Disenfranchise Muslims in order to end vote-bank politics, demanded Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, triggering a firestorm of protest in both the community and political circles. The Mumbai police has stepped up vigil across the city to prevent any communal incident in view of the article.
In a signed article in Saamna, the Sena mouthpiece, on Sunday , Raut slammed both secular and Hindutva forces for playing upon the insecurities of the Muslim community to win elections.
“In elections, some want a Muslim candidate, while others don't. Muslims will not be on the path of development if their numerical strength continues to be misused by political parties. Muslims have no future in this country if there is going to be petty politics over their voting power.... Balasaheb Thackeray had made a demand that Muslims should be stripped of their voting right. This is an appropriate demand...The mask of secularists will come off if Muslims are disenfranchised... Muslims should take the initiative in this connection,“ wrote Raut. None of the state BJP leaders were willing to go on record on the Saamna article.“Keep us out of this. We have enough muck on our plate,“ said a BJP functionary . But he admitted that Raut's rants would make the state BJP government “vulnerable“ to fresh rounds of criticism.
BJP spokesperson Shrikant Sharma said in New Delhi, “Owaisi brothers play communal politics. However, this does not mean that any community should be stripped of its democratic rights. This is Shiv Sena's personal view and BJP does not agree with it.“
Sena sought to downplay the article saying the party is against “appeasement politics“ and the violation of fundamental rights of Muslim women.“The article tries to say that to achieve development in every sphere of life, the politics of appeasement being done by a section of leaders needs to be done away with as it is not in the interest of Muslims. These people are only misguiding the community without really helping them,“ Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe told agencies. Reacting to her comments, Congress' Abhishek Manu Singhvi, said, “It is disgusting to hear such remarks... We are living in a democratic country , not in any Talibani state.“
Several Muslim and Congress leaders demanded criminal proceedings against Raut.City Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam and senior leader Sachin Sawant demanded that Raut's Rajya Sabha membership be revoked. Nirupam said the onus was now on CM Devendra Fadnavis to initiate criminal proceedings against Raut. “If Fadnavis does not act, it will mean that he was endorsing the views expressed by Raut,“ he said, adding Sena and MIM should be barred from contesting polls. Muslim leaders demanded Raut's arrest for trying to breach peace. MIM legislator Waris Pathan said, “We demand Fadnavis file a criminal case or else MIM will move the court against Raut.“ NCP functionary Nawab Malik said India can march ahead only if Muslims are treated with respect and a sense of equality.
A senior police officer said, “We have sought the opinion of the law and judiciary department on whether Raut's article attracts provisions of the IPC, particularly section 153A (which deals with hate speech).“
He said alerts have been sounded to be on guard against any communal flare-ups.
Interestingly, Raut also lashed out at Hindutva forces for playing the Muslim card for political gains. It appears that Hindutva leaders tacitly support a radical Muslim leader as he helps polarization of votes which actually helps patriotic parties to flaunt their stripes, said Raut, adding, “The crux of the problem is that every political party wants to provoke the Muslim community for its political benefit...Hindutva leaders are playing with national security if they think division of Muslim votes will bring them huge electoral success.“
“Right to vote is provided by the Constitution to every citizen. A case should be filed against Raut and he should be arrested for suggesting that Muslims be denied this right,“ said Maulana Athar Ali, member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board at a conference for Muslim reservation.
While stating that he felt “awfully sorry“ while writing the Saamna piece, Raut said, “However, surgery is often needed to restore one's health.“ He said that exploiting Muslims for winning elections will threaten India's territorial integrity and security .
In a signed article in Saamna, the Sena mouthpiece, on Sunday , Raut slammed both secular and Hindutva forces for playing upon the insecurities of the Muslim community to win elections.
“In elections, some want a Muslim candidate, while others don't. Muslims will not be on the path of development if their numerical strength continues to be misused by political parties. Muslims have no future in this country if there is going to be petty politics over their voting power.... Balasaheb Thackeray had made a demand that Muslims should be stripped of their voting right. This is an appropriate demand...The mask of secularists will come off if Muslims are disenfranchised... Muslims should take the initiative in this connection,“ wrote Raut. None of the state BJP leaders were willing to go on record on the Saamna article.“Keep us out of this. We have enough muck on our plate,“ said a BJP functionary . But he admitted that Raut's rants would make the state BJP government “vulnerable“ to fresh rounds of criticism.
BJP spokesperson Shrikant Sharma said in New Delhi, “Owaisi brothers play communal politics. However, this does not mean that any community should be stripped of its democratic rights. This is Shiv Sena's personal view and BJP does not agree with it.“
Sena sought to downplay the article saying the party is against “appeasement politics“ and the violation of fundamental rights of Muslim women.“The article tries to say that to achieve development in every sphere of life, the politics of appeasement being done by a section of leaders needs to be done away with as it is not in the interest of Muslims. These people are only misguiding the community without really helping them,“ Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe told agencies. Reacting to her comments, Congress' Abhishek Manu Singhvi, said, “It is disgusting to hear such remarks... We are living in a democratic country , not in any Talibani state.“
Several Muslim and Congress leaders demanded criminal proceedings against Raut.City Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam and senior leader Sachin Sawant demanded that Raut's Rajya Sabha membership be revoked. Nirupam said the onus was now on CM Devendra Fadnavis to initiate criminal proceedings against Raut. “If Fadnavis does not act, it will mean that he was endorsing the views expressed by Raut,“ he said, adding Sena and MIM should be barred from contesting polls. Muslim leaders demanded Raut's arrest for trying to breach peace. MIM legislator Waris Pathan said, “We demand Fadnavis file a criminal case or else MIM will move the court against Raut.“ NCP functionary Nawab Malik said India can march ahead only if Muslims are treated with respect and a sense of equality.
A senior police officer said, “We have sought the opinion of the law and judiciary department on whether Raut's article attracts provisions of the IPC, particularly section 153A (which deals with hate speech).“
He said alerts have been sounded to be on guard against any communal flare-ups.
Interestingly, Raut also lashed out at Hindutva forces for playing the Muslim card for political gains. It appears that Hindutva leaders tacitly support a radical Muslim leader as he helps polarization of votes which actually helps patriotic parties to flaunt their stripes, said Raut, adding, “The crux of the problem is that every political party wants to provoke the Muslim community for its political benefit...Hindutva leaders are playing with national security if they think division of Muslim votes will bring them huge electoral success.“
“Right to vote is provided by the Constitution to every citizen. A case should be filed against Raut and he should be arrested for suggesting that Muslims be denied this right,“ said Maulana Athar Ali, member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board at a conference for Muslim reservation.
While stating that he felt “awfully sorry“ while writing the Saamna piece, Raut said, “However, surgery is often needed to restore one's health.“ He said that exploiting Muslims for winning elections will threaten India's territorial integrity and security .
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