There has been a pattern of vilifying campaign by the Congress against Jamaat-e-Islami Hindandits affiliated wingsfor one or the other reason. Does this onslaughthave any political implications oris it simply to put the message across that Congress is not appeasing Muslims, in order to get hold of the silent majority, earlier disenchanted with the party? Or is the party building pressure by intimidation to at leastgarner support of Jamaat in the coming general elections.
In first week of March, Mumbai police issued an ‘internal circular’ which said that Girls Islamic Organisation (GIO),girls’ wing of Jamaat-e-IslamiHind, is ‘brainwashing and training girls for jihad’. Recently, the Congress-led government in Rajasthan asked the sportspersons to give affidavits prior to the declaration of state’s sports awards that they have no connection with RashtriyaSwayamsevakSangh andJamaat-e-Islami Hind. Rajasthan is governed by the Congress and Maharashtra is ruled by Congress and NCP in alliance.The big question: Why is the Congress government in Rajasthan painting both the organisations with the same brush?What is the motive behind such a move?
Mr.Mohammad Ahmad, political secretary of JIH, while talking to Radiance, said that the onslaught of Congress against Jamaat is politically motivated and the party is trying to polarise votes, keeping an eye on the assembly elections to be held in some states. It is also to counter ideology because they consider Islam a threat and that is why they are targeting Muslim girls after targeting Muslim youth in one way or the other. He also said thatCongress is most likely to be worried by the growing popularity of the Welfare Party of India as it is likely to hurt them the most unlike other parties. In Karnataka, there is possibility that the WPI may disturb the political equation of the Congress to some extent.
Many believe that the possible reason for Congress tirade against Jamaat could be stunning performance of Welfare Party in Jangipur, a constituency nurtured by Pranab Mukherjee over the years and also at many places where the party has made its presence felt in the political circles in one way or the other. The party has been launched in many states and the Congress might be worried that the emergence of the party may further erode the Muslim support base of the Congress. Welfare Party has also decided to contest at least 14 assembly seats in Karnataka and the party is spreading its wings each passing day.
Engineer Mohammad Salim, secretary JIH,told Radiance that keeping in view the growing popularity of Jamaat politically and as an organisation the Congress is trying to defame Jamaat in order to alienate Muslims from Jamaat. The Congress is working at the behest of international pressure and there are possibilities that agencies from America and Israel might have informed the government that in due courseof time it is importantto subvert the dominance of these organisations and the government is working in that direction.The recent tirade is basically aimed at appeasing the majority.