Salman Khurshid launches his book in Kolkata

Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid launched his book 'Visible Muslim, Invisible Citizen – Understanding Islam in Indian Democracy' at a function organised by Prabha Khaitan Foundation in Kolkata. The book explains Islam to those non-Muslims, who do not know enough about it, places the identity of Indian Muslim in the context of Indian Democracy, and deciphers the Muslim mind in social and political contexts, beyond theology.

Salman Khurshid, alluding to the abrogation of Article 370 by the NDA Government, said that the Government has a tough task to win back the trust of the Kashmiri people. He also said that we have given the Supreme Court a difficult choice of giving a verdict on the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid controversy that would bond the country. It would have been best if the matter could have been settled mutually.

"We are against the manner in which Article 370 was abrogated and it has legal and moral implications. If this abolition of special status brings development and peace, we would support it," the former external affairs Minister said after a session with documentary filmmaker Sangita Datta. He castigated Pakistan for trying to internationalize an internal matter of India.

"We are lucky we never pursued or be like powers that be to confirm to a particular way of life. But suddenly the public discourse in the country is being defined by what we eat, how we look and what we read."

"This is an anti-Indian way of thinking. Many people think unity will come with uniformity. We would lose something very precious if this continues. India has always celebrated diversity by not conforming to a particular way of life," Khurshid said.