The whole world is astonished on the declaration. We in India are more surprised. Especially those who are being crushed under this day in and day out. Yes, only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches and more so when it tramples and crushes.
Facts are facts even if they are denied and whitewashed. The Constitution of India speaks eloquently about equality of all citizens, social, economic and political justice to everyone and promotion of fraternity among all religious, linguistic and ethnic communities. But Muslims who are 15% of population are the worst victims of this demonisation, marginalisation and discrimination.
Out of 303 Lok Sabha members of BJP there is not a single Muslim. Neither is there one among Rajya Sabha members. The BJP has been ruling in 14 States. You will not find even one Muslim minister or member of legislature there. This is the well decided policy of the ruling BJP to complete the disempowerment of Muslims. This is happening in spite of frequent stress on Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and even Sabka Vishwas. Yet India is a democracy, rather the mother of democracy. Therefore, there is no hypocrisy in this. It is quite another thing that the world notes it and calls it hypocrisy.
There are some enthusiasts who think that India became independent in 2014. Lynching of innocent persons started from that year. More than 95% victims are Muslims. Muslims are semi-disenfranchised in most of the States. One example: in Uttar Pradesh Muslims are 20% of the about 25 crore strong State population. Out of 403 legislatures in the State Assembly, there should have been 80 Muslims. But there are only 32 Muslim MLAs. Delimitation of constituencies is also used to deprive Muslims of appropriate representation. The constituencies in which Muslims are 20% to 40% are reserved for Dalits and Scheduled Castes.
In recent days a number of dharmsansads were held at several places, in which open calls were given for massacre of Muslims. No action was taken. In such a meeting in the capital New Delhi, jab mullekatejayenge, tab Ram, Ram chillayenge (when Muslims would be slaughtered, they will shout Ram, Ram) was the slogan. The police with great reluctance filed an FIR. No action followed. This is the story which is always repeated. A prominent leader of the ruling party raised the slogan in the capital in 2020: Deshkeghaddaron ko, golimaro salon ko (Traitors of the country, shoot the rascals). The big boss has been kind enough to accommodate this leader as a cabinet minister.
Pragya Singh Thakur, a terror accused who is undergoing trial, but on bail, asked Hindus to keep knives sharpened (for whom?). She, while attending the film show of The Kerala Story, publicly said, “Now they are 20%, when they will become 40%, your daughters would not be safe.” We have also leaders with fascist mentality who give open calls in meetings to economically boycottMuslims. With all such happenings it can be understood that poisoning lives, and prejudicing the minds is the well-thought-out policy of the ruling party. Divide and rule, polarise and stick to power, even if the country drowns and is destroyed, is their objective.
For 20 crore Muslims, life is a hell in India. They have to die every day to live. Yet we have not lost hope in the basic goodness of human nature. We have faith in God and in a better tomorrow for all brothers and sisters of India. The silent majority, in spite of dirty politics, is resilient. Sooner or later, we pray it happens sooner, they will awake, they will raise their voice against hate, injustice and discrimination. And a new sun will rise.