Five Indian states – Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry – are going to polls and their fates would be decided within one month.
Assam has about 33 per cent Muslims, West Bengal 27 per cent and Kerala about 26 per cent. Muslim voters in these three States would play a very significant role in the formation of government in these States.
West Bengal will decide whether it remains with CPI(M) or supports Mamata. Muslims of the State supported Communists for the last 37 years. They thought that their lives would be safer in the hands of anti-communal Communists, who would not allow communal politics of BJP. It is a known fact and Sachar Committee Report also has further confirmed it that the socio-economic and educational condition of Muslims in that state is worse than that in Modi’s Gujarat. Now Muslims in West Bengal want not only life security but bread also. They are looking towards alternatives. If Muslims had been united, which alas they are not, they could have been in a better position to secure their interests.
In Assam also Muslims are in a very pitiable condition. It is expected that Badruddin Ajmal’s All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) may improve its position in multi-cornered contests and may bring some relief to the Muslims there by strengthening their voice.
In Kerala the Left Democratic Front (LDF) is being supported by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, which is a well organised, cadre-based and principled organisation. Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has the support of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) which is well entrenched in Kerala. It is to be seen which way the wind blows in the State. If the Muslim forces were united, the Muslims could have extracted greater benefits and played a more constructive role in shaping the future of the State. Perhaps, afterwards when the heat of election subsides, the Muslims parties may think coolly about forging some united front to achieve their goals.
In Tamil Nadu also there is no unity in Muslim ranks. Muslim League has aligned with DMK and Jawahirulla’s TMMK with Jailalitha’s AIADMK. Muslims would have been in a better position had they been united.
Disunity is the bane of Muslim community in India. The Welfare Party, which is being launched with the support of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind on April 18 in New Delhi may address the greatest problem of disunity in Muslim ranks. Let us pray that it succeeds in uniting the 17 crore strong Muslims for their sake and for the sake of India.