Renowned Islamic scholar and President of the Islamic Centre, New Delhi, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan has welcomed the new BJP President Shri Bangaru Laxman’s move to reach out to Muslims. He considers the call the biggest opportunity for Indian Muslims to join the national mainstream, which they should utilise to their advantage. In an exclusive interview to Organiser representative Pramod Kumar the veteran Islamic scholar explains how the Muslim community can use the opportunity and how the BJP can win over Muslims. Excerpts:

What is your reaction to the new BJP President Bangaru Laxman’s appeal to his party workers to win over and reach out to Muslims?

I welcome it. And I consider it by far the best opportunity for Indian Muslims to join the national mainstream. Muslims should utilise this opportunity. I have said on many occasions that no political party is untouchable since all the parties have roots in India. Therefore, Muslims need to support the party that truly wants to work for their betterment and would not exploit them as has happened during the last 50 years. As far as the BJP is concerned the fact that has kept Muslims away from it so far is that it has a pro-Hindu image. As long as the BJP does not break this image, Indian Muslims, as I feel, will continue to hesitate to join hands with it.

How could the BJP change this image?

Dalits also had the impression that BJP was a party of upper caste people. By making Shri Bangaru Laxman the party president, the BJP has given a clear message to the dalit communities. Muslims also expect the similar kind of measures.

Would you like to elaborate?

Muslims protest over the recitation of Saraswati Vandana and Vande Mataram in public functions. As a first step The BJP should stop this practice. We have no objection in singing the National Anthem. We love it as much as any other Indian does. As the second step it should declare that it will not impose Common Civil Code on Indian Muslims until they themselves demand for it. Muslims also want the BJP to declare that in the case of Ayodhya it would abide by the court verdict and would not attempt to build temple at the disputed site through any other means. At the same time I can on behalf of Indian Muslims assure the BJP leaders that Muslims are ready to accept the court verdict in this matter. We also expect them to take steps to remove community’s educational backwardness. It is the urgent need. Change your pro-Hindu, anti Muslim image. As long as it persists Muslims will feel uncomfortable to vote for the BJP. We don’t want reservation like dalits and OBCs. But we need some concrete steps in order that you are serious to our problems.

Several Muslim religious leaders have opposed the BJP’s move to come closer to Muslims?

Those who have lost their influence in the Muslim community as well as those who have been cornered by the community are issuing such statements. They know only to issue fatwas that too are not obeyed by Muslims. In fact such leaders cannot enter into a sensible dialogue. We have to be pragmatic. Muslims should put forward their reasonable demands and once see how the BJP reacts. It is the duty of Muslim intellectuals to come forward and apprise the community of this opportunity.

Muslim community is at the crossroads. Congress during the last 50 years did nothing substantial for the community but exploited them as mere vote-bank. That is why the party seems to have no political future today. If the BJP does something substantial for them and assure that Muslims would not be exploited by it, they would definitely go for it.