Q: Are we as a nation gripped by some sort of Islamophobia – hate of Muslims? Do our rural folk, who are basically good hearted people, think that this will be good for the country in the future? How do you see the practice of deciding the identity of a citizen based on religion?

A: “I am afraid it will have a negative effect in the future for the people of India general. My first fear is that it will cause disturbance to peace and law and order. Secondly, this is an exclusive way of looking at citizenship. It goes against the true spirit of the Constitution. It creates an atmosphere of fear in the minds of the people, which is very da-ngerous for the unity, welfare and development of this nation. It can even negatively affect every dimension of our social life. I don’t want to comment on islamophobia, because phobia is a permanent state of the mind. We have lived in this nation for seventy years after independence without having such fears. The educated and the enlightened will never entertain such fears. Muslims are basically good people. They are not in rivalry with anyone. True, now and then rivalry does show up, as it happens in families. We are entitled to our own identity, as does every other nation. Our citizen-ship can be connected to Adhar card or ID card or whatever. I am unhappy about having to prove one’s identity. Any one community living in fear could be very dangerous for the future of the country.”

Bp. Thomas Thuruthimattam CST
Gorakhpur