The
Muslim struggle for reservation is a strategic attempt to get into a position
of dominating Indian governments first through states where they have critical
numbers and in turn at the Centre. There is nothing novel about it because it
only means broadly a repeat performance of the history as it unfolded between
1906-1947. That history ended with the Partition. The pathetic
picture of Pakistan discourages the Muslims of the rest of India into seeking a
further sovereign separation. Instead they have chosen a more imaginative
alternative of flourishing in India and at the same time living off the
economic and intellectual labour of the other communities led by the Hindus. So
much for current politics.
The ideological Gangotri of these politics flows from Gandhi's
devastating ignorance of the Muslim mentality. One only needs to hear his
favourite bhajan Ishwar Allah Tero Naam. Actually, this is highly
offensive to a Muslim, whether he reacts or not. There is no God other than
Allah, is the starting premise of Islam. Any wonder that Maulana Muhammad Ali
said in 1924 that Gandhi is worse than a Musalman without character?
The Khilafat movement which Gandhi proudly led demonstrated
his ignorance. When he found that he had not been able to get the Muslim masses
to sing his praise, he declared that ensuring the Sultan of Turkey, the Khalifa
of Sunni Islam, on his throne was equal to the achievement ofSwarajaya.
When the Khilafat movement failed the Muslims felt betrayed and rioting began
first with the Moplahs of Malabar. Killing Hindus did not stop for long years.
His eldest son Harilal must have taken a cue from his father's idea of Islam
and therefore proceeded to convert himself and become Abdullah without
understanding the religion. It was a rare tribute paid by a son to his living
father. He abandoned his Ishwar in favour of Allah. Any wonder, he soon
returned to being Harilal?
How many politicians of today know the published fact that Gandhi, in September
1944, at Jinnah's residence on Malabar Hill, Bombay, had agreed to Partition?
He endorsed the Partition when it came by not even fasting in protest against
it. Yet he fasted for giving Pakistan Rs.55 crore thereafter. The message to
all his followers was that to appease Muslims is their bounden
duty.
How many secular politicians of today realize that the seeds of Muslim strategy
were sown in the Simla prayer to Viceroy Minto by 35 eminences led by Sir Aga
Khan on 1st October 1906. While these were the seeds, Gandhi's example was the
lasting fertilizer for Muslim demands.
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