Historical Perspectives: Islam and Christianity in India
The Arrival of Islam and the Moplah Rebellion
Islam first arrived peacefully in undivided South India through maritime traders. Local Hindus, out of piety and hospitality, welcomed them and even gave their daughters in marriage; their descendants came to be known as Moplahs (meaning "son-in-law").
However, this relationship shifted during the collapse of the Ottoman Caliphate. Distraught by the end of the Turkish Caliphate and angry at British rule, the Moplahs turned their aggression toward the local population. During the Moplah Rebellion, many non-Muslims were slaughtered, and their bodies were dumped into village wells—some while still alive, dying slowly of suffocation. Even infants were not spared. This followed a broader pattern seen during the 800-year era of Islamic rule in India, where Hindus suffered significantly in terms of economic stability, the destruction of temple architecture, and the erosion of basic human rights. Ultimately, through bloodshed and the sword, the subcontinent was divided into three parts. Despite this, Hindus were not granted a dedicated Hindu state where they could enjoy at least equal rights.
The Impact of Colonialism and Christianity
Similarly, Christianity entered India peacefully via southern trade routes. However, during the British, French, and Portuguese colonial periods, the approach changed. In the Northeast, tribal communities who fought fiercely against colonizers were suppressed with modern weaponry. Many tribes were outlawed and marginalized unless they converted to Christianity. Today, across the "Seven Sister" states of the Northeast, very few Hindus remain.
The World Wars and the "Puppet" Leadership
During the World Wars, it would have been in the strategic interest of Hindus to either abstain from the conflict or join forces with British rivals like Germany and Japan (with whom India shared long-standing cultural ties). Instead, 3.5 million Indians fought for their British oppressors, led by leaders who acted as pro-British puppets.
What was the reward for this sacrifice?
Erasure: Modern Western media (movies, series, and books) whitewashes the contribution of these 3.5 million soldiers, glorifying European bravery while ignoring Indian existence.
Geopolitics: Had Indian forces stayed out of the war, the British likely would have lost, and India could have attained freedom as an undivided nation. The current border conflicts with Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China are direct legacies of this puppet leadership.
The Modern State of Hindu Rights
Today, among all religious groups in India, Hindus face the most restrictions regarding their right to practice their faith. India remains one of the few places where the state occupies the religious sites of the native faith, diverting donations to be managed by government bureaucrats.
Consider the following comparisons:
Saudi Arabia: Could we imagine the state seizing the revenue of Mecca or Medina to incentivize Muslims to convert to other faiths?
The West: Could we imagine Christian nations capturing all churches and using their funds to promote conversion away from Christianity?
Yet, this is the reality for Hindus in India. While groups like Parsis and Jews took refuge in India and integrated peacefully, the expansionist nature of other faiths remains a challenge. It is futile to blame a lion for eating meat; similarly, conversion, evangelism, and Dawah are seen as duties within those faiths. It is up to the "cow" or the "bull"—the Hindu community—to stop being naive. One cannot expect predatory forces to change their nature; one must instead stop expecting them to "eat grass" and act accordingly to protect their own interests.
An apology without restoration, reparations and atonement is just a deception.