The Muslims in the country are not unduly worried over the victory of Hindutva in Gujarat. Though disappointed, or even saddened over the outcome of the poll, they are certainly not frightened. They take it in their stride and hope both the Gujarat Chief Minister and the BJP would really act on the policy declaration of "justice for all", and that in the future, the party shall take even its opponents along while working towards development.
As for the mood of the minority, particularly among the youth, they do not really look for physical protection from the majority community considering they know that they have as much right to live in this country as others. Nonetheless, they seemed concerned that the Centre and the State governments must ensure them equality before the law, and at the social plane, equality of opportunity.
With the dust of aggressive electioneering over, the educated class among the Muslims would, however, ask the BJP to consider seriously certain basic questions thrown up by the situation in Gujarat. Considering the party is in power at the Centre and in a few states, and aspires to win a majority of its own at the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, is it not necessary and politically wise for a big national party to really pursue a policy where the social fabric of the country remains united, where there are no communal divides, and where the considerations of good governance override all other concerns?
The national executive of the BJP has just met to take stock of the political situation in the light of Gujarat polls. It has also announced its strategy for next year's Assembly elections in several states like Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. It is for the central leadership of the party to examine how long the present hate campaign can go on to target the minorities. How long the party can afford to divide the people along religious lines to win elections, and how long will it be in the long-term interest of the social unity of the country and the nation? There is political democracy in the country, and it is as much the right of a section of people to vote for the Congress or any other party.
There has been a lot of controversy about an appeal published in certain Gujarati newspapers on behalf of an unknown Muslim organisation. It was mistaken as a "fatwa" by the Muslim clergy and fully exploited by the BJP leaders for electoral advantage. This apparently tilted the balance in favour of the BJP at the last moment.
The issue has two aspects. If this was done on behalf of the Congress, it was a most unwise act, and a political blunder. There was, in fact, no need for such an appeal to the Muslims, who in any case would not have voted for the BJP. The appeal was thus meaningless. There are, however, some people who suspect that it was a part of the BJP's own poll strategy to get the appeal issued by an Ahmedabad-based Moulvi and then dub it as a "fatwa" and condemn the rivals for "fatwa" politics.
Second, a "fatwa" is essentially a quasi-judicial pronouncement by a designated Mufti on a religious or social question. Such a Mufti should be well-versed in the Shariat and consider the question in the light of the Quran and the Hadith before giving his view. Any Tom, Dick and Harry carrying the label of a Moulvi is not competent to issue a "fatwa", moreso on political or electoral issues. Incidentally, the appeal was issued in spite of the advice to the contrary by the leaders of the All-India Milli Council, who were present in Ahmedabad at that time. So, it is wrong to describe the announcement, for whatever it was worth, as a "fatwa".
Finally, an appeal to Mr Narendra
Modi now that the BJP has won the elections. The State Government must
provide the much delayed healing touch to the survivors of the communal
holocaust. Families whose members have been killed deserve immediate payment
of compensation on the formula prescribed by Prime Minister Vajpayee. Those
whose houses and shops were burnt also need full compensation without any
more delay for their rehabilitation. It is unjust to call a few hundred
rupees paid so far as compensation. The procedural hurdles of verification
of claims could be overcome once the Chief Minister really decides to help
the victims. Show the large-heartedness of Raj Dharma, Mr Modi, and fulfill
the obligation of helping those in distress.