Page 99 - Non-violence and peace-building

Non-violence and Peace-building in Islam

Muslim paper copied a report that had been published
in a Bangalore-based Urdu paper that is known for its
cheap reporting and sensationalism. It had only to be
published in an Urdu paper that Muslims began making
a huge hue and cry about it and began reprinting it in
Urdu papers elsewhere, too. And so, in a few days the
situation became so heated and tense that it was almost
inevitable that riots would break out.

Mr. Thackeray’s Interview
After the riots, a representative of the Link magazine
interviewed the Shiv Sena leader, Mr. Thackeray. The
interview was published in the 3 June 1984 issue of the
rd
magazine. Here are some excerpts from the interview:
Q: Some of the Urdu papers have alleged that you have
demanded a ban on the Quran.

A: No, this is totally incorrect. I am not anti-Muslim.
Q: It is said that you used derogatory words against Prophet
Muhammad.

A: This is another blatant lie. My speeches were tape-
recorded. There was not a word against the Prophet.
Actually, I gave his example. This is what I said in my
speech: “Once, the Prophet was sitting in his mosque
with his disciples. A Hindu came there and spat on one
of the walls of the mosque. The disciples shouted, “Maro,
Maro!” But the Prophet stopped them from becoming
violent. Then, he washed the wall with a bucketful of
water. The Hindu fell ashamed. And that is how we
should win people, he told his disciples. But where is
that kind of tolerance in this community now?”

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