Why India should’ve taken a neutral stance on France

October’20 hasn’t been very peaceful for France. Started with the dumbest act of creating a cartoon (نَعُوْذُبِالله) of Prophet Mohd by a school teacher in France followed by the beheading of the teacher by some terrorist, not just disturbed the world peace but massively hurt the religious sentiments in the Muslim world.

In a country where blasphemy is legal in the name of “free speech”, the country head, Emmanuel Macron, rather than trying to maintain peace & harmony, rather supported the cartoons made by the teacher and also got them published in the media and posted them as ads on the tall buildings in the city. In a way, a direct attack not just on peace and harmony of the European country but also created massive anger in the Muslim world.

Where multiple Muslim countries, especially Turkey, confronted Macron for his stupidest and dumbest act, Muslim countries came forward to boycott French goods.

Where countries like Canada spoken strongly against blasphemy in France, India the largest democracy, and home to 1.3 bn people people with over 170 Million Muslims, surprisingly strongly supported Macron

Why India should have taken a neutral stance on France?

When the entire world including (most) Muslims condemned the murder of the school teacher who made the cartoon, no one ever supported the blasphemy, hate speech, and open provocation by hurting the religious sentiments

India, which is not just the largest democracy but most diverse nation in the world, where the preamble talks about the Fraternity, Integrity of We The People of India.., should never ever take any sides which talk about against the very idea of pluralism.

Although there are diplomatic and business reasons behind supporting France, but right now standing with Macron simply means you’re taking a definite side. The side that talks about hurting religious sentiments, disturbing peace & harmony, mocking religious sentiments, and encouraging majoritarianism. Which is against the very idea of India.

India has always taken a very neutral and responsible stance on such issues, but this time probably we supported majoritarianism than pluralism.

Indian which has taught the world about the very idea of a diverse and happy nation, Indian Govt should have condemned the killing of the teacher along with not supporting Macron on his dumbest act.

…..but too late now

I hope France gets back its peace and those who died in multiple terrorist attacks get their justice.

~Views expressed are personal