Mr. Talukdar’s article dealing with the low representation of Muslims (Radiance, May 29-June 4, 2011) in the political field re-states the known position as it has existed since independence. The reasons cited therein are also known.
While the first part of the article argues against parties led by Muslims, the latter part actually expresses satisfaction at the success of AIUDF in Assam without naming it. What Mr. Talukdar could have emphasised, however, is the visibly secular (which can also be called ‘just and fair’) character of AIUDF as well as similar intentions (yet to be demonstrated) of Welfare Party.
It is this scribe’s humble opinion that there is no fear of Hindu backlash if the parties led by Muslims adopt secular, fair and just policies and avoid taking up Muslim issues from their platforms. This is well proved in Assam by the rejection of BJP as well as AGP by the Hindu electorate.
A valid question will now be: who will then take up Muslim issues? The answer is: we already have a well-recognised religious leadership; we also now have a nascent political leadership. We can now have a non-religious and non-political leadership to take care of Muslim issues relating to education, health, poverty, safety and security, etc.
Of course, Muslims must in all cases have faith that Allah will cause their feet to stabilise and our difficulties to ease if we do our duty to the vast ocean of humanity living in our blessed country, particularly the poor and the wretched – a duty that we have ignored during the last 64 years.
Chaudhari Fariduddin
Huntingdon,Cambridgeshire, UK