by Ishtiyaque Danish

The views expressed in the article do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of the Newsletter (editor)

Being twelve per cent in the population, the Muslims are too large a segment to ignore. Of late the BJP apparently seems to have realized it. As a result they, too, are wooing the Muslims this time as do other political parties. But there is a subtle difference that must be kept in mind.

The BJP is seeking the Muslim vote on two grounds. First, they say, perhaps rightly, that the Congress and other political formations have used the Muslim community only as a vote bank. Second, they claim that since they have improved relations with Pakistan, therefore, the Muslim community must vote for them.

The BJP’s logic is strange, to say the least. Do they think that Muslims have not been voting for them because they were anti-Pakistan? The fact is that the Muslim community is as much rooted in India as any other segment of the population, and most of their concerns are also the same that bother their fellow countrymen. Like the majority population of India, they believe in secular polity and as a result have been voting for secular formations. If the BJP is interested in Muslim votes, they need to effect changes in their ideology, policy and programmes that would appeal to and win the Muslim mind. What if relations with Pakistan again worsen? Should Muslims, then, vote against BJP even if it does some good to them.

Pakistan, like Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, is our neighbour. And the practical wisdom demands that our relations should be cordial and friendly with all our neighbours. The warming of relations between India and Pakistan is a highly welcome development, pregnant with expectations of huge economic rewards for both the countries. This should be reason enough for bettering relations with Pakistan and all meaningful steps should be taken for further improvement in bilateral ties. Friendship with Pakistan should not be trivialized by tying it up with the Muslim votes.

The BJP is promising Muslims to work for their economic and educational betterment if they vote for them. This is what the Muslims need badly, and for this reason alone, they would prefer to vote for the BJP. But there are problems. There is a whole history of venomous campaign against the Muslims which often resulted in communal riots, even pogroms. Moreover, the BJP’s promises are too weak to rely upon. They gave a solemn pledge to the Supreme Court and to the National Integration Council that they would not harm the Babri mosque. How they broke their promise and destroyed the Babri mosque is a pretty well known story.

The BJP, being the political wing of the Sangh Parivar, should come out with a long term programme and strategy and try to win the Muslim mind. No one is going to be fooled by promises made on the eve of a general election. For so many years, they have been anti-Muslims, have been involved in riots and pogroms and have been suspecting the Muslims’ loyalty to the country that they would find it difficult to take the BJP’s promises seriously.

The BJP would be well advised to first initiate a dialogue with the Muslim community. Over the years they have done a lot to alienate the Muslim community which they must rectify now. On a long-term basis they need to approach and engage the Muslim, give them an economic and educational package and assure them that their lives, properties, religious places and identity would be well protected in their dispensation. Unless such things happen practically, the bulk of the Muslim community will remain alienated from the BJP.

The BJP’s wooing of Muslim votes has shaken the political formations that always took them for granted. But their reaction is pathetic and has left much to be desired. Specially the Congress still appears to be confused. Who wants them to tell the Muslims about BJP’s catalogue of crimes against the Muslims? For their survival the Congressmen need to change, and they specially need to redefine their Muslim policy as well as their commitment to secularism. Their vagueness on crucial issues has done no good to them nor has it been appealing to the Muslim minds. Perhaps more than the BJP, it is the Congress that needs to redefine its Muslim policy and do concrete things for the welfare of the community whose vote is crucial for their political future in the country. Otherwise, they would stand discredited.

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