Why is a Muslim Professor Offering to Take People Out to Eat Pork?

A Muslim professor at St. Stephen’s College is taking people out to eat pork to make a simple point about acceptance.

Beef and pork, Professor Ashley believes, are no longer just plain food, but heavily politicised items. (Photo: iStockphoto)

A Muslim professor at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi has just charted a little bit of history. In a unique protest, Professor Ashley NP has declared that he will take five people out to a pork lunch, even though he himself doesn’t eat pork for religious and cultural reasons.

Why, you ask? To drive home a simple point about tolerance that is sadly lost today.

In a post that he uploaded on his Facebook page on October 5 – that has now gone viral – Professor Ashley begins by saying:

Hi, I am Ashley, a Muslim. I don’t eat pork for religious, cultural and personal reasons. But I believe those who like to eat pork, should be allowed to eat pork and none should be forced to have pork.

Professor Ashley also sent us a velfie recording of his thoughts. Here is that video:

Professor Ashley Doesn’t Eat Pork Himself, But Wants to Take a Stand

The post is a powerful rejoinder to the recent Dadri lynching incident which yet again brought home the shameful and irrevocable truth – that communal forces are alive and kicking and dangerously close to home.

Prof. Ashley doesn’t eat pork for “religious and cultural reasons” but he doesn’t stop others from eating pork. (Courtesy: Facebook/Ashley NP)

Ashley himself doesn’t shy away from talking about it, as he continues in his post –

In the wake of 200 Hindutwa men killing a 58-year-old Muslim man, Mohammed Akhlaq, on the alleged eating of beef in Dadri, I have decided to offer to take 5 people who like to eat pork from Delhi out for lunch and order them their favourite pork dish.

The prospect sounds delicious – or at least it does to the many of us for whom attending a pork lunch is ‘no big deal’. Unfortunately though, the equation is not that simple in many parts of India.

I know eating pork is not banned anywhere in India. Nor has anyone got beaten to death for it. But it is good to give some of these people a sample of democracy, choices and humane, friendly behaviour. We don’t always have to militantly and cruelly insist everyone follows what we believe in.

Ashley, who was one of my professors at St. Stephen’s College, has confessed to being “overwhelmed” at all the media attention. (Courtesy: Facebook/Ashley NP)

Why Food is Being Used to Make a Point

The brave professor – who taught yours truly during much of her time at Stephen’s – was only too happy to talk about the lunch invite, when we reached out to him. In fact, he claims in slight bewilderment, he had “never expected such overwhelming media support and attention”.

So, why the idea of food to make a point?

I think food has in some sense become a short form for religious sentiments in our country. Pork-beef debates have become so polarised that the silliness of it is not even felt… I would understand and appreciate somebody who is vocal about beef ban, if he or she says ‘I wouldn’t go to America or Dubai for a job because they kill cows’. As that is evidently not the case, this is a way to consolidate communities around an emotionalised issue.

Such a protest would usually encourage a large amount of negative attention too – has Professor Ashley been approached by political elements trying to threaten or intimidate him?

I have received a lot of support. Threats too, yes, but they are minor. There’s been some character assassination as such people are clearly confused…

“The pork lunch invitation suggests a possibility to people,” says Professor Ashley. (Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Ashley NP)

“The Pork Lunch Suggests a Possibility”

We particularly loved the fact that Professor Ashley wants to keep the affair unobtrusive, insisting that his post has gained public attention “only because people have found something in it.”

It suggests a possibility. Nothing else.

We for one, believe this is so much more than just a possibility – it is a humane and democratic way of protesting against something barbaric and very, very real.

And when will the much coveted lunch be hosted? “In a day or two,” Ashley tell us.

Here’s his entire Facebook post: