Author: KR Phanda
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: January 21, 2007
Syed Shahabuddin, in his article, "Flawed
report on Muslims" (January 11), suggests reservation for Muslims in
education, public employment, welfare programmes, bank credit and legislatures
on par with the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. His argument is completely
baseless and has no historical basis to support it.
Hindus unfamiliar with the Muslim League's
separatist politics before Independence would be surprised at the suggestions
made by Mr Shahabuddin. But this is nothing new. The memorandum presented
by 35 eminent Muslims to Lord Minto in Shimla on October 1, 1906, had demanded
similar reservations, including the setting up of a separate Muslim University.
The problem was further aggravated by Mahatma
Gandhi, who went on pandering to Muslim demands one after another in the hope
that they would not ask for a separate homeland. The absurdity of Gandhi's
obsession for Hindu-Muslim unity had reached its limits in 1947. In his meeting
with Viceroy Lord Mountbatten, he had suggested that Mohammed Ali Jinnah be
made Prime Minister and given the liberty to choose his Cabinet. When the
Viceroy mentioned this to Jawaharlal Nehru, the latter was surprised and embarrassed.
Ultimately, Jinnah won and Pakistan became a reality on August 14, 1947.
Gandhi had pandered to Muslim demands in order
achieve Hindu-Muslim unity, but he failed. The present Hindu leaders are doing
the same thing in order to remain in power. Gandhi and Nehru had perpetrated
a fraud on Hindus by agreeing to the creation of Pakistan on religious lines
and yet did not insist for transfer of populations. It is now for Hindus to
raise their voice against further economic and political exploitation by Muslims.
Any concession given to Muslims would be at
the cost of Hindus. Why should Hindus be taxed to pay for Haj subsidies, running
of *madarsa*s, etc? Reservations are necessary for Hindus who have been driven
out of Pakistan and not for Muslims who were instrumental in the division
of the country.
We should remember that it is the Muslims
of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Bombay who were in the forefront of the demand
for Pakistan and it is they who are again asking for concessions and reservations.
Any further encouragement to such divisive mindset will be suicidal for the
country's unity and integrity.
