TLDR;
Arfa Khanum Sherwani reflects on the experiences of Indian Muslims during Narendra Modi's 11 years in power, framing it as a long, ongoing "horror film" marked by discrimination, fear, and alienation. She juxtaposes the celebrations of Modi's birthday with the harsh realities faced by Muslims, including violence, marginalization, and the constant questioning of their loyalty. The video concludes with a poignant message from the Muslims of India, wishing Modi a long life while also presenting him with the "gift of memory"—a reminder of how history will judge his actions and their impact on the community.
- Muslims in India have lived under a shadow of fear and discrimination during Modi's tenure.
- The community feels like a "necessary enemy," used to fuel political narratives.
- The video highlights instances of violence, marginalization, and the questioning of Muslim loyalty.
- It contrasts the celebration of Modi's birthday with the harsh realities faced by Indian Muslims.
- The message concludes with a call for historical accountability regarding the treatment of Muslims in India.
Introduction: A Birthday Wish and a Reflection [0:00]
The video opens with a seemingly celebratory tone, stating that 20 crore Muslims in India have gathered to wish Narendra Modi a happy birthday, marking his 75th year. This is quickly juxtaposed with the reality of the past 11 years under Modi's government, described as a period of unmatched governance but also one filled with fear and discrimination for the Muslim community. The speaker highlights the sense of being treated as second-class citizens and strangers in their own country.
The "Horror Film": Experiences of Muslims in India [2:36]
The speaker describes the experiences of Muslims in India as akin to watching a long horror film, where they are the actors and those in power are the producers and directors. This film includes instances of lynching in the name of cow protection, the demolition of homes under the pretext of encroachment, police brutality, and prolonged detentions without trial. The speaker also mentions the open display of anti-Muslim sentiments, such as playing hateful songs in front of mosques, the desecration of dargahs, and the economic and social exclusion of Muslims in various states.
The Role of Media and Institutions [4:33]
During the "interval" of this metaphorical film, TV anchors are portrayed as fueling division by questioning the loyalty of Muslims who chose to stay in India after partition. The speaker points out the repetitive and coordinated nature of anti-Muslim rhetoric across different media channels, citing examples like "Love Jihad," "Land Jihad," and the constant labeling of Muslims as traitors or foreigners. The speaker also criticizes the complicity of various institutions, including the police, judiciary, and legal professionals, in perpetuating injustice against Muslims.
The Muslim Identity: A "Necessary Enemy" [6:54]
The speaker questions what Narendra Modi represents to Muslims and what Muslims represent to Modi. She posits that Muslims have become a "necessary enemy" for the BJP, essential for maintaining their political narrative and existence. This is illustrated through divisive rhetoric such as "80 vs 20" and the use of derogatory terms like "Mian Muslim."
A Birthday Gift: The Memory of History [7:23]
The video contrasts the celebration of Modi's birthday with the harsh realities faced by Muslims, such as the BJP Assam's video showing Muslims selling beef and the claim that illegal immigrants have taken over Assam. The speaker concludes by stating that the Muslims of India want to give Modi a gift: the gift of memory. This gift is intended to remind him of how history will remember his actions, particularly the destruction, injustice, and imprisonment suffered by Muslims during his tenure. The speaker ends by highlighting the contradiction of Muslims being forced to live as outsiders in their own country despite their commitment to India.