Varun Gandhi reminds the reason of Partition

In today’s changing world, many don’t agree with the viewpoint that the partition of United India into Pakistan and India, in 1947, was in result of the denial of Muslims’ civil and administrative rights and fair share in the establishment in the United India and there was a danger that Muslims will remain under the threat and domination of Hindu political forces that would continue to maintain the unjust and discriminatory political system. Now the recent, inflammatory, abusive and threatened statements against the Indian Muslims by a prominent family member of India’s most influential political dynasty should be sufficient for those to understand the need of Pakistan.

From the demolition of Babri Mosque to the massacre of Muslims in Gujarat the world, time and again, has seen the Hindu-Muslim clashes in India. Being in minority, every time, Muslims have to pay the cost and they have to prove their loyalty with their country (India).

The recent frightening assertion as part of election campaign by the 29-year-old Varun Gandhi, who is a great-grandson of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and son of Maneka & late Sanjay Gandhi and also the nephew of Congress Party Chief Sonia Gandhi should open the minds of those who still don’t understand why the leaders of United Muslims demanded for a separate land for Muslims in 1940s.

According to the media clips shown by Indian TV media, Varun Gandhi threatened Muslims in his speeches he delivered as a part of his election campaign. He with the pledge of Gita warned Muslims that he would cut off the hands of Muslims who threatened Hindus. Varun Gandhi compared his rival Muslim candidate to Osama Bin Laden. He loudly told Muslims to go to Pakistan.

Addressing a large rally, Varun Gandhi repeatedly with an extremely offensive remarks and by raising hand he said that this is not the Congress' symbol of hand but is the BJP's arm that would behead Muslims. There has not been a single incidence in his recent election speeches where he insulted Muslims. He came out with various jokes about Muslims. He referred Muslims names as scary. He said, Muslims names look dangerous, if one comes across them at night, he may get frightened.

It is highly notable here that he is the same anti-Muslim Varun Gandhi whose mother won the elections in the past by the votes of Muslims. Varun Gandhi is the BJP candidate from the UP city of Pilibhit. This constituency has a large number of Muslims. Varun’s mother Maneka has repeatedly enjoyed the seat of parliament by winning the election by the votes of Muslims of the same constituency.

Certainly, most of the top leaderships of major political parties condemn Varun’s behaviour. However, Varun’s Bharatiya Junta Party except showing distance from Varun’s remarks about Muslims opted to have silence. On the other hand, the Shive Sena Chief Bal Thackeray backs Varun Gandhi. Thackeray said his party would welcome such a Gandhi as the young gun was full of Hindutva spirit. He said Varun did not say anything wrong that would violate the model code of political conduct. He asked Varun Gandhi not to apologise for whatever he said about Muslims.

India claims the largest democracy and secularism yet never get out from communal riots and ethnic disputes. Nevertheless, this is very unfortunate that Varun Gandhi’s these anti-Muslims remarks came in public when the subcontinent has already been on the target of the terrorists on the name of Islam. Al-Qaeda, Taliban and Laskhtar-e-Tayyaba have already controlled most of the northern part of Pakistan and aiming to control the rest. If they control Pakistan then India will be on their doorstep. The inflammatory statements by Varun Gandhi and other Hindu extremists may not only ignite Hindu-Muslim clashes in India but may create opportunities for Islamic extremists to take the advantage of the situation. The 26/11 attacks in Mumbai has already detached India and Pakistan from their past hard-work in building friendly atmosphere. And now the message of hatred and threat by the Hindu extremists like Varun Gandhi and Bal Thackeray will provide golden opportunity for the Islamic extremist like Al-Qaeda and Laskhar-e-Tayyaba to jump into the game and gain the support of common Indian Muslim by countering Hindu extremists.

Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Indian leadership, in power or opposition, to condemn and impede Varun Gandhi from his anti-Muslim preaching.

Concluded: 19th of March, 2009.

Syed A. Hassan, JP,
M.Sc (Comp Tech), B.Sc (Hons), M.A (Eco), LLB, Dip Journalism
Sydney-based Journalist, Foreign Correspondent & Educationist,
Homepage: www.sauhassan.com

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