While addressing from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the eve of the Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said appeasement is one of the biggest hurdles. He said the Government is unable to implement the provisions of social justice because of appeasement. On this remark of the PM, some leaders of Muslim organisations have shared their views and expressed concern.
Prof. Salim Engineer, Vice President Jamaat-e-Islami Hind said,
“Independence Day address to the nation happens to be the policy statement of the government. Prime Minister talked about three obstacles:dynasty rule, corruption and appeasement. Apart from it, he also said that the Government is unable to implement the provisions of social justice because of appeasement.It means that the Government is not able to ensure social justice to the deprived and marginalised sections because of appeasement. This statement is divisive asit aims at polarisation. Such a statement from the Prime Minister has raised a lot of questions. The Prime Minister should have talked about the welfare of all, including minorities because he is the Prime Minister of the entire country.”
Dr. Kamal Faruqui, spokesperson of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, said, “I am not at all surprised by the statement of the Prime Minister. It was probably the last address before 2024 Lok Sabha polls.Why will he say something which is not in the interest of his party or for votes? Appeasement narrative suits them politically and therefore he has made the statement and it is not surprising.”
Dr.S.Q.R Ilyas, spokesman of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, while sharing his perspective, said, “The speech of the Prime Minister was made keeping in mind the 2024 polls.Whatever he has said is in that context. As we can see in the political centre stage of the BJP, Muslims are the biggest villains and by targeting them he wants to win elections. So, whatever has been said in the recent past; for example, in his address from Bhopal on UCC he had targeted Muslims and he wanted to polarise Hindus and Muslims on that basis. The impression the Prime Minister wanted to give is that if the alliance of Opposition comes to power, they will again start appeasement and he also said it is the biggest hurdle toward social justice. He wanted to give the impression that because of appeasement the communities that will suffer are Dalits, Adivasis,and OBCs. He said appeasement is the hurdle to provide justice to these communities.”
On the address of the President of India, he said generally the speech of the President is a written statement of the government in power. “We were expecting from the President her statement on Mewat, Nuh and we were expecting some kind of message for communal harmony and peace.But the President is also silent on Manipur.”