News Desk |
Hashtag ‘Talk to a Muslim” has become a top trend on Indian social media after a writer Zainab Sikander took to Twitter and initiated this trend. In just three hours, Hashtag Talk to a Muslim was tweeted over 7000 times.
I stand with the last person in the line. The exploited, marginalised and the persecuted. Their religion, caste or beliefs matter little to me.
I seek out those in pain and embrace them. I erase hatred and fear.
I love all living beings.
I am the Congress.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 17, 2018
I’m An Indian Muslim.
I’m Human too.
You can talk to me.#TalkToAMuslim https://t.co/fvkYcWPday pic.twitter.com/lup88CjD2N— Zainab Sikander (@zainabsikander) July 17, 2018
Thousands of people including Muslims, Hindus, Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities took part in the social media campaign that was aimed to highlight the growing anti-Muslim sentiments in India. Actor celebrities like Veere Di Wedding’s Swara Bhaskar and Gauhar Khan voiced their opinion in the campaign.
Zainab Sikander tweeted: “I’m An Indian Muslim. I’m Human too. You can talk to me. #TalkToAMuslim.”
Read more: Indian leaders’ rhetoric reflect Anti-Muslim atmosphere
What Triggered the Social Media Campaign?
The social media campaign was in response to Rahul Gandhi who reiterated his support for the ethnic minorities and sects in his tweet.
If you think that Muslims aren’t feeling persecuted
If you think Muslims aren’t fed up of being the national conversation every night at 9pm bulletins
If you think Muslims don’t feel otherized, demonized & marginalized
Then you need to talk
I am an Indian Muslim#TalkToAMuslim— Nazia Erum (@nazia_e) July 17, 2018
I am an Indian Muslim, talk to me @ReallySwara @ArvindKejriwal #TalkToAMuslim pic.twitter.com/mdn6Jxc9Xf
— Farrukh ilyas (@amufarrukh) July 17, 2018
He wrote: “I stand with the last person in the line. The exploited, marginalized and the persecuted. Their religion, caste or beliefs matter little to me. I seek out those in pain and embrace them. I erase hatred and fear. I love all living beings. I am the Congress.”
Never thought a day like this would come where a community will explain how normal they’re, a politician meeting Muslim leaders would become a Topic Of Debate or people will be forced to prove patriotism in their own country.
I’m a Human
I’m an Indian
I’m a Muslim #TalkToAMuslim— Saniya Sayed (@Ssaniya25) July 17, 2018
Rahul Gandhi tweeted in response to a controversial statement passed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on him and his party during his meeting with Muslim leaders and activists.
A BJP leader, PM Modi attacked his political opponent Rahul Gandhi and his party Congress and called it a ‘Muslim Party’. He quoted Gandhi as saying that he wanted the continuation of triple talaq. He blamed the party wants to gain the sympathies of minorities before the 2019 elections.
The President of Congress Party Rahul Gandhi denied making any such statements and demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attributing false statements to him. Scores of tweeps pointed to various serious hate crimes rising against Muslims that includes beating, lynching, physical assaults, and harassment.
What the hell is this #TalkToAMuslim hashtag?
Shameful this is.. A new circus or something? Who doesn’t talk to Muslim’s? Twitter has become a joke!— Koena Mitra (@koenamitra) July 17, 2018
The extremist narrative has become more popular on Indian social media since BJP leader Narendra Modi came to power. He is being criticized for his inaction towards the rising ethnic violence against Muslims in his rule.
Read more: Diplomatic harassment in India and anti-Muslim rhetoric may prove to be…
There were, however, many who opposed this social media campaign. They have expressed their disgust and stated it a mere effort to malign India. According to them, things are not that bad in the country.
What the hell is this #TalkToAMuslim hashtag?
There is no stigma associated with talking to Muslims. Some of my best friends are Muslims and when we talk to each other , we don’t think of each other’s religion.
This hashtag is demeaning Muslims.
— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRai) July 17, 2018
Shocked beyond words at this cheap hashtag #TalkToAMuslim. Not only is it downright disrespectful, it does no favor to Muslims you are supposedly speaking up for. Get out of fake social media world and you will see Muslims and Hindus talk to each other like any two normal humans.
— Sunanda Vashisht (@sunandavashisht) July 17, 2018
The social media trend is an attempt to encourage people to think beyond communities, religions, and sects to preserve secularism in the country.