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Questions against a Muslim Political Party :: The PPI FAQ's

Q. 1 What is the importance of a new Muslim party in India? Q. 2 Why Muslims need a Muslim party in India as IUML, INL, MIM are already playing the same role? Q. 3 A Muslim party for Muslims would alienate majority Hindus? Q. 4 A Muslim party could be branded as a tool of 181. How would you tackle the accusation? Q. 5 A Muslim in minority area may succumb to the extremist forces. How would you like to guide the Muslims in those areas? Q. 6 When a Muslim party would be launched, it may be considered dangerous not only by BJP but also by BSP, Samajwadi Party and Janta Dal because of their possible vote erosion. What steps would you take to neutralize their efforts? Q. 7 How your Muslim party would define secularism in India? Q. 8 What is an ideal Indian citizen as per your party politics? Q. 9 Is your party open for non-Muslims? Q. 10 How can you fund your budget? Q. 11 What is your agenda?



Q. 1 What is the importance of a new Muslim party in India?

Ans: The analysis of the post independence political situation of India clearly indicates that the self-proclaimed "secular" parties have repeatedly betrayed Indian Muslims. They have paid only lip services to keep the floating vote bank of Muslims intact. Irony of the fate is that these political forces had hidden alliance with the communalist and fascist Hindutva brigade. They are mutually benefited by the communal clashes. On the one hand Hindutva forces try to unite communal forces against Muslims in order to consolidate their vote bank. On the other, self-proclaimed secular forces try to impress upon Muslims that only they can save this helpless community from the wrath of communalist and fascist Hindutva forces like RSS, VHP, Siv Sena, Bajrang Dal and BJP; and hence Muslims should support these parties in the interest of their own survival. The net result is that politically Muslims have been marginalized and communalist forces have grasped power with the direct support from the erstwhile "secularists" of NDA (National Democratic Alliance) partners. Some self-proclaimed secular parties are providing indirect help to BJP led government through their tactical support of dividing anti-BJP votes. Interestingly, the Bahujan Samaj Party, which received substantial support from Muslims because of its pre-poll anti-BJP posture, did not hestiate to form a coalition Government with BJP in UP. Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav, who claimed as the saviour of Muslims and chief spokes person for Babri Masjid did not take even a second to topple V.P. Singh led Government at the Centre to further his political agenda in consonance with L.K. Advani's withdrawl of support from the Government on the issue of Ram Rath Yatra. At that time Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav willingly accepted the support of Congress led by Rajiv Gandhi of "Ram Mandir Shilanyas" fame. In another instance, just to get his son elected from the Parliamentary seat of Kannauj in U.P., Mr. Mulayam Singh presented a Rajya Sabha seat to the notorious Sakshi Maharaj, who is a prime accused in Babri Masjid demolition case and had proudly proclaimed that he was the first man to strike with his spade on 'black spot of Hindutva vanity' (Babri Masjid). Without going into further details, one can arrive on the conclusion that at present there is no political party in India which has genuine concern for the Muslims. Nobody is ready to accept the Muslim community as a political entity with Muslim identity. Since 1947, more than 25,000 communal clashes have occurred with the active connivance of law enforcing agencies. Muslims were mercilessly killed, their properties ransacked and then fixed in draconian Acts such as TAD A. The record of Hindutva Ideal State Gujarat is beyond description. In Surat (1992) Hindutva fascist forces made a display of raping of Muslim women and girls and killing them after barbaric tortures. In May 1987, 41 Muslim youths of Maliyana and Hashimpura, Meerut, were picked up from their houses, shot dead and their bodies thrown into Ganga Canal. The 66 PAC personnel indicted by the Cyan Prakash Commission must have now become officers. The 'secular India' remained a silent spectator of all these brutalities and that followed after. Now a days on a slight suspicion a Muslim youth can be branded an ISJ agent and rounded up or even encountered for that. The presence of Muslims in government services and represenative bodies has been reduced to less than 2% which itself speakes volumes of prejudice and discrimination against Indian Muslims. In the name of globalisation and liberalisatin of economy, the traditional Muslim artisans like weavers, textile workers, lock workers, people in brass and leather industries, fisheries and agriculture have been economically marginalised and pushed below poverty line. Muslim Educational Institutions are being deprived of government aids, construction of new Madarsas and Mosques are proposed to be prohibited without prior permission of District Magistrate (the controversial religious place bill pending for assent with the President of India (a mere formality). In summary we can say that under these circumstances neither our life, faith, honour, dignity, property, history, no civilisation culture nor socio-economic status is safe. The future of 15% Indians i.e. Muslims does not seem bright by any standard of human development index. Contrary to this situation, the Backward Communities and Dalits have improved their socio-economic status only due to the fact that they have ensured political empowerment for their community. There is no doubt about that Muslims have a glorious past and they have tremendous potential to usher in a highly developed community in future. But this can not be done without political empowerment which is the fountain-head of all kind of socio-economic development and cultural identity and dignity of a community. To achieve the political empowerment the community has to politically organise itself to assert in a democratic polity as a coherent and consolidated political entity for toughest political bargaining with other political entities. The political organisation of Indian Muslims needs a Muslim Political Party as their true representative of their national aspirations and custodian of their community interests in all its dimensions of religion, culture, faith, survival, socio-economic betterment and educational advancement. It is for this purpose that Indian Muslims need a new Muslim Political Organisation in which they can repose their confidence and from which the)7 can expect far-sighted future and bold intiative and attitude of sacrifice for the welfare of the community contrary to the self-seeking attitude of the narrow minded politicians even belonging to the proclaimed Muslim political parties.


Q. 2 Why Muslims need a Muslim party in India as IUML, INL, MIM are already playing the same role?

Ans: The above-mentioned Muslim political parties and many others not mentioned here are confined to a particular city, region or state and they have shown no concern for Muslims in other regions. IUML, although claims to be an All India Party, has a limited influence in Kerala. Its regional interests are sometimes contrary to the aspirations of Muslims at all India level. For instance, at the time of demolition of the Babri Masjid on 6th December, 1992, Congress party under the leadership of the hidden RSS activist P.V. Narsimha Rao played a dubious role. He allowed the Kar-sewaks to build a make-shift temple at the site of the demolished Babri Masjid under Presidential rule (under direct control of the Central Government). The Indian Muslims rightly demanded and expected from IUML that it would withdraw its support from the Congress-led coalition government in Kerala. But it never happened. Instead Mr. Ibrahim Sulaiman Seth was compelled to resign on the very demand. He later on formed INL which is indeed a defunct force. Although IUML has politically empowered the Muslims of Kerala but it has not proved its credentials as a Political Party in which all Indian Muslims could repose their confidence. The down trodden Muslims like landless labourers, fishermen and petty artisans have yet not been benefitted from IUML policies because it has largely remained an elite middle-class oriented political party without any genuine concern for the down trodden poor sections of community. MIM is confined to Hyderabad. It has done excellent work but again it has narrow interests and limited political vision not befitting an All India character of a Muslim party. Similarly, there are many political parties whose heads are Muslim by religion but their political paradigm is not Muslim oriented. Their sole aim is to have a crowd of Muslims around them at the time of election for immediate gain of one or two seats in assembly. They are indeed the frustrated politicians who have been rejected by their mainstream political masters for personal reasons and now they are compelled to seek political shelter among Muslim masses without any political agenda and programme. Actually, they are trying to waste the political energy of Muslims for the sake of their immediate goal to have a seat in the assembly in near future. Other known Muslim political organisations which have played central role in Muslim politics in past have now become defunct, without any infrastructure, vote bank or organisational framework. Rather, they are under the clutches of self-seeking rejected professional politicians who are ready to sell the entire organisation in return of a single assembly ticket from any political party on its electroral symbol. Their ever shrinking vote bank is confined to some urban Muslim elites or middle class without any mass following as they have no action- plan for the socio-economic betterment of the country as a whole with special concern for the needs of the .down trodden Muslim masses of artisans, labourers, petty traders and unemployed youth. Mostly their political activities are confined to press releases and they never take trouble to go to the masses. What can one expect from these political parties? The PPI is an alternative choice before the Indian Muslims. It has started its work from U.P. and will gradually acquire All India character (Inshallah). PPI will first strengthen its organisational structure. Its front rankers will, themselves, not contest election for a period of at least 5 years. They will devote their total energy for strengthening the organisational framework of the party. PPI will come before Muslim masses with a well defined political agenda and practical political programme based on real issues and realistic strategies. PPI will prove by its words and deeds that it is a different kind of political organisation of Indian Muslims and it means business. However, in order to pool our political energy and resources all Muslim political parties can unite to form a Political Front (as in the case of the Left Front which is a ruling coalition in West Bengal and Kerala and has 52 MPs). The PPI is exploring the possibility of formation of a United Muslim Front at U.P. level in the initial stage. The constituents of the front can retain their separate identities but unite on a common platform on the basis of a common minimum programme and a joint election manifesto. The Front could be a permanent entity for floor coordination in assembly. It can further take up issues of common interest and can jointly bargain with other political parties in election of assembly, parliament and civic bodies.


Q. 3 A Muslim party for Muslims would alienate majority Hindus?

Ans: In fact Hindu majority is never against the Muslims as a whole. The Hindus and Muslims have strong social relations. It is the communalist Hindu politician who is sowing the seeds of hatred in the heart of masses. Hindu society is a caste ridden and there is never any uniform political reaction to any issue. BJP can not form its own government inspite of the communal atmosphere it has created. In the last election BJP got only 39% of valid votes. Every political party, even BJP, is having a caste based support which is their inherent strength. Muslims as a whole can be equivalent to caste based support of any viable political party. When Muslims are politically organised, they will be in a better position to safeguard their interests. The Akali Dal in Punjab, MIM in AP and IUML in Kerala have proved, beyond doubt, that politically organised religious minorities are well-equipped to tackle all kinds of assult on them. Furthermore, PPI, as political strategy, will try to launch such political programmes which will help to ease social tension between Hindus and Muslims.


Q. 4 A Muslim party could be branded as a tool of 181. How would you tackle the accusation?

Ans: This presumption is not based on empirical evidence. Till now no Muslim political party has been accused of being a tool of ISI agent, not even SIM, SIO and Jamat-e-Islami and other religious groups have been officially branded so. Rather individuals have been arrested on such charges. If there is an organised political force it can raise voice against atrocities on Muslims on false accusation of being ISI agents.


Q. 5 A Muslim in minority area may succumb to the extremist forces. How would you like to guide the Muslims in those areas?

Ans: In fact, Muslims are nowhere in majority in the country except in a few places. The political empowerment of the Muslims will have a psychological impact on the nation as a whole. It will be a means of socio-economic development and educational advancement. When PPI is a strong political force, either in government or in opposition, it will use state machinery to check the extremist forces. Further, the political allies of PPI will be persuaded to assert their influence in their own political interest.


Q. 6 When a Muslim party would be launched, it may be considered dangerous not only by BJP but also by BSP, Samajwadi Party and Janta Dal because of their possible vote erosion. What steps would you take to neutralize their efforts?

Ans: The PPI will adopt different strategies for different political parties. For BJP, we will adopt the strategy to expose the hollowness of its communal policy. PPI will try to unite all anti-BJP forces to make people aware about its misgovernance and bad administration. The contradictions between BJP's political and economic policies and ideological patriotism and pseudo-nationalism will be exposed through many more "TAHELKAS" meticulous research and widespread communication. As far as BSP, Samajwadi Party and other self-proclaimed secular and anti-BJP parties are concerned, PPI will try to convince their leaders and followers to accept the Muslims as an organised political entity as their co-partners in political power. They alone can not capture power if they deny this opportunity to the Muslim political organisation. We will practically demonstrate in elections that our vote bank is totally transferable. If somebody trust us we will trust them. PPI will make all possible efforts to form a United Muslim Front of all Muslim political organisations and then collectively bargain with the self-proclaimed secular parties on the basis of mutual benefit.


Q. 7 How your Muslim party would define secularism in India?

Ans: The PPI perception of secularism is that state machinery should be impartial. Irrespective of religion, caste, creed or any other distinction, no individual or community should be denied any opportunity that is enshrined in the Constitution of India. Furthermore, in the name of cultural nationalism no symbolic cultural aspect of any religious group or caste or creed or lingual or regional group can be imposed upon others under state patronage. However, individuals and communities in their capacities are allowed to pursue their distinct religious and cultural practices so long as these do not interfere with the secular spirit of the state or fundamental rights of other individuals or groups.



Q. 8 What is an ideal Indian citizen as per your party politics?

Ans: PPI believes that an ideal citizen is that individual who is aware of his rights and duties. He believes in the constitutionalism and not in anarchy. He asserts for his rights in a civilized and lawful manner. He performs his duty at his own. He considers India as a plural society and has genuine respect for religion and culture of every sect of the society. He is not a narrow minded nationalist but has love and respect for his motherland. He is conscious of his individual and group identity but tolerant to others. He should be environment friendly, universe loving, rationally thinking individual with love, kindness and passion for humanity.



Q. 9 Is your party open for non-Muslims?

Ans: Yes, it is open for non-muslims. The agenda of PPI is not separatist. We want to pursue the goal of political empowerment of Muslims on the basis of equal rights for all citizens. But the prime concern of PPI is the all round development of Indian Muslims through means of political empowerment.



Q. 10 How can you fund your budget?

Ans: We will adopt the means of public donations for our budget as other political parties do. We will make public aware that whatever we are doing is in their own interest. All sections of the society, particularly Muslims will be motivated to donate for the party funds. Regular funding will be through membership drive. PPI has a Primary membership fee : Rs. 1.00 Active Membership fee : Rs. 100.00 Life Membership fee : Rs. 5000.00 Patron : Rs. 10,000 or above This will be a permanent source of party funds. Apart from it occasional donations will be motivated as per demand of the situation.



Q. 11 What is your agenda?

Ans: Basically our one point agenda is "Political empowerment of Indian Muslims". This is the means and fountainhead of every kind of advancement of Indian Muslims and preservation of their culture, civilization and religious identity.



Published in favour of general circulation by Dr. Ali Ameer, Chairman, Political Affairs Committee, Parcham Party of India. 1-Rahmat Bano Market, Medical College Road, Aligarh-202002, U.P., India.