Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai, Islam
During my time in Mumbai, a conversation with a well-traveled Hindu man offered a starkly different perspective. He expressed a deep-seated wariness of Muslim governance, citing historical examples in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) and Iran to illustrate his concerns about potential restrictions on freedoms. He specifically mentioned Kashmir, India's only Muslim-majority state, cautioning against the possibility of a Muslim-led government gaining power, referencing historical instances of Muslim rule in the subcontinent. This conversation lingered in my mind, and it resurfaced with a heavy heart upon learning of the recent, brutal attacks on Hindu tourists in Kashmir by the Resistance Front (Mashal & Raj, 2025). This act of violence shatters any illusion of calm in the long-restive region, highlighting the fragility of peace and the ever-present tension between India and Pakistan over the contested territory of Kashmir, an area with a Muslim majority (Mashal & Raj, 2025). The attack, which resulted in the deaths of at least 26 civilians and left over a dozen wounded, underscores the volatile situation and raises concerns in New Delhi about a potential escalation of cross-border conflict (Mashal & Raj, 2025).
Understanding the historical context of the Kashmir conflict is crucial. Initially, as Behera (2006) elucidates, the dispute was primarily political, centered on the strategic importance of Kashmir for the consolidation of India and Pakistan following the 1947 partition. Both the National Congress and the Muslim League vied for the region's accession, with religious justifications emerging somewhat later to bolster their claims (Behera, 2006). However, the nature of the conflict evolved significantly, particularly after the 1990s. The Kashmiri insurgency saw the rise of Islamist militant groups, often supported by Pakistan, who framed the struggle as a religious jihad against the Hindu-majority Indian state, seeking Kashmir's merger with Pakistan (Behera, 2006). This ideological shift, marked by slogans emphasizing Islamic law and the expulsion of the Kashmiri Pandit minority, revealed a deliberate attempt to mobilize support on religious grounds, moving away from the initial focus on Kashmiri nationalism (Behera, 2006).
Faced with such deep-seated tensions and the tragic consequences of religious extremism, the path forward must be one of understanding and love. As Christians, we are called to emulate the unconditional love of Jesus, who taught us in Matthew 7:1, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." This profound teaching urges us to approach those of different faiths not with condemnation but with empathy and respect for their diverse backgrounds and beliefs. While our personal faith may hold profound truths for us, judging others for their spiritual paths is not our place to do. Instead, we are called to tolerance and mutual understanding, recognizing our shared humanity despite differing perspectives.
St Peters Church In Bandra, Mumbai, Christianity
Karim (2024) offers insightful perspectives on fostering peace, emphasizing that "organized forgetting has engendered ignorance about shared religious values and histories of harmonious coexistence." He stresses the importance of acknowledging the overlaps between religions and critiques the monolithic framework that often overlooks the rich history of interfaith interactions. Karim (2024) suggests that political and faith leaders must actively counter narratives of religious essentialism and promote the understanding of interfaith histories. Institutions, including those representing guru-pir traditions and the Aga Khan network, possess the potential to raise awareness of the peace-making power inherent in the intersections of faith (Karim, 2024). By studying and showcasing the productive outcomes of these intersecting religious traditions, we can begin to dismantle the perception of religions as entirely separate and inherently conflictual entities (Karim, 2024).
Worship Near Crawford Market, Mumbai, Hinduism
In the face of violence and division, choosing love might seem like a simplistic answer, yet it is a profound and powerful one. It requires a dedicated effort to see beyond religious labels and recognize the shared human dignity in each individual. Drawing inspiration from the very essence of Jesus' teachings, we are called to spread love, not hate, and to build bridges of understanding rather than walls of division. The path to peace in regions like Kashmir and throughout South Asia lies in actively cultivating empathy, fostering dialogue, and remembering the intertwined histories and values that bind communities together. It is a journey that demands persistent effort and an unwavering commitment to loving our neighbors, regardless of their faith.
References
Behera, N. C. (2006). Redefining the parameters. In Demystifying Kashmir (pp. 4-29). Brookings Institution Press.
Karim, K. H. (2024, February 9). Tackling Hindu-Muslim conflict at the interstices of faith. Georgetown Journal of International Affairs.
Mashal, M., & Raj, S. (2025, April 23). Slaughter of civilians in Kashmir shatters an illusion of calm. The New York Times.
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