By India Tomorrow Correspondent,
New Delhi, 07 April 2014: The All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat, the umbrella body of Indian Muslim organisations, issued its political agenda and advisory for secular voters here on Monday.
The country is standing on the cross-roads and therefore people who love secularism and democracy must make a clear choice between fascism and secularism, Mushawarat leaders said and appealed to the secular voters “to frustrate the fascist agenda and help secular forces win the next elections.
Mushawarat asked voters to vote for Aam Aadmi Party and Congress Party on the national level and for Muslim parties where they have established themselves in Kerala, Assam and Hyderabad.
On the regional level, Mushawarat supported a number of secular regional options like BSP in Uttar Pradesh, Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, JD(U) and RJD in Bihar and CPI.
Mushawarat president Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan while releasing the political agenda made it clear that all so-called secular parties have disappointed Muslims in the past since Independence but still he is appealing to support them as secularism, democracy and constitution of the country is at stake today.
“The parties Muslims supported after Independence exploited them politically. These parties remember Muslims only when there are elections, and they include beautiful slogans in their manifestos for this purpose. As a result, Muslims cast their votes in favour of such parties but get only disappointment in return,” he said.
“But today secularism is in danger. If BJP and Narendra Modi came to power they will create fear and terror in the entire country as they have done in Gujarat. We must not believe what they are saying. They will cheat the nation as they did in 1992 when they promised to protect Babri Masjid,” Dr. Khan said.
We cannot take BJP manifesto promises for Muslims seriously
When asked about the promises BJP has made to Muslims in its election manifesto released on Monday (07 April), Mushawarat president said: Due to their past deeds, we cannot take their words seriously. We do not have any problem with words like BJP or Modi. We won’t have any problem with them if they become secular.
Mushawarat also announced to support its members who are contesting elections, viz., Salman Khursheed (Farrukhabad), Mohammed Adeeb (Bijnore), Barrister Asaduddin Owaisi (Hyderabad), Maulana Asrarul Haque Qasmi (Kishanganj) and Sultan Ahmad (Uluberia).
