Political circumstances prevailing in Karnataka have put the Muslims in dilemma. The Muslim community as a whole does not have any political share in the state, though in some constituencies they are in a decision-making position. In the last Assembly elections both Congress and JD (S) gave tickets to only a few Muslims and only six of them could make inroads to the Vidhan Saudha. Well-known Muslim leaders such as C.K Jaffer Shariff and Sagir Ahmed lost the ground in their respective constituencies.
Moreover, Muslims as a community could not make any big difference as they were divided in two major political blocs. Both the parties had their respective claims over the community.
Now the game has turned all together. Congress feels that the ball is in their court to absorb the Muslim votes as their counterpart JD (S) joined hands with BJP to form a government about a year ago. Congress is all set to grab the attention of the Muslims by projecting this weak point of JD (S). On the other hand JD (S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda has foreseen the Congress game and is trying to pull back his supporters to his party by fielding Muslim candidates in Ullal bye-election. What would be the Muslims’ reaction to this! Is it all about how matured the community is at large?
Since the formation of the state, the Muslim community never had their deserving political share. All parties (secular as well as communal) have strategically sidelined the community from the mainstream. If we browse through the history of Karnataka in terms of culture, Muslims’ contribution is unavoidable. Yet the different governments have exploited the community. It is a fact that illiteracy of the Muslim community has contributed equally and wrong decisions taken by the self-styled leaders and clerics on different issues had defamed the credibility of the community at large.
On many issues such as Hubli Eid Gah Maidan, Baba Budan Giri, etc. the community leaders belonging to different parties have been used for their political mileage and those issues still continue to haunt the community members. The present political scenario is rather worse. Now the JD(S) which was once the resort of the Muslim community had joined hands with BJP which is archrival of Muslims at the national level. Some community leaders are still with them with some lame justifications which aim at making the majority of the illiterate believe what they say.
As the time for bye-election is coming nigh, Finance Minister Yediyurappa, who also holds the portfolio of Deputy Chief Ministership, has announced the grants of crores of rupees to more than 10 matts of different Hindu sects. There are two Muslim ministers in the cabinet but they did not have even a single word to say; and champions of secularism have failed to understand the strategy of the fascist forces behind this. At least Muslim thinkers would have debated this at different levels, but things have gone unnoticed.
The question ‘what Muslims should do’ is very important. In a situation when the so-called secular parties are joining hands with communal and fascist forces, it would be hard to decide which course of action to adopt. However the decisive role has to be played in mobilising the Muslims against their political exploitation.
Unless and until Muslim leaders take up the matter seriously, the ruling government will continue to give this sort of doses to the community, which will not create any radical change in the present situation. It’s all about the maturity that will project in this scenario that is going to help the community. Gone are the days when people use to contest issue-based elections, now things are decided on power and caste bargain. Those who understand this formula better, will have enough chunk of share in power-wielding. That’s where the entire story comes to an end.