Modi’s ‘Vishwas’ and Minorities

Sir,

The recent Lok Sabha elections saw polarisation and a near total divide of the electorate. The results of the elections with a huge win for BJP and win for Modi has overwhelmed and numbed the Muslim community.

An unwanted and imaginary fear has creeped into their cadres because of lynchings, unpleasant rhetoric and the way they have been treated in the past few years. They are apprehensive nowadays of what is in store for them in future. It is another matter that the Congress deftly exploited Muslims and used them for their vote-bank politics all these years.

Prime Minister Modi has been saying ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ from 2014 and he has always mentioned the nation’s 1.3 billion population in his speeches. Now, he has also added ‘Sabka Vishwas’ (trust) to this slogan. ‘Vishwas’ of whom? Obviously it hints at the minorities, and if we are reading it right, of the Muslims, especially.

The PM, in his new term, wants to make poverty eradication a priority, and has talked about inclusiveness with emphasis. He is aware that a majority of Muslims live in utter penury, hopelessness and deplorable conditions, living in ghettos and slums. Nothing much has changed for them in the past 70 and odd years.

To win over minorities (Muslims) and their ‘Vishwas’, the PM and the new Government can in one stroke reduce the trust deficit and bitterness by announcing a special economic package and an exhaustive programme for their upliftment — education, health and housing taking the centre-stage. This will surely act as a catalyst in confidence-building process.

In the post-independent India, we have seen three Muslims occupying the highest office in the country, that of the President, yet it is unthinkable that Muslims now are sometimes seen and called Pakis, totally demoralising them. The young Muslim population is full of vim and given some push, they would make themselves and their country proud. But the unfounded fears may come in their way and zap their enthusiasm.

And also to mollify, earn ‘Vishwas’ and to represent nearly 200 million community, the PM should give representation to some eminent Muslims in his Council of Ministers, although not a single Muslim figures in the BJP’s list of winners. ‘Vishwas’ will also get reinforced by giving fair representation to other minorities as well, wherever and whenever it is required.

Minorities, be it Rohingyas in Burma, Shia Muslims in Wahhabi Saudi Arabia and others in different countries suffer and get treated as second-class citizens, but the greatness of any country depends on how it treats and looks after its minorities.

India is more tolerant than most other countries in the world and there is equal chance and opportunity here for everyone to bloom and flourish. Only that the leadership should ensure that the environment remains conducive and not gets poisoned. Hope wisdom prevails and ‘Vishwas’ gets established as early as possible.

While our unity in such a large diversity is envied and remains a puzzle to other nations across the world, let us celebrate the values of humanity that we have upheld for thousands of years in this great civilisation.

– Mubasher Mirza , Bannimantap ‘C’ Layout, 27.5.2019

Note: The results had numbed the ‘Naamdaars,’ India’s traditional ruling elite, more than the Muslims; the Congress and its backers much more than the Muslims. Those with eyes and ears will realise this. For all the fears of the correspondent, Modi may well resonate positively to Muslims. A majority of Muslims will surely respond positively and co-operate with his minority policy. —Ed

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