At such a time when we are fighting to have our rights to eat meat (beef, to be very precise), a Muslim man who doesn’t eat pork for ‘religious, cultural and personal’ reasons has offered to take people out for pork lunch.
The Dadri lynching case has certainly revealed India’s ‘beef’ with beef. But what it actually proves is our growing intolerance not just towards meat, but towards other religions as a whole. The cancellation of legendary Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali’s concert and calling him a ‘dengue artist’ is a case in point, which only goes to prove that we are sick of this atmosphere of intolerance.
So, Ashley Np, a Muslim professor at St. Stephen’s College in Delhi University wants to make a pertinent point at such a crucial time.
Recently, he wrote a Facebook post in which he said although he doesn’t eat pork, he believes people who do, should be allowed to. And he offered to treat five people to any pork dish of their choice.
Of course, treating people to a pork meal is not going to take India out of the dilemma. But the ‘meat’ of such a proposal is to make a point about harmony, tolerance and personal freedom.
Here’s the post:
“Hi, I am Ashley, a Muslim. I don’t eat pork for religious, cultural and personal reasons. But I believe those who like to eat pork, should be allowed to eat pork and none should be forced to have pork. In the wake of 200 Hindutwa men killing a 58 year old Muslim man, Mohammed Akhlaq, on the alleged eating of beef in Dadri, I have decided to offer to take 5 people who like to eat pork from Delhi out for lunch and order them their favourite pork dish. Kindly inbox me your number, name and place of stay so that we can decide on a convenient restaurant. The offer is open to all, regardless whether I know them or not. The five people will be chosen on a first-come-first- serve basis.
I know eating pork is not banned anywhere in India. Nor has anyone got beaten to death for it. But it is good to give some of these people a sample of democracy, choices and humane, friendly behaviour. We don’t always have to militantly and cruelly insist everyone follows what we believe in. This created enmity between people, supported by mob terror and heinous statements that justify such acts, is going to weaken India and ruin it, sooner or later. Beware.
Sorry to all those who might miss being in the first five. For logistical reasons I can only do this in Delhi. Thank you for your understanding.”
