By Our Correspondent
JAIPUR—The Bharatiya Janata Party’s ascension to power in Rajasthan and two other states during the recent Assembly elections has led to an apprehension about implementation of its agenda and policies which may result in injustice and discrimination against some sections of population. But the people, including those who did not vote for the BJP, have legitimate expectations from the new government which is under an obligation to function as per the constitutional norms.
Keeping this aspect in view, the Rajasthan unit of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has called upon the BJP government to fulfil people’s expectations and work for public welfare, while pointing out that the change of government forms part of the democratic process and proves the strength of the country. The JIH has affirmed that every government is dutybound to serve the people and take care of their needs.
The JIH-Rajasthan organised a press conference on the subject, “The current situation of the state and our expectations from the new government”, at its state headquarters, Islamic Centre, in Jaipur on December 23. The purpose behind organising the press conference was to make the BJP government aware of the problems prevailing in the state and discuss the issues such as unemployment, women’s safety, social harmony, communalism, etc.
JIH Rajasthan state president Mohammed Nazimuddin, addressing the press conference, said since the new government had taken charge in the state, the organisation was willing to extend its best wishes to it. “It is natural for the citizens to have certain expectations from the government, which has the duty to fulfil them,” Nazimuddin said.
Mr. Nazimuddin pointed out that during the election campaign, communal elements had vitiated the atmosphere by raising objectionable slogans and giving provocative speeches, which was regrettable. “In the last few years, there have been incidents of mob lynching and communalism at some places in the state and hostile slogans were raised in rallies and processions. This is also a matter of concern,” he said.
The JIH state president said the new government was expected to maintain communal harmony and brotherhood in the state, for which the cooperation of social and religious organisations could be obtained. Incidents of taking law into one’s own hands had increased in the state during the recent past, he said, while expressing the hope that the government’s decision to form an Anti-Gangster Task Force would help improve the law and order situation.
Referring to the issue of women’s safety and security, Mr. Nazimuddin said women were feeling unsafe in the state, as the incidents of molestation and rape of women and girl students had increased. He asked the state government to pay immediate attention to the issue and take effective steps to strengthen women’s safety. He suggested that special courts could be established and efforts made to speed up the process for punishment to the culprits.
Mr. Nazimuddin also drew the government’s attention to the lack of medical facilities in proportion to population in the rural areas, while pointing out there were no Primary Health Centres in several villages, and wherever they were operational, there were no medicines and other facilities available. At other places, there was a severe shortage of doctors.
The JIH underlined the need for continuing the ongoing schemes in different sectors, including the Chief Minister’s free medicine scheme and other programmes and projects related to education, health and employment. The JIH leader said the existing schemes, launched by the previous government, should be continued and expanded in order to extend their benefits to more people and make them more effective.
“We earnestly hope that the new government will try to make the state more developed, prosperous, peaceful and harmonious and accord the highest priority to the upliftment of farmers, poor, destitute, youth, women, backward classes and minorities,” Mr. Nazimuddin said in a significant observation.
Mr. Nazimuddin described the recent suspension of 146 Opposition MPs as unjust and dangerous for democracy. “The Opposition plays an important role in holding the government accountable, representing alternative viewpoints and ensuring a system of checks and balances. The arbitrary suspension of the Opposition MPs undermines these fundamental principles and is detrimental to the democratic and constitutional values of the country,” he said while replying to the journalists’ questions.
The JIH has demanded that the BJP-led Central Government cancel the suspension of MPs for maintaining the dignity of democracy. The BJP seems to have got emboldened after its victory in the Assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and has started targeting the Opposition with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It remains to be seen how the BJP handles governance and deals with the Opposition Congress after getting an absolute majority by winning 115 seats in the 200-member Assembly in Rajasthan.
