—they can go on and publish 100’s of such reports but the truth will shine as bright as the Sun that the social fabric of the country is stronger—much more than ever.
@USCIRF You said india increase islamofobia
Here my mbl screen shot for irrfan khan sir.
And see i m not hindu even muslim
I m from rear community that's called indianNot even me check million hindu people mbl screen shot you will realise your mistakes pic.twitter.com/BBGVEVTjt4
— Khush!!!art (@ArtKhush) April 29, 2020
USCIRF should have seen the pictures, the adulation Khan received—be it from a metropolitan like Delhi, or a small town like Ranchi in Jharkhand or Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh, the actor’s fans from every nook and corner of the country across religious lines collectively had a moist-eye for him.
Irrfan Khan: The ‘Khan’ of Bollywood whom every Indian loved and admired
In an industry where without influence, nepotism and power, seldom can anyone make the cut, Irrfan Khan emerged as a living legend. This is perhaps a fundamental reason as to why for many, the death of Khan has come across as a personal loss.
The secular media and the entire left-ecosystem weaves a narrative that Indian Muslims are in danger and through such reports, they want to validate their self-beliefs on the layman. But the reality that nearly all of the country, including Hindus, were mourning for a Muslim—speaks volumes about the falsehood being propagated.
The void left by Irrfan will be difficult to fill but we as Indians would forever cherish the fact that we had the fortune to watch the master-craftsmen weave his magic on the silver-screen in flesh and blood and for that, we will be eternally grateful. Hopefully, USCIRF rises above its motive to promulgate communal discord through biased reports and understand the ground-reality.
