WHETHER SITA HAD ELOPED WITH RAWANA?
Let us first examine the meaning of the word ‘minority’. The meaning of any word depends on its usage. We can understand as if this word is used in a National Seminar organized by a prime institution of the world under the aegis of Dr. Ambedkar Chair of Legal Studies & Research, Department of Law, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. It could be easier for a person like me who is not an academic scholar but a social activist. The word is used in perspective of an outnumbered group of the people. If this word is used to connote the Muslims, the Christians, the Sikhs or the Buddhists of India, I do not agree with the usage of the word ‘minority’.
For me the Muslims, the Christians, the Sikhs or the Buddhists in India are not in minority. These groups of the people constitute and contribute in a large numbers so far as the population of this country is concerned. Therefore, the use of the word ‘minority’ for the Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Buddhists is totally unwarranted. Amongst the so-called minorities the Sikhs, Jains and even Buddhists equate themselves with the Hindus as such they are co-opted and adopted as Hindus. The Christians are very meager in number and not playing any positive role in the governance of the country. They are limited to the service of the people and busy in imparting quality education through their educational institutions. Therefore the word ‘minority’ has become synonymous to Muslims only as such our point of discussion should be limited to the ‘Political Participation of the Muslims rather wasting our valuable time on minorities as a whole.
Before we come to the aspect of the participation of a particular group or community’s role in the process of the governance, we have to see as to whether these groups of the people are of Indian origin. Or they come from Arab, Iran or Pakistan as is being termed in the case of Muslims. The History is evident that they (Muslims) are the majority people who have played big roles in making this country of ours ‘a sovereign’. To my point of view, the Muslims of this country are not alien to this land of ours. They are very much Indian rather aboriginal to this land of ours. If we try to peep into the history of this country, we could not find the traces of availability of the Muslim factor prior to the advent of Mohammed Bin Quasim in the year A.D.712. Barring a few hundreds of the soldiers, Mohammed Bin Quasim did not bring any common population to have shelter in this country. Later on the Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni led a series of plundering raids and finally plundered Som Nath Temple of Kathiawar and has gone back. Then Mohd Ghori appeared on the scene. These Muslim incursions did not produce any serious effect in the vast interior of this country. Then comes the period of dynasties of slaves, Khiljis, the Tughlaqs, the Sayyids and the Lodis. And finally the advent of Mughals through Babur in 1526 has established Mughal Empire in India. The astonishing fact of all the invasions led by Muslims reveals that no Muslim king or invaders have brought any Muslims population with him. They certainly haven’t brought any sort of females on their adventure to the land. Then it is proved beyond doubt that no Muslim masses have either come from Arab, Iran or Pakistan. They are aboriginal to this land that embraced
Islam, the faith of Equality, Fraternity & Liberty based on the living of scientific way of living.
Prior to the advent of Islam in India, the country was very badly divided and sub-divided into thousands of Castes and creeds on the basis of graded degradation. Basically, the Hindu society was broadly divided into the four-segment namely- the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas, the Vaishyas and the Shudras. Now, the question arises as to which segment of the Hindus have embraced Islam in India. Naturally, the oppressed section of Hindu Society might have embraced Islam in order to get rid off their age-old oppression. The Brahmins, the Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas have no need of conversion as the Brahmins have claimed themselves ‘Superior most’; the Kshatriyas the rulers and the Vaishyas were feeders to the above two and who have no dearth of resources. Therefore, the oppressed segment of the Hindu fold i.e. the Shudras have to take refuse in Islam. At present, the Muslims are one fifth of the Indian population approximately. The government Datas are suppressed one.
Now, the question arises as to who are the wasted interests in India who term this vast majority as minority and why? As mentioned above, the first three segments of Hindu hierarchy has no need to be drifted apart from the Hindu fold at any time as they always enjoyed all the fruits and juice of India. It may also be noted that the first three segments (varanas) of Hindu hierarchy not only treat themselves superior to the fourth varana but perpetually persecuted them for centuries. They have reduced them to subjugation up to the point of inhumanity. It is really a matter of concern for every right thinking human being as to why the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas and even the Vaishyas inflict abominable thralldom and inhuman injustice to the majority of the people. Why these segments are blood thirsty of the Shudras (today’s SC/ST/OBC). Why they term the Muslims, the Christians, the Sikhs and the Buddhists as minority and treat them at par with the so called Shudras?
It is obvious that the three of the Hindu hierarchy are not aboriginal to this land of ours. They are alien Aryans who come from middle Asia about 4500 years back. None other than Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru the first Prime Minister of India has duly authenticated this fact in his book titled “Discovery of India”. And the great Hindu activist Pt. Bal Gangadhar Tilak has also similar claim through his own book “The Arctic Home of Aryans”. That is why the Hindu Aryans have no love to this land of ours and its people- the dalits, Backwards, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhist etc. Then certainly, it was poor Shudras, the fourth Varana who has embraced Islam by kicking out the inhuman bloody Hindu religion. The fourth segment of Hindu hierarchy constitutes a vast majority of about 70% of the total Indian population. If our blood brothers- Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Buddhists of this country of ours are taken into account then we crosses the 92% mark!
Now, I take up the question of ‘Political Participation of the so called Minorities’. Since the independence of this country, the so called minorities have remained solidly behind Congress Party, as is the case with dalits without longing for anything. The pre-independence massacres of the Muslims have left them in a state of fearfulness. They never demanded anything except safety and security of their kith and kin. Though the Muslims had played very vital role in India’s independence but the Hindu leaders of Congress Party did not suitably reward them. The Congress Party used to take either one or two Muslim leader while forming their government. For almost 50 years, the Muslims remained loyal vote Bank of Congress. During this period, the Muslims were suitably rewarded by way of communal riots on regular intervals leaving them mentally engaged for their security. They always relied on their fake notions and opinion that the survival of their community lies only at the hands of the Congress Party! During these 50 years of Congress rule, they were reduced to 1.5% in the top jobs of the country whereas they used to enjoy and occupy over 35% positions in the top job in the governance and judiciary of pre-independent India. Mere aloofness from political participation has left them at the receiving end in every walk of their lives. On the other hand, their compatriot Hindus have got everything and kept themselves stronger and stronger.
Dr. Ambedkar was of the opinion that the political power is the master key by which each and every lock to success is opened, but our brothers and sisters coming from so-called minorities didn’t bother for making their own political power. Their passive way of thinking has left them nowhere. They were branded aliens and repeatedly abused by calling them Pakistani etc. The repeated attacks on the Muslims by none other than Hindus have virtually left them with the feeling of insecurity. The ferocity and effect of the communal riots was as deep as they were engineered by the Upper strata of the Hindus and ably supported by the state and media. Under the situation and circumstances our Muslim brothers have made themselves secluded. In the passage of time they were accustomed to think themselves as if they were outsiders.
In the guise of communal riots, the Muslims were butchered, their women were raped and their little properties are looted and even they are branded communal, wretch, villain, knave, rogue, ruffian, rapscallion, scamp, caitiff, sneak, scoundrel, culprit, reprobate, delinquent, bully, malefactor, fantastic, felon, criminal and what not! Since the Muslims are victims of the communal whims of the Hindus even they are branded as communal, fanatic and even terrorists. What a pity, the victims of the communal violence are branded communal! The Hindus believe in repeating a lie for 99 times so as to make it appear as truth. In branding the Muslims as communal, fanatic and even terrorists the state and media have played very vital role. A stubborn hate-mongering campaign has been launched against the Muslims so as to make them secluded. By virtue of this relentless hate-mongering campaign, the Muslims came to feel that there are no takers for them. But that is not the case. There are.
Before disclosing as to who could be the align partner of the Muslims in their political empowerment, let my Muslims brothers and sister should themselves identify them. They are mistaken in thinking that the Hindus are majority as is being claimed by some outfits of the Sangh-Pariwar. Baba Sahib Dr. Bheemrao Ambedkar has made it abundantly clear that the dalits (erstwhile Shudras) are not Hindus but the slave of the Hindu- mentality. On several occasions, I have questioned the proprietors of Hindu-religion as to whether the dalit-adivasis and the people of backward classes (Nayee, Kumhar, Badhai, Dhanak, Dhobi, Kachhi, Kahar, Mallah, Ahirs, Jaat, Jatav, Gurjar, Balmiki, Chamar, Khatiks, Saini, Passi, Lodhis, Rajbhar, Baghel, Teli, Tamoli, Darji, Bhurji, Kurmi, Koeri, Kevat, Nishad ets.) are Hindus? If yes, then why their basis human and constitutional rights have not yet been restored? Why their proportionate share in the land, wealth, education, business, industry, judiciary and governance of the country has not been given? Furthermore, why the real Hindus i.e. the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas have not yet made matrimonial alliances beginning with community feasts with these dalit-Adivasi and backward class people? And why the dalit-Adivasi and backward class people are not yet allowed to have their access to Hindu temples as is the case with Muslims and Christians. Why the Hindu Micro-Minority (Brahmins, Kshatriya & Vaishyas) have not yet established inter cast-marriage and inter cast dining with their co-religious fraternity- the dalit-Adivasi and backward class people? It means, the dalit-Adivasi and backward class people are not Hindus but the slaves of Hindu-mentality. Otherwise Baba Sahib Dr. Ambedkar was not compelled to say, “I was born as a Hindu because it was not within my powers, but I assure you that I shall not die as a Hindu”.
It is quite clear that the dalit-Adivasi and backward class people who constitute a vast majority of India’s population of over 70 percent are not Hindus, leaving the rest the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas and Vaishyas not only in minority but micro-minority!. The mere 8 to 10 percent of the total Indian population cannot be termed as majority but a Micro-Minority. This is the only section of the Indian population, which is responsible for all the evils in the country. This Hindu Micro-Minority has since been creating havoc and hell for dalits and Muslims at the same time depriving Backward communities.
Now the question arises as to how this Hindu Micro-Minority (HMM) is able to play mischief with the life, property and dignity of the Dalit and Muslims? The answer is very simple. It is because of their being remaining at the pinnacle of political power that too when democracy is there in the country. In spite of having majority on our side, it is really a matter of surprise and shame for dalits and Muslims. In democracy, the
majority must rule the country but it is Micro-Minority, which has become our masters in the country of ours. They have virtually made the democracy meaningless for us. Now the question arises as to how the Hindu Micro-Minority has attained dominant position, seems to be unsurpassable under our present state of mind.
Let us come to the point as to who are the people or group of the people who don’t want to see the Muslims as well as the dalits eye to eye. They are certainly none other than the Hindu Micro-Minority who is our common enemy. And why they become die-hard enemy of Muslims because the Muslims are predominantly converted from this dalit-adivasi and backward class people of this country.
From the above discussion, it is abundantly clear that the enemy of the dalit-adivasi, Backward classes, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikh and Christians has been identified. It is none other than the Hindu-Aryans who is not aboriginal to this land of ours because they come from middle Asia about 4500 years ago. They are not in majority but Micro-Minority. They have become ruling class in India not by their intellectual instinct alone or any sort of merit but on the follies of the majority Bahujan Samaj i.e. The Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, Backward Castes, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Christians etc.
Under the situation and circumstances, So far as I understand, the aloofness and passiveness have emerged amongst the mind of my Muslim brothers. As a matter of fact, the Muslims have since been playing the role of a catalyst in political process of the country though they are the formidable force to reckon with. They rightly think that their enemy No. 1 is Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) the political outfit of Sangh Pariwar rather Shung-Pariwar) which comprises the HMM element so far as its leadership is concerned. Then, it should be the bounden duty of every Muslim to defeat them or get them defeated. In the process they used to choose the lesser evil rather the biggest proven evil so far as the damage and destruction of Muslims are concerned. They forget that in reality the bureaucrats are ruling the country and their beloved Congress Party has eliminated the Muslim factor from the bureaucratic setup of the land rather their access to the employment in Police and Para-military forces have since been denied or restricted! Their entry in military and Para military services is almost banned. Then only with the help or support of other political parties, who too have this HMM element in abundance, the Muslims may not be able to get them protected or feel secured. Then in order to defeat the forces of antagonism, the Muslims have to think twice over their set principle of defeating BJP or getting elected anybody else.
The problems of the Muslims do not lie with political parties but the fanatic HMM element. This fanatic HMM element is found abundantly and predominantly in BJP that is why we term BJP our enemy No.1. While analyzing and assessing this fact we should also bear in our mind that there comes No. 2, 3, 4 and so on. The Congress Party which is also run by the same HMM element should not be treated safe. The historical evidences reveal enough that this party is responsible for the ruin and subduing Muslim-hegemony in the past fifty years of its rule. And so is the case with Samajwadi Party of Brother Mulayam Singh Yadav of SP and Mayavati of BSP.
It is worthwhile to note that the so called Maulana Mulayam Singh Yadav for the survival of his government and sister Mayawati for the cover-up of her omissions have been playing in the hands of the BJP-leadership. In absence of any viable alternative, both have been pampering themselves politically that too on the compulsions of dalit-Muslims. Then where did the Muslims go? To which party or leader they should vote, support and elect? On one side the Congress has misused their voting strength for almost five decades and then it was transferred to Mulayam Singh Yadav that too without adhering to the redress of their problems. I still think that the fault still remains with the Muslim intellectuals who didn’t bother to be the torchbearer for their unfortunate brothers and sisters. Instead of voting, supporting and
electing their enemy No. 2 or 3 or 4, they should concentrate on
building up their own political strength and then align with the likeminded group. I hold the Muslims particularly their intellectual and
affluent section responsible for hobnobbing with the HMM elements in their normal course of lives without going into the background of all their troubles.
There is one more fact the affluent and intellectual Muslim needs to ponder as to why the Hindu Micro-Minorities in India are blood-thirsty of Muslims alone as is the case with dalits? Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar has made the Dalits (erstwhile untouchables) realize that ‘the movement of the untouchables must mean an OPEN WAR upon the Caste Hindus… Then there remains no iota of any sort of doubt that the Caste Hindus are the enemies of Dalits and a line of action to this effect has been drawn up by dalits to take on their enemies and emerging as a force to reckon with in Indian horizon. Similarly, the Muslims brothers and sisters have to draw their line of action not on the basis of political parties but on the basis of the identification of their enemy which is none other than the Caste Hindus who are determined to eliminate them from this country of ours.
Before I conclude, I earnestly request my Muslim brothers and sisters to have a sincere look and thinking on my above submission and try to identify and differentiate between friends and foes and then draw a clear-cut demarcation. After this process of identification and demarcation, they should keep distance with the identified enemy of their honorable existence i.e. the Hindu Micro-Minority. Further to whom they should align with for their political empowerment, they should have to look for their natural allies who too are the victims at the hands of the HMM. Once we settled for taking on our common enemy the Caste Hindus we must try to forge community alliance with our leftover co-brothers i.e. the dalit-adivasi and backward class people. Once we could be able to undertake this process collectively, we are certain to have political participation and ultimately political empowerment not only for the Muslim Community but also ensure it for their co-brothers the dalit-adivasis and backward class peoples.
Jai Ambedkar, Jai Periyar, Jai Aurangzeb,
Aligarh U.P. (India)
27th March 2004.
- Note: These are the excerpts of the speech delivered by Bhai Tej Singh, National
Commander BSS at a Seminar organized by Law Faculty of Aligarh Muslim
University, Aligarh
