I'm an Indian Muslim, this is my view on Hindu Rashtra

I'm an Indian Muslim, I'm also an engineer working in a top IT company in Bangalore. I don't usually comment or post on social media but today I'm just venting it out as it's becoming very confusing and my frustration is growing each day.<br><br>First of all, I want to share that my neighbors are all Hindus. They are very nice people, our kids play together, they invite us to their house on Diwali, and we invite them to our house on Eid. We are all like one big family.<br><br>Now, when it comes to this whole topic of Hindu Rashtra, honestly, I don't want it to happen. As a Muslim, even thinking about it sends shivers down my spine. What does Hindu Rashtra even mean? I don't want to live in any sort of religious state. <br><br>India isn't an Islamic republic nor should it be a Hindu Rashtra. Our Country is secular and that should be how it continues to function. I'm not saying this because I want to be treated like a privileged minority. I want this because I want to live in a secular, progressive and peaceful society where one religion doesn't overshadow the other. <br><br>Muslims are not tolerant but Hindus are more tolerant than Muslims. If that's the yardstick of what makes an Indian Hindu, then even an athiest or an agnostic Indian is more Hindu than an Indian Muslim. An Indian Muslim can't be more Indian than an Indian Hindu. I want to emphasize this. <br><br>I want to emphasize that your sentiment is fair and valid because these are facts. However, as a Muslim I would like to emphasize that we are Indians. We are from the same culture, same heritage, same traditions and same race. I would like to emphasize that as a Muslim I'm more Indian than an Italian is. <br><br>We can have disagreements but at the end of the day we share a common ancestry and heritage. Our present might be bad, but that doesn't make our past bad. <br><br>I believe that even if India should become a Hindu Rashtra, then it should be a secular Hindu Rashtra. For example, Nepal which is officially a Hindu state yet secular. <br><br>However, I would like to tell RSS that whatever you are planning, it's not going to happen. I would like to explain why. I'm not a historian but this is what I honestly believe happened - <br><br>During the last 1000 years of foreign invasions, primarily Muslims, then Christians, it was only Hindus that were protecting the native culture of this nation. During this period the whole of India was conquered but Hindus didn't give up. <br><br>You might have different opinions about Mughals or the British, but what happened happened. I will not apologize for that. However, one thing is for sure, if Hindus had not fought back, then Indian culture would have gone. We would all have either become Christians or Muslims. <br><br>I want to thank Hindus for that. <br><br>Please don't interpret what I'm saying as disrespect. I'm not being disrespectful. I'm honestly thankful. <br><br>Ever since the Britishers left, it's the Hindus that have been protecting this nation's sovereignty. I want to thank Hindus for that. <br><br>However, what did happen during the last 1000 years is not going to happen now. We are not going to convert to Hinduism. Ever. <br><br>We are certainly going to assimilate into the Indian mainstream much more. But we are not going to give up our religion. <br><br>And if you have a yardstick where everything else is secondary to Hinduism, then this nation will never be a Hindu Rashtra.<br><br>If you want to become a Hindu Rashtra, then it's going to be an endless war and bloodshed. And perhaps Hindus will win. But you will win a nation that will be similar to Pakistan. <br><br>Or perhaps Muslims will win and Hindus will lose. <br><br>But one thing is for sure. India will never be the same. <br><br>You might want a Hindu Rashtra. But are you ready for an endless civil war? Are you prepared to kill your neighbors? <br><br>There is this whole politics of us versus them. But who are the 'us' and who are the 'them'? <br><br>My neighbors are Hindu, are they 'them' or 'us'? <br><br>I've had the same set of neighbors for the last 10 years. They are very nice. We hang out together and our kids play together. <br><br>There are good and bad people everywhere. <br><br>I don't want to live in a nation where Muslims are treated poorly. I don't want to live in a nation where Hindus are treated poorly. I want to live in a nation where everyone is treated equally.<br><br>Right now I'm very uncomfortable with this whole Hindu Rashtra concept. But I'm hoping that things will change. <br><br>As a Muslim, I don't want to leave India. I don't want to live anywhere else. <br><br>I hope this nation continues to function as it is. <br><br>I don't want it to become like Pakistan. <br><br>And I'm sure that I'm not the only Muslim that thinks this way. <br><br>You are creating a massive divide in society. If you continue to do this, then you will reap what you sow. <br><br>This nation should always function as a secular democracy. <br><br>I believe that the Indian mainstream narrative should always be secular and progressive. <br><br>This should always be the narrative. <br><br>We can have disagreements, but we can't afford to fight with each other. <br><br>Ever.