Aymen’s Page

 Secularism and social justice are not mere election slogans, but they remained the soul and ideology of the Congress

                                                                                         -Sonia Gandhi

The Congress party presents it’s secular credentials every now and then; however the Nehru-Gandhi party has failed to prove itself as a flag bearer of actual secularism, even in the Indian context of the word.

Argument # 1

The Bhartiya Janata Party Demolished the Babri Masjid.

As you have recently reminded us, the Union Govt. in Delhi has all the rights to intervene , if the state government fails to protect the civillians.

Which party was at the Centre at the time of demolition of the Babri structure? P.V.Narasimha Rao, who was, I believe from the Congress Party.

But, they say, Babri never happened in Delhi. Ah! Here is what all you could have done:

1. You could have, acted, on the information provided by the Intelligence agencies. 

http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=90109

2. You could have invoked the president’s rule; as suggested.

3. What was the Fifth Schedule for? You didn’t even threaten the state government. The assurances of L.K.Advani were farcial, you know it, we know it, even Rao knew it.

Argument # 2

We guaranteed Secularism and Socialism by amending the constitution.

May we remind you that the 42nd Amendment was passed at a time when opposition leaders were being baked in tihar; the basic structure of the constitution can be changed (violated) only by a dictator – Ah! now I remember, it was a dictator.

Argument # 3

If you don’t vote us; the Communal party will come in power.

Pray tell me, how is it going to make any difference at all?

You were in power from the period 1947-1990s. All the major riots that occured, happened to be during this time alone. Care to explain?

The fact that regional parties are stronger than the two principal parties, in their states, is proof enough of your secularism.

Argument # 4

We’ve apologised to the Sikh community, we even made one of them as the head of our government!

Narendra Modi, in 2024, might as well apologise for the Godhra carnage, he may apologise to every Muslim. Twenty years hence, no one would care about the orphaned, burnt and raped Gujaratis.

Argument # 5

We appointed the Sacchar Commission.

You might have appointed any commission for any community, the questions is, how many Muslims have benefited? The number of Muslims in the armed forces, intelligence agencies and civil services is MUCH below average – in the 40 years that you have ruled, Muslims have neither benefited from either your policies nor your commissions.

Argument # 6

Religion based reservations.

Reservations for castes or poor or whoever are misplaced. We all know this! Why appease when you know the vote bank is no more yours?

Argument # 7

The Shiv Sena went on a rampage in Mumbai, we didn’t.

The Srikrishna Commission has submitted it’s findings, we are still waiting for ACTION on the culprits.

We’re waiting for Jagdish Tytler to be sacked, how long is it going to be?

Argument # 8

The Bajrang Dal is a part of the Sangh Parivar, we abhor the Sangh Parivar.

Do you remember Orissa 2008? How can you forget!

You had that one golden opportunity to ban the Bajrang Dal, just like you banned the Students Islamic Movement India. What stopped you?

You had ample choice to ban  HJM, BD, VHP, SRS, SS, MNS – all of them, through a simple piece of legislation! Ah! but why would you? How are you any different from the party with a difference?

__________

It is time that the average citizen, regardless of his religion see through the two “national parties” which have played havoc in our lives for a long time.

The regional parties, viz., TDP, AIADMK, AGP, BJD, JD(U) and the BSP have, in their respective states acted as better lesser evils than the BJP or the Congress. 

They’ve spoken your language, they’ve made sure of better development and they’ve been much more tolerant towards religion than the Congress or the BJP.

The Congress Party is run by one family which ironically swears by democracy!

It is, therefore my advice that we choose Independent candidates or candidates of smaller parties which have educated, sensible people as candidates. In absence of either, it is best we choose the regional parties.

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References:

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1. The Gujarat Riots

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_Gujarat_violence

2. Bombay 1992-93 riots

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai_riots

3. Srikrishna Commission’s findings.

http://www.sabrang.com/srikrish/sri%20main.htm

4. The Babri Demolition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babri_Mosque

4. Pogrom of 1984

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_Anti-Sikh_Riots

5. Kandhamal 2008

http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/sep/01mob.htm

6. The Constitution’s Fifth Schedule

There are reports that the Congress may also push for invocation of the Constitution’s Fifth Schedule to control the violence in Orissa. The Fifth Schedule gives extensive rights to the State Governor in matters relating to scheduled areas and scheduled tribes.

http://news.indiamart.com/news-analysis/riot-hit-kandhamal-r-19774.html