Whom Should Muslims Vote?

In 2003, once while travelling in a local train from Gaya to Patna, I listened to a 'general political talk', as is the wont, among a group of teachers. Corruption and Lau Yadav's contribution to Muslims' welfare in Bihar was the issue of heated exchange of words. One of the discussants was a Muslim, whose Hindu colleague, when a lot was said, commented thus: "In spite of all that you (Muslims) will vote for the RJD, not the BJP."

"You are right. Not because Lalu or RJD is of any help to the Muslims, but because it checks BJP from coming to power. RJD is a mongoose that keeps snake (BJP) in check", the Muslim teacher retorted back. For a while, there was an uneasy silence, as the writing on the wall was loud and clear.

Appeasement And Muslims' Dilemma

I don't know that was or has been a general feeling of alienation or escapism among Muslims, but one thing is sure, no political party has done anything concrete for the Muslims except some lip service to arouse emotional appeal though the community has been wrongly accused by the BJP and its allies for what is called 'minority appeasement'. Instead of being appeased, Muslims have, in fact, paid the price due to the wrong projection and vehement campaign of this policy. Muslims have been, due to media propaganda of BJP's murky politics on this, viewed as leaning towards either the Congress or other secular parties, not the BJP.

Amidst myriad views and opinions among Muslim masses, one in recent years that has gained ground is that while the BJP is an open enemy, the Congress proved to be no friend; therefore, they argue, that Muslims should go for neither. As a result Muslim are caught between two monsters - the Scylla and Charybdis. And regional parties like SP, RJD, TDP and NCP are rabble-rousers and emotion enhancers signifying nothing. Take for example, the Congress list for the Lok Sabha elections. The party has never nominated a Muslim from any of Delhi's seats in the Lok Sabha. Since 1952, albeit 42 people have so far contested on Congress tickets - not even one has been a Muslim. Thanks to appeasement policy propaganda (see Box 1 for a survey report).

Box 1: A Survey On Appeasement Policy

A survey, conducted among Indian Muslims by Imran Ali and Yoginder Sikand shows that various governments "took little or no heed to these suggestions [made by various commissions], using the commissions simply as vote-grabbing gimmicks in order to give the impression of being serious about Muslim 'backwardness', but, in fact, doing precious little about it." The survey shows that the economic condition of the Indian Muslims is pathetic indeed. "30.4% reported an annual household income of less than Rs.10,000, 24.4% between Rs.10,001-Rs20,000, 7.5% between Rs.20,001-Rs.30,000, 3.8% between Rs.30,001-Rs.40,000, 1% between Rs.40.001-Rs.50,000 and 5.6% above Rs.50,000…. a significant 27.6% live in jhuggis in slums…. 46.1% respondents live in one-room houses…" If the Indian Muslims were "appeased" by various governments why is their economic condition so pathetic? The answer is that they were not appeased; but only made to look like so! Vested interests had ulterior motives in doing that.

But what should Muslims do in the coming general elections? Should they float a new political party, like some of our concerned political figures have done (see Box 2), or remain with Congress, SP, RJD, BJP, or TDP, or Trinamool Congress? If Muslims support the BJP, it would plot their extinction. If not, it would plot their annihilation via riots. More important is the fact what benefits the BJP is the loss of secular ethos in this country, which means a win for BJP is the victory of communal forces. This would lead to political setback for Muslims, who have been wisely sidelined from all policy decisions and programme implementation. Sacher Committee report also found that there is some truth in the allegation about a systematic conspiracy to deny Indian Muslims any meaningful political participation. For example, in states like Bihar, UP, (both where the two Yadavs - Laloo Prasad and Mulayam Singh - are supposed to be appeasing the Muslims) and West Bengal, "Muslim concentration assembly constituencies (are) declared as 'reserved' constituencies where only SC candidates can contest elections."

Box 2: Muslim Political Parties

United Democratic Front: This is perhaps the most formidable Muslim political party launched by Maulana Badruddin Ajmal of AUDF which won 13 seats in the 2005 Assam polls.

UP Milli Mahaz: Formed by three existing parties-PPI, AIMM and NLP, all of which have fought elections. AIMM: Political party in Hyderabad, won 2004 Lok Sabha seat of Hyderabad city.

Ulema Council: Newly created party that held rallies in Delhi and Lucknow and plans to contest 8 seats in Uttar Pradesh.

Secular Ekta Party: Formed by Haji Shahid Akhlaque, after denial of ticket by SP.

MMK: Launched in Chennai by M.H.Jawahirullah to strive for the development of the nation, welfare of minorities and the underprivileged sections.

Peace Party of India: Launched by surgeon Dr Mohammad Ayub to unite Dalits, Muslims and the backward classes.

People's Democratic Front (PDF): Existing Muslim parties include Salauddin Khan's the Peace Party of India led by Mohammad Ayub, the Majlis-e-Mashawart and the National Loktantrik Party.

Insaan Dosti Party: Led by former director-general of police S.M. Naseem.

Voting Patterns

Let me focus two crucial factors so far voting patterns are concerned. In Indian poll history, patriotism tinged with emotional spice has played a very important role in tilting the balance of vote patters. For four decades, or till the end of Rajiv Gandhi government in 1989, Congress had had a monopoly over Muslim votes, as if it was the sole guardian of Muslims' welfare. However, the Congress leaders, many of whom, I, like millions in this country, have heard lauding the party's efforts in winning independence for India and shouting abuses against the Imperialist Raj. By rousing nationalist fervour, the Congress asked for remuneration for the work the leaders of this party had done during freedom struggle. Thus emotional game plan via 'election manifestos' was palpably obvious that worked to fetch votes from both Hindus and Muslims.

Then came the Babri mosque issue. It was a turning point in Indian history. Rajiv Gandhi, who ordered the unlocking of the Babri mosque in 1986, favoured Hindu religious emotion, which led to its demolition in 1992, as there was hardly any immediate issue for him to regain power. But it was a great betrayal for Muslims, who felt disillusioned, alienated and angry with the Congress. And with this alienation of Muslims from the Congress came the coalition government era - the biggest jolt to a compact democracy in India. This alienation still continues.

M-Y Combination

In search of a peaceful living and security, Muslims switched over from Congress to other secular parties. And to an extent, Muslims in Bihar and UP have been saved from the wrath of communal riots. Security for Muslims has been top priority since independence, which means, security, not from external enemy but those within the country during riots. Political parties know this Achilles Heels of Muslims, and in order to exploit this psyche, they play vote bank politics, which is the arch villain among the motives found in Indian politics. Two Yadavas - Lalu Prasad Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav - tried Muslims-Yadav (MY) combination successfully. Along with, MY, these two leaders got the benefits of OBCs (20%), along with Muslims (10%) and Yadav (10%) and have been able to defeat the BJP.

BJP's Vote Bank Plan

If generating votes out of its work in the national movement patriotism is so emotional an issue that the Congress could manage to rule for four decades, then what can be more fanatically emotional than religion tinged with nationalism in India? That was the secret mantra that leaders of the RSS and Jan Sangh devised, and like, the British, left no stone unturned in following the dictum: divide and rule. Ramjanambhoomi issue and L K Advani's Rath Yatra was a brainchild of that meticulously planned political strategy. But it proved lethal as well - the great Hindu-Muslim divide of today that we are witnessing.

The BJP, as a political strategy, pitched Hindus against Muslims to create a majority vote bank and succeeded. Alas, like what the Congress did with Muslims, the BJP did with the Hindus: in five years of NDA rule, the BJP failed to fulfill the promise on which the party came to power in 1999.

So, to Hindu voters, Rajnath Singh's recent pledge to build a Ram Temple at Ayodhaya seems as hollow as a cylinder made out of reed. Just read the "Resolution on The UPA Government's vote-bank politics" passed at the BJP National Council Meeting on 23& 24 December 2006, held at Lucknow: "The National Council of the Bharatiya Janata Party records the country's growing condemnation of the Congress-led UPA Government's vote-bank politics, particularly its practice of communal appeasement. Earlier, the wooing of the Muslim community was couched in the language of minority welfare. Today, the UPA Government has shed its camouflage and is explicitly courting the Muslim community alone." The BJP called the Sachar Committee report as "shameful act."

As the country grew, the intelligence of the people also grew, and with this growth came a sense of identifying the hidden agenda of political parties. And as 'you can not fool all the people all the time', the political parties, like advertisement agencies, are busy in devising novel plans, not to help out the citizens, but to befool them with their newer tricks of the game. Now the Congress, like the BJP that stopped even talking about Ramjanabhoomi issue in public, does not talk about its role in gaining independence for the country, as it will not work with generation next voters. So, should the voters not think a few steps forward than what the political parties would offer as sops?

Why Should Muslims Vote For Secular Parties?

The Okhla including Jamia Nagar with a majority Muslim population was in turmoil after police shot dead two terrorists for alleged involvement in the Delhi serial blasts on September 13. See what Mukul Kesvan writes about the voting pattern in Okhla in the recently concluded Assembly polls: "Among the three main Muslims candidates, two were known for aggressive pan-Islamist actions like climbing atop mobile signal towers to protest Saddam Hussain's execution and had been at the forefront of protests after the police encounter. But the Muslim electorate rejected the two and voted a Muslim candidate from the Congress who argued during campaign that Muslims had to find solutions within the Indian system. That Muslims displayed diverse political choices by casting votes for all three suggests that there is nothing like a Muslim vote bank."

He is very right. Muslims need to find solution within the system, rather than separating from it via floating political parties, which may be or made to be branded as anti-national groups, sooner or later somehow. And why Congress? You remember the mongoose I talked about in the beginning. And since it is an all-India party, it has wider political bases though it perhaps has limitation in helping Muslims, but will act as anti-dote. Secondly, Muslims need to make formidable positions while working within the system with mainstream political parties, especially the Congress, SP, RJD, BSP, etc. Well, Muslim can go for other secular parties as well, but the problem is in a triangular fight between two secular parties and the BJP, it is the latter that always gains. We must understand this.

Photo: Muslim Egg Vendor, Mumbai

Some Data Reference: India Today