India Unsafe For Muslims Even After Death

Though India is home to some 200 million Muslims, one of the world’s largest Muslim populations, sadly their plight continues. Not only that their survival is becoming difficult but they also aren’t at peace even after death. Such is the story of a Muslim war-hero Brigadier Usman whose grave has been damaged by Hindu extremists and garnered attention.

Over the years, Muslims living in India have faced systematic discrimination, prejudice, and violence despite constitutional protections.

The grave of Brigadier Mohammad Usman projects how Muslims are even suffering after death.

The burial site of the national hero is in bad condition as the deceased’s grave has been badly damaged.

Brig Usman was the highest-ranking official to die in action during the 1947-48 India-Pakistan War whose grave at Delhi’s Batla House graveyard was desecrated by some miscreants.

Sqr LDR Syed Ata Hasnain, former Director-General of Military Operations took to Twitter and tweeted a picture of Brig Usman’s vandalized grave bringing attention to the serious situation at hand.

Arey bhai logon, naam kyun likha chor diya, mita detey.. ki farq pendta!! Paki bhi khush hotey

“A Defaced and Broken Grave of a National Hero (Brig M Usman) Tells a Story of Our National Character” via Heritagetimes pic.twitter.com/L8j4Cr93Jt

— Sqn Ldr Husain 🇮🇳 (@HusainRif) December 27, 2020

The suffering of Muslims has increased sadly under the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

With an increase in hate crimes against Muslims in India in recent years, some fear the world’s largest democracy is becoming dangerously intolerant under the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

For decades, Muslim communities have faced discrimination in employment and education and encountered barriers to achieve prosperity and political power. They are disproportionately the victims of communal violence.

Dejectedly, now Muslims are also not at peace after death, the damaged grave of Brig Usman manifests how Muslims’ graves are also not safe in India.

It is not known when or by whom the grave was damaged, the cemetery is not secure given that both entrance and exit gates are open around the clock.

The grave, located in Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia campus, was reportedly damaged by miscreants.

Military veterans including Commander Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, former Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia called for ‘urgent repair’ of the resting site of the legendary Brigadier.

Corrective action initiated. Brig Muhammad Usman MVC (P), Saviour of Naushera is by far the most reverred and respected military leader and paratrooper. https://t.co/P2KpNoJZh1

— Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia (@Ptr6Vb) December 27, 2020

A professor from the university associated with graveyard maintenance commented on the serious issue saying that,” the university has a private fund for the maintenance of the graveyard, including trimming the grass and clearing trash. Sometimes drunkards come to the graveyard at night,”.

An Army source said it was looking into the issue and the grave will be restored soon. The grave is located inside the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University campus.

“It is not our responsibility, and this is inside the University campus. However, having come to know of the incident, we took proactive action, It has been discussed and will be restored soon,” he added.

The 36-year-old soldier was awarded Maha Vir Chakra. He became the symbol of India’s secular values at a time when the country was divided primarily into the lines of religious majority.

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Brig Usman is the “only Indian soldier whose funeral was done with full state honors where Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Governor-General C. Rajagopalachari, and many other Cabinet ministers were present.” The funeral prayer was led by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.