All Izz Well or All Izz Hell?

Recently a post by a certain Dr. Rangwala got viral on Facebook. Later she wrote it as an article for Huffington post titled "My Husband And I Are Thriving Muslim Professionals In India. We Have Only Felt Acceptance". 

First of all, it's a very well written piece. She describes how she and her IIT educated husband faced no hatred towards them for being Muslims. She questions the recent debate in the country on Intolerance, and calls it "fake". She spent first 18 years of her life in Kuwait and finds India much better in comparison.

One can argue about whether or not intolerance is increasing in the country, or whether it's only getting more "visible" these days. 

She says 

An ordinary citizen like my husband and I are not facing any such issues, then what have they (the Khans) faced? 

This is a valid question. It would be very interesting to ask our superstars what discrimination (if any) they personally felt over the years. But the underlying assumption here is that one can protest about something only when they are directly affected by it. In fact it is the duty of every citizen to to fight against any ills of the society, in their own capacity. When parliament members make statements that are hateful and incite violence, no person is directly affected by mere words. Still, they must be condemned. Why did so many people protest on the roads in the aftermath of the Nirbhaya case? They were not directly affected by it. Why then? 

My second problem with her post is the last two sentences.

How long can I expect majority of Hindus to tolerate this nuisance? It's high time that Muslims understand the value of the freedom and acceptance that we enjoy in India and if not, I pray that my Hindu fellow citizens continue to keep their patience.

It is highly patronizing towards both Hindus and Muslims in India. It gives an impression that Hindus should be praised for not "rioting" and Muslims should not complain (about any actual discrimination they might have faced) because India is better than some other regressive countries. This is unfair towards people with legitimate grievances. It is like telling a married woman that her abusive husband is good because "at least he does not hit her, like some other husbands". Note - I am not saying that all Hindus are inimical towards all Muslims (and vice a versa). In a country of the size of India, one cannot assume *any* absolute generalization about society. In India you can be discriminated against on the basis on your gender, caste, religion, food habits so on and so forth. 

Instead of comparing our country with some regressive countries and being satisfied with it, we should rather strive for what is ideal. By all practical means, India may be a better choice when compared to Kuwait or other middle eastern countries; but that does not mean we are perfect. One cannot take either extremes. Dr. Rangwala's personal experience does not invalidate the hostility faced by some other sections of Muslims in India. We should be balanced in both criticism and praise of the Indian society. Shouting either All Izz Well or All Izz Hell, does not help. No matter which side of the debate you are on, once you talk in absolutes, the other side stops listening.

Does that mean positive success stories of Muslims in Indian society, do not serve any purpose? Not at all. They should certainly be written and spread around, but not be used to deny some other unfortunate incidences that happen from time to time.

For more views about what is it like to be an Indian Muslim - check out https://www.quora.com/What-is-it-like-to-be-an-Indian-Muslim