(I request all my friends, especially my Muslim friends, to read this and share their thoughts. Request not to get carried away by emotions.)
The rapid rise and spread of religious fanaticism (in this case Islamist) is very scary. It is so real and near. The theologians of hate have been greatly successful in brainwashing and poisoning our children.
As I walked into the school today, I overheard a girl student complaining to one of my colleagues that a classmate of her has been appealing to them to convert to Islam “to save themselves from the eternal hell fire after death.” She was emotional (insecure) as she recounted how this boy repeatedly appealed her and her friends even after they clearly conveyed their disinterest in the topic.
I felt disturbed at this and spoke to her to get the fact of the matter. I was shocked to learn that the classmate she was referring to was one of my students from last year, whom I fondly remember as a very loving and soft spoken boy. I have had meetings with his parents (related to his academics) and had found them to be pleasant.
After listening to her, I sent her back to class assuring that I will look into it. I decided to talk and see what’s happening with him.
A few minutes later, I met him at the corridor. As usual he smiled at me with a “good morning sir.” I returned the greeting with a smile. It was breakfast hour and both of us were on our way to cafeteria. As we strolled towards the stairs I gently brought up the issue and asked if what I heard was true. His face turned serious. After about half a minute he replied, “yes sir”. I waited for him to continue. But he grew quiet. I encouraged him to speak and told that I am interested to know his side of the story.
“Sir, my mom recently completed a 3 years course in Islamic studies and is being felicitated at a convention this Sunday at [asr] auditorium in Cudddalore (Tamil Nadu) . As part of the convention, learned [Islamic] scholars from Chennai and Saudi [Arabia] are coming. In the convention they will speak about [the glory of] Islam and appeal to all non-Muslims to convert to Islam. [One] thousand Hindus will embrace Islam on that day. They will also show [horiffic] videos of what will happen to non-Muslims after death. I saw a few them myself. It is horrific. I don’t want my [non-Muslim] friends to be tortured like that [after death].
“Sir, you will not believe. You will be shocked. I can give you links to the YouTube videos.”
[I am yet to verify the authenticity of what he said regarding the horiffic videos and mass conversion to Islam in Cuddalore on this Sunday]
As he concluded, I asked him if he really believed that “all non-Muslims will be condemned to eternal hell” by Allah. He replied in affirmative with conviction. I asked him how he was sure about it. The reply was, “the book says it. And the book is the word of the God.” I was surprised at the “faith” he has towards his holy (or unholy?) book.
I was very conscious of not provoking him or hurting his sentiments. After all he is sincere. He genuinely believe that being a Muslim is the only way to escape the horrors of hell arranged by the God (what kind of God that is?!) for the non believers. His young mind is not at fault. The fault is with whoever indoctrinated him to this violent and intolerant idea of Islam (religion).
I gently enquired what he thought about the idea of secularism that we had discussed in detail in the previous year in their political science course. I remember spending around 4 hours on the topic (over a week), discussing it from various stand points, reaching a consensus and encouraging all the students (which includes him) to take a pledge that they will forever uphold the secular and pluralist ethos of India as enshrined in Her sacred constitution. I had felt a lot of satisfaction that day. I had considered it my success as a teacher. Little did I realise then that the theologians of hate could undo all of it with such an ease.
He replied me with a blank stare. He was puzzled, unable to understand how the concept of secularism and pluralism related to what he told his friends today.
The bell rang. Breakfast time was over. I patted him on his back and told that we should continue our conversation at a later time. As we parted wishing good day to each other, he held my hand and said,
“Sir, I didn’t intend to hurt anyone. But I am scared that my [non-Muslim] friends, including you, are destined for hell. I don’t want that to happen.”
I was pained. I mentally directed all my rage at that wretched theologian who injected such stupidity, but deep seated fear in my student.
How long will we turn a blind eye towards this trying to be politically correct? It’s time we did something concrete. We should not let them poison our children.
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Srinath Mohandas
August 05, 2016
Śrīnāth Mohandās 
wow sir great article!!! congrats!!!