I am an Indian born in Pakistan, a Punjabi born in Islam: Tarek Fatah

"I am an Indian born in Pakistan, a Punjabi born in Islam; an immigrant in Canada with a Muslim consciousness, grounded in a Marxist youth. I am one of Salman Rushdie’s many Midnight’s Children."

That's how Tarek Fatah -- an author, columnist and political commentator likes to introduce himself.

Known for his fiery stance on Pakistan, Tarek Fatah, currently in India supports the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre on its steadfast stance that ‘triple talaq’ must go. Fatah even calls “Urdu” an imperialistic language.

“Many take pride in the fact that they know, how to write and read Urdu, here in India. This language was imposed on us.”

Continuing with his tirade against Pakistan, in an interaction with The Economic Times later, Tarek Fatah, said, “People who want Islamic laws can go to Syria, Somalia and Nigeria,” while adding, in a fight between Allah’s Islam and Mullah’s (fundamentalists) Islam, the former will win.

The Supreme Court is hearing petitions against the triple talaq as many Muslim women in recent years have approached the judiciary against the practice. Opposition Congress, joined by influential Muslim organisations, including The All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) have accused the government of creating an “internal war” by trying to review the community’s personal laws on divorce and polygamy.

“95% of Muslims of Deoband, Bareli,Patna, Bombay, Madras voted for Muslim League leader Mohammad Ali Jinnah for creation of Pakistan. They butchered this country (India) and stayed back to get Haj subsidy,” Tarek Fatah said.

Preaching caution, Tarek Fateh doesn’t want people to categorise him in the league of “Modi Bhagats”.

“I appreciate the work done by this Government, at the same time, I am no one’s Bhagat,” replies Tarek, when asked by the moderator – a senior Haryana cadre IAS officer Dr. Sumita Mishra, chairperson of the Chandigarh Literary Festival.