People's Democracy

Jaundiced Eyes

Following is a statement issued by Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Javed Anand, Teesta Setalvad, Nikhil Wagle, Hasan Kamal, Alyque Padamsee and Sajjid Rashid:

ELECTIONS 2004 will be remembered for the rank opportunism of the Indian political class. The BJP, which can truly take credit for the consolidation of the Hindu vote bank is today through the green phetas and pogdis being donned by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani in an all-out bid to placate Muslims. While engaged in this process, however, it is shocking to see what Advani and Vajpayee actually think of the Indian Muslim. ‘Hindu-Muslim tanav kam karne ka ek sabse prabhavit tareeka hamne socha hai ki Hindustan-Pakistan ki doori kam ki jaye!’ (The most effective reduce way we have figured to reduce Hindu-Muslim tensions is by improving India-Pakistan relations.) (Advani in NDTV India, March 3)

A similar statement of this nature of Vajpayee a week ago shows exactly what this section of the political class thinks of the aspirations and inclinations of Indian Muslims. No wonder their followers often raise slogans like ‘Mussalman ka ek hi sthan, Pakistan ya kabristan’ (There are only two choices for the Muslim – Pakistan or the graveyard.) This mindset equates Indian Muslims with Pakistan. It is a shame that both Vajpayee and Advani think Indo-Pak friendship is a bribe that can be offered to Indian Muslims in return for their vote and not a laudable aim in itself. If this be their opinion of the Indian Muslim, how can the interests of the community be safe in their hands?

When will the political class respond to the real needs of every section, including Muslims—peace, security of life and property, employment opportunities, equal access to education and justice? A long while, it seems, before the electoral agenda actually becomes a people’s agenda.