Say Yes to Justice, Democracy and All-inclusiveness, No to Controversies
Modi government, which was formed on the basis of 31 per cent popular votes of Indian electorate, needs to tread carefully and cautiously. People expect solid achievements in the field of development. They want corruption-free, all-inclusive, broad-minded governance. They want true democracy and justice for every individual, community and state. It would be unwise to give rise to old controversies. One of the Ministers of State has opened the old wounds of Jammu & Kashmir people by saying that Article 370 has outlived its utility. He has ignored the reality that Article 370 is the strongest link which connects the state to the Indian Union.
Rightly or wrongly they blame the Governments at the Centre and powers-that-be for their sorry state of affairs. It would be in the fitness of things if old wounds are not opened and confidence building measures are adopted to win the hearts of the people of the state. Police highhandedness and military atrocities must be stopped and the ill-treatment of Kashmiris in the length and breadth of India must be curbed and the people of the state must be allowed to develop their culture, religion and ethos.
It was also very unwise on the part of Najma Heptulla, the Minister for Minority Affairs, to give the impression that she has been appointed to undo whatever little had been done for uplifting the Muslims who are the largest minority of India comprising one-seventh of the population (13.4% in 2001 Census, and expected to be more than 14% in 2011 Census whose figures are still not revealed). Already the ascent to power of BJP has given a very bad impression to the Muslim community which fears worst treatment from the new dispensation. And it would not be wrong in the light of the past record of the party.
This party was responsible for demolition of 500-year old historic Babri Masjid. And it was under the Modi government in Gujarat that the biggest carnage lasting for about two months took place. There is, in addition, a long list of fake encounters, state-managed terrorist attacks and torturing of scores of innocent people.
The real test of the new government lies in healing the old wounds, giving new hopes and adopting all-inclusive policies. The extremist elements in the Parivar must be kept in tight control, communal poisoning must be eliminated and scars of all past carnages and communal riots must be washed with the life-giving milk of love, mercy and broad-based brotherhood and fellow feelings. BJP can do it if it is ready to accept its past mistakes and resolves not to repeat them.