As a Hindu child growing up in India, I often heard stereotypes about Muslims—what they do, how they behave, and why they should be viewed with suspicion.
But life taught me something very different.
One of the strongest guiding figures in my life was my principal ma'am, who belonged to the Muslim community. She encouraged me, motivated me, and supported my growth when it mattered the most.
In Class 7, I found one of my closest friends, Fouziya. While many people were jealous of my academic achievements, she accepted me wholeheartedly. Years later, even after her marriage, our friendship remains strong.
These experiences taught me a simple truth: people should be judged by their character, not by their religion.
I live in Uttar Pradesh, a state often portrayed as a stronghold of Hindu identity. Yet, if we look beyond political narratives, we find many contradictions in the stories we are told. We are encouraged to judge entire communities for certain practices, while often ignoring similar behaviors within our own circles.
History and nation-building have never belonged to one religion alone.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, one of India's most respected Presidents, played a pivotal role in strengthening India's scientific and strategic capabilities. His contributions protected and empowered every Indian, regardless of religion.
Today, I see a worrying trend where hatred is used as a political tool. Divide people by religion, keep them busy fighting one another, and they will have less time to question corruption, governance failures, inequality, unemployment, education, healthcare, or systemic inefficiencies.
The British used "divide and rule." We should be careful whenever anyone tries to use the same strategy in a different form.
I often ask myself:
• Why do honest reformers face resistance while many powerful wrongdoers escape accountability?
• Why do education, healthcare, and public welfare initiatives sometimes become targets of controversy?
• Why do examination leaks, administrative failures, and governance issues continue despite promises of reform?
• Why is public outrage often directed at communities rather than systems that affect millions of lives?
As an educated young Indian, I refuse to believe that hatred is patriotism.
Patriotism is building a better country.
Patriotism is demanding accountability.
Patriotism is ensuring equal opportunities.
Patriotism is respecting people who contribute to society, regardless of their religion.
India's strength has always been its diversity.
I am proud of my faith.
I respect other people's faith.
And I will never support discrimination against any Indian based on religion, caste, or community.
A stronger India will not be built through division.
It will be built through educ
ation, empathy, accountability, and unity.
These experiences taught me a lesson that no textbook ever could:
Character has no religion. Kindness has no religion. Humanity has no religion.
As I grew older, I also started studying history beyond headlines and political speeches.
I discovered that many of the things we use today were shaped by contributions from people belonging to different faiths and cultures.
The foundations of algebra were developed by Al-Khwarizmi. Modern medicine was influenced by Ibn Sina. Optics and scientific experimentation were advanced by Ibn al-Haytham. Al-Biruni contributed significantly to astronomy, geography, and scientific inquiry.
In India, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad helped shape our education system. Ashfaqulla Khan sacrificed his life for India's freedom. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam strengthened India's scientific and strategic capabilities and inspired millions of young Indians to dream bigger.
The Taj Mahal stands as one of the most admired architectural wonders in the world. Countless Muslim artists, teachers, doctors, soldiers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and civil servants have contributed to the growth of our nation.
And this is only one side of the story.
India has also been shaped by the contributions of Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, and Parsi communities. From Aryabhata to Swami Vivekananda, from Bhagat Singh to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, from scientists to soldiers, from teachers to entrepreneurs—our nation was built collectively.
Which is why I often wonder:
Why are we taught to hate entire communities instead of learning from the best individuals among them?
Why do political debates focus so much on religion while millions of young people struggle with unemployment, education quality, healthcare access, inflation, and corruption?
Why do we spend so much time arguing over identities and so little time questioning systems?
History shows that "divide and rule" was one of the most successful tools used by colonial powers. A divided population is easier to control than a united one.
As an educated young Indian, I refuse to believe that patriotism means hating another community.
Patriotism means building a better country.
Patriotism means demanding accountability.
Patriotism means ensuring quality education for every child.
Patriotism means supporting healthcare, innovation, entrepreneurship, and equal opportunity.
Patriotism means respecting every citizen who contributes positively to society, regardless of their religion.
I am proud to be Hindu.
But my pride in my faith does not require hatred towards someone else's faith.
India's greatest strength has never been uniformity.
It has always been diversity.
And the day we start judging people by their character, competence, and contribution instead of their religion, caste, surname, or background, we will become a stronger nation than ever before.
Let's build an India where humanity is louder than hatred, knowledge is stronger th
an propaganda, and unity is greater than division.
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