The process of hegemonising since 2014 hasa catastrophic consequence for the common mass in India. Since then, theinclination towards the ethnocentrism has taken profound imprints in cognitivesphere of majority. However, the development of ethnocentric idea in dominantgroups generates the uncertainty and disharmonic element in the society. Hence,no doubt, it enhanced the in-group unity but demonstrate a discontent betweenthe groups.
In the context of religion, that is a vitalelement of culture. I have tried to shed light on the specific component ofculture, in the framework of above discourse. Moreover, every religion performsan act of social cohesion and enhanced unity in the society. Similarly, thetrue adherent of every religion has propagated the spirit of oneness. Thereligious belief gives answer to certain uncertainties and calamities thatcompel us to yield towards the supernatural power. It consoles us about anydistress. In the era of rationalism, religion has played a very vital role inreducing the burden of anxiety and depression in the society. Every religiousorganization makes certain efforts to design a podium that establishedrelationship between individual and supernatural power. In the context ofIndian, that depicts the theological pluralism and element of secularism. Thisenshrined the religious propagation of minorities and reduced the role of statein it. So, here I restrict myself to something very present on social mediathese days – Tabligh-e-Jammat.
Prelude of Tabligh-e-Jammat
The preaching by Tabligh-e-Jammat is todesign a podium through which they want to establish a link between individualand supernatural (God). They embrace a pious strategy for scattering andenlightening the faith, morality and sacramental elements among the Muslimsacross the world. The origin of this movement goes to an outstanding Islamicscholar Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Kandhalawi in 1927 in Mewat. He was a spiritualscholar who enlightened various Muslims, through Islamic education, who wereperforming certain un-Islamic customs. Taking into consideration thesocio-economic backwardness of saharanpuri Muslims, he established variousmadrasas in which he propagated the significance of eternal as well as worldlylife. This movement has a vigorous association with Hanafi school of thoughtthat further demonstrates the close link with Deobandi ideology.
Labelling Tabligh-e-Jammat for spreadingCovid-19 Virus
The labelling and blaming process which weall have witnessed on social media on Tabligh-e-Jammat for spreading Covid-19virus, is basically the targeting of particular religious identity. It isnothing but to demonise the religious culture of Muslim in India. We all knowthat covid-19 has no religion. Moreover, covid-19 virus engulfs the whole worldand even developed nations could not escape. Is Tabligh-e-Jammat responsiblefor that? So, to politicising the covid-19 virus further deteriorates thesocio-economic condition and religious identity of minorities especiallyMuslims. Moreover, it further constructs certain hindrance in the path offighting the dreadful pandemic in India. However, there are many religious cumpublic gatherings that took place in India after the announcement of lockdownabout which we are all aware. But to blaming a specific religious congregationat Hazrat Nizamuddin Markaz manifests communal mindset. It initiated theprocess of detestation among the common masses that has only negative fallouts.The documents, that have been produced by the spokesperson of Tabligh-e-Jammatunderlines that the whole narrative that has been created by corporate socialmedia is groundless. This is something that needs to be taken note of.
Aijaz Ahmed is a Research Scholar, Department of SociologyAMU.