On 20 December 2019, Friday, a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) saw thousands of ‘peaceful’ demonstrators gathering outside the Jama Masjid, after that day’s prayers. Following this, a constable’s car was set on fire, and eventually the demonstrators started pelting stones at the police.
Many life-threatening protests against the former Spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nupur Sharma, for her factually correct remarks on Prophet Muhammad were held on Friday in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The protest in December 2019 against the CAA was also held on a Friday, and as is known by political observers, Kashmir has a long list of protests that turned into riots and clashes with the Indian security forces on many Fridays.
What is so special about this day of the week?
It’s economics, not religion.
I remember my guru (closest word in English: teacher) telling me a story from his childhood. In his village, more than four decades ago, there lived a blacksmith. The blacksmith was a Muslim. He used to sharpen the blades of the chaff-cutting machine.
My guru, along with other children, used to carry blades to and from his shop. However, they were told not to take them on Friday, because on that day, the blacksmith used to visit the nearby town to offer his prayers. Therefore, his shop used to remain closed that day.
In this organised religion, people can gather within ten minutes on any day of the week, at any given point in time. But on Friday, since their commercial establishments are closed. So, there is no possibility of any kind of financial loss for them.
What’s needed is only planning, plotting and executing the events with a portrayal of being mere true followers in front of the media and activists. Then, the media and activists get on their job of defending them, and believers start their game of becoming victims, after creating all the ruckus. And in the end, the police have to come, as noted in various instances, the situation goes out of control, and at last, what gets captured in cameras are skull caps and beards.
Further, since the believers themselves are also present entirely within their own area on the fifth day of the week. So, the chances of getting caught in any retaliation get very minimal. As said, the mob doesn’t have a name.
That is why the ‘peaceful’ demonstrators prefer Friday.
I have heard many people saying that a believer does business for his/her faith, whereas a Hindu looks for business even in his/her faith.
This is true, but there is a caveat. The caveat is that a believer’s faith also strengthens his business, whereas a Hindu’s business destroys his religion. The reason for this lies in the difference between intellect and long-term vision.
Long-term vision alone distinguishes Homo sapiens from animals.
Kaushlesh Rai is a cultural commentator and the founder of The Dossier.