By Shamsher Alam,
Madhya Pradesh is going to poll on 28 November 2018. This political temperature of the same is rising. Parties have declared their candidates for upcoming election. There are two major parties in Madhya Pradesh politics, Bhartiya Janta Party and Congress party. However, Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party are also contesting the election in the same. Here, it is an attempt to analyze the inclusionary nature of the various political parties as far the nomination of Muslims candidates in the assembly election is concerned.
After examining the candidates and the inclusionary practices of the various parties in the state, it appears that they are not following the accommodative parameter for inclusion of the politically marginalized community, Muslim. As far as the BSP and SP are concerned they have not given ticket to any Muslim candidate. Albeit, these political parties not are fighting on all 230 assembly seats. Furthermore, when we analyze the inclusionary practice of BJP as far as the Muslim candidates for legislative election is concerned. Then, it is evident that no single candidate has filled his/her nomination from BJP. This ceases the opportunity to discuss the inclusion of Muslims in the same. Hence, it is against their very basic principle of Sabka Sath. Furthermore, when we reflect the Congress’s inclusionary nature then, it is also apparent that they also have not acknowledge and accommodated the Muslims candidates. They have filled total 2 candidates out of 155 as reported by carvandaily.com (5 Nov, 2018). This corresponds to 1.29 percentage of total seats. However, when talk about the population of Muslims, they constitute 6.57 percent of total population of the state. There are 230 total seats in the assembly. If we covert into the percentage then this corresponds to the 15.11 or nearly 15 seats for Muslims candidates. However, Muslim community ‘maintains, the party (Congress) could have placed Muslims on at least 20 seats including Satna, Bhatoni, Jabalpur (Cantt. And Pashchim), Satna, Bhatoni, Khandwa, Ratlam, Ujjain, Khandwa simply based on the community’s good population in these pockets’ (ibid).
At this juncture, there is need to raise some questions. Why so-called secular Congress Party has not given the ticket to Muslims candidates according to the proportionate population of the state. Is party heading towards the soft Hindutva ideology, wherein, the party tries to woo and target the Hindu vote by ignoring Muslims? Are they (Muslims) being taken for granted by Congress? Are they considering that Muslims will not go anywhere and they would just vote for them? Why Congress party is maintaining aloof from Muslims? Are they afraid of their Hindu vote bank? Or afraid of BJP’s accusation as Congress is the party of Muslims. Is the winnability only criteria for fighting the election? These are some questions which needed to answered by parties, who are self-proclaimed holder of the secular principle. However, the accusation by BJP as Congress is the Muslim’s party seems to be wrong as they (Congress) have not given the ticket to Muslims, according to the percentage of the population. When they will not adequately be given the ticket to contest the election, then forget about the satisfactory representation of Muslims in the legislative assembly.
However, at this juncture, it is worth mentioning the socio-political assertion and consciousness of Muslims not only in MP but across India, which is implicitly responsible for the political representation of the same in political sphere. To reflect on this, it can be argued that Muslims are more assertive when there is attack on their cultural and religious aspects. For example, when a chief of Hindu outfit in Uttar Pradesh attacks on the prophet Mohammad by calling him as the ‘first homosexual’. Then, there was the large-scale protest and demonstration across the country. Similarly, when a TV anchor made an odious comment against Fatima, there was also an outrage against the same. Therefore, on the basis of nature of assertion, it can be argued that Muslims are more assertive, when it come to their cultural and religious dimensions. However, the recent phenomenon is showing the different picture as far as the political assertion of Muslims is concerned. In the month of October, they have launched the #EqualCitizens- “Vote Hamara Baat Hamari” campaign to draw the attention of the opposition political parties and to highlight the plights of Muslims across the country. Hence, it can be argued that they are coming forward not only for the attack on their cultural and religious aspects but for their political and other social marginalization. Vehemently, there is need to expand their contour in the context of socio-political assertion, political consciousness and socio-political understanding. These assertion and consciousness would make them politically more powerful.
To sum up, Muslims are at the margins as far the representation in the electoral democracy is concerned. There is only one outgoing law maker from the state, MP. They are politically marginalized community (only 24 MP in Lok Sabha) at national level. The filled nomination of Muslims candidates in the legislative assembly of the aforementioned state is also not inclusionary enough. Therefore, it can be argued that there is need to strengthen the democracy by making more representative. The political marginalization of Muslims must be acknowledged and need to debate across the political lines. The representation of Muslims in the electoral democracy would lead to the beautiful, healthy and representative democracy. Since we are the largest democracy and one of most heterogenous country in the world, this subtly argue and adhere for the adequate and proportionate representation of each and every section of the society.
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The author is a Ph D Scholar, at Center for the Study of Social Systems, JNU.
If Muslims are becoming politically untouchable then they should ask for reserved seats.
Atlast someone has to represent them.
So if a Hindu can not represent Muslim and only a Muslim, Kasabs / Owaisi Brothers or Hafiz Saeed can represent Muslim then why not move to your beloved Pakistan..no Hindu will ever represent a Muslim there.
After Pakistan was created by Muslims and for Muslims with so many Killings because Muslims said they can not live with Hindus.
In India, a Hindu will always say to you or to coming Muslim generations in India that if you do not like it India then Move to Pakistan or Bangladesh.. India has created two nations for you.
Just as Australian PM(s) has said multiple times to Muslims living in Australia if you dot not like it here, then move to your home country even if you are born in Australia.
You are seeking reservations.. crores and crores of your brother Muslims living in India are seeking Azadi or another Pakistan.. and Myanmar, China or Russia Chechnya in the neighborhood are saying to Hindus ‘Learn from us’.
Muslims very well deserve this.
Bro full time job hai kya.
Full time toh janaab aapka lag raha hai …har news article par aapke comment hai..
Is news site me dhara 370 laga hai kya ? Koi hindu comment nahi kar sakta kya ? Criticize karoge toh criticism bhi sehana seekho bhai…
Apna Naam to use karo.i won’t object u.
Muslim are plotically untouchable everywhere in world..in USA, UK. Australia, Sweden. France..Burma and even in your beloved Pakistan (Ahemdias), the in China (official called Mental Disease), Angola ..Muslim banned, even in Kuwait(No visas to Pakistanis Muslims), Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Russia.Chechya …you go on on.. Hungry.
Muslim have become not even untouchable but even undesirable .. Muslim ban.
Watch beautiful Pakistani actress’s video on how she was treated in Russia and in world. Full rear exam is given before a Muslim is let into a country.. ask Shah RuKh Khan or former Pakistani PM Abassi.. who visited USA on a private visit while being a Prime Minister of Pakistan.
In india, .Muslim were being appeased…4 wives, Halala, intant talaq to replace a wife.. as per Quran but no Flogging, No Limb Chopping as in Quran. And Muslim started abusing and abuse Hindu Gods and Goddess publically in their speeches.
But Muslim want to stone a Hindu soldier carrying AK 47 on duty, Muslim say no National Anthem, Muslim has to organize beef festivals and cut cows in front of Hindu homes as Constitution allows it, keep Muslims women in Burqa but go after Hindu Women, shout Pakistan Zindabad, advocate Rohingya Muslims who are not loyal to their own country..
Can a Muslim here tell me one Non Muslim democratic secular country where Muslims leave Majority community in peace? Name just one
Owaisi brothers have taken Muslims in India or has taken Muslims in India from being untouchable to undesirable. Enjoy ride now..even Congress is Shiv Bhakat now and Mamta is giving money away to Puja Pandals.
Author. a so called a Ph.d Scholar from JNU (Jihadi Nexlite University), sees himself a Muslim and only Muslim and not as an Indian. If I understand Author’s thinking then even if Kasab or Hafiz Saeed is running in an election in India against a Secular Hindu Candidate then ALL MUSLIM should vote for Kasab or Hafiz Saeed fully knowing what they do because they are Muslim and not to a Hindu Candidate because he happens to be a Hindu.
Muslim are enjoying all these liberties in India which they do not offer to any non Muslim in any Muslim country.
And, Hindu is Secular in India and does not question when a Muslim CM or Candidate is selected by a Political Party in overwhelmimg Hindu State or Constitution.
No doubt that Chinese have concluded that Muslims are infected with Mental Disease and need to be medically treated. Author should have done a Google Search and checked Chinese prescribed treatment for millions and millions of Muslims in China which they are undergoing right now since Chinese ideology is reverend and practiced in his JNU.