Whatever could be the faults of AAP, there was one thing every one agreed on the Aam Admi Party led by Arvind Kejriwal, from commoners to eminent people like Amartya Sen. Every one acknowledged that for the first time in the history of independent india, the AAP demonstrated in the Delhi assembly elections, that elections could be won without appealing to caste, religion and without recourse to black money and criminal elements. More than the latter two evils,, the AAP united the voters cutting across all religious and caste denominations on the twin inter connected planks of elimination of corruption and good governance.
And Shazia Ilmi’s video recording which she has owned upto as her voice, where she tells Muslims that they have been too secular and they should now become communal and take care of their own interest has shocked and the nation. And it is a crying shame that she is a founding member of AAP. She must be expelled from the party and example set for other communal elements in BJP, Congress and SP.
Like many of her colleagues in the same profession, she tried to say, ‘ I was only playing on words and when I say act communal, it means take care of your own community.’ She is trying to wriggle out saying, she didn’t mean that, but meant this, etc and she’s wondering as to why media is over reacting. They should be attacking the Togadias of the world instead.
Shazia who professes to be a media savvy veteran herself and a leading light of AAP can’t be so naïve as not to know, that she’s not playing with words but playing with fire and stoking the flames of communal divide. It is in all probability the same ideology and electoral calculations of people like her- Mr Togadia, Azam Khan and Giriraj Singh or Iqbal Masood – which is dictating their behaviour and speeches. All means are justified to achieve the ends, to win at all costs. Even if it means their speeches will divide the nation and fan sectarian violence.
The election commission must come down with a heavy hand on all such people who are spewing venom and sowing hatred and dividing society and ban them from contesting elections. And also initiate criminal proceedings. This must be carried out firmly and swiftly.
Narendra Modi must be lauded for dis approving such petty speeches of many leaders who are purporting to be BJP well wishers . He also spoke like a statesman when he said that there is only one scripture and that is our Constitution and one mantra, which is ‘Development’ and one ethic for india ‘Good Governance’. He also said if he becomes the Prime Minister, he will focus on good work rather than go witch hunting after Vadra or Sonia, as five years is very precious to pursue negative things. The government must take care of it under the law, as no one is above the law. He has set the right tone for reconciliation by saying all Muslims are Indian citizens and equal under the law. His slogan is – ” Sab ke Saath, Sab ka Vikas.’
Though many wished and some criticised that he was not harsh enough and should have castigated the fanatics campaigning for BJP with stronger words.
Nevertheless it is a good beginning and hope sanity prevails and all political parties show wisdom by reining in their rabid colleagues and never forget the greatness of India and its rich diversity which is like a vibrant tapestry, mingling with and absorbed over thousands of years of Aryan, Macedonian, Islamic, Persian, Zorastrian, Dravidian,Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, Christian, Hebrew and tribal animist traditions and influence since Vedic times.
And when I heard a concert two days ago, of Mandolin Maestro U Srinivas with Fazal Quereshi on Tabla, the son of legendary Ustad Alla Rakha, in a Ram Navami concert, I felt with ineffable joy in my heart how blessed I was to be born and living in a country like India. Love of the ‘Particular’ and love of the ‘Universal’ go hand in hand.