Political Empowerment of Muslims Need of the Hour

JEDDAH, 19 May 2007 — Political and economic empowerment of Muslims in India is the need of the hour, says E. Abubacker, chairman of the Popular Front of India (PFI). He also called for the establishment of a powerful national party for Muslims to usher in a new era for the community and ensure their development at social, political and economic levels.
"Muslims in India have remained backward ever since the country's independence as upper caste Hindus have been creating obstacles in their way to progress. They did not give Muslims a chance to participate in politics," Abubacker, who is also the managing editor of Thejas daily, told Arab News. He said the country's Dalith community had made remarkable progress compared to Muslims and said the Sachar Commission report was its proof.

"The PFI aims at empowerment of Muslims at political, educational, economic and social levels," the chairman said. "We'll deal with the fascist forces ideologically to defeat their machinations aimed at blocking the progress of Muslims," he said and urged similar social organizations to merge with the PFI in order to build a strong political force.
Dismissing opponents' allegations, the PFI chief said his organization does not want a confrontation with the government. "We are working in a democratic manner to protect the rights of Muslims and ensure their security and progress," he explained. PFI had sent two delegates to a meeting called by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently to discuss the Sachar report.

The PFI was formed in November 2006 with the support of three organizations: Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD), National Development Front (NDF) in Kerala and Manitha Neethi Pasarai (MNP) in Tamil Nadu. "The three organizations have proved their commitment to the common cause of social justice," he said.

The PFI leader expressed his deep concern over the killing of Muslims by security forces in fake encounters. "This has been taking place in many parts of the country and Muslims feel insecure as a result of these incidents. In many areas such killings were carried out at the behest of the government," he said. He criticized the government and law-enforcement agencies for blaming and suspecting Muslims for every criminal incident in the country.

Abubacker emphasized the need for a major nationwide campaign with the support of secular and democratic forces and human rights organizations to ensure security of Muslims. The PFI is in the process of setting up a legal and defense committee to deal with security issues, he said, adding that it will include advocates of the Supreme Court.

He said many Muslim political and religious organizations in India have been working as an agency for the distribution of votes to other organizations such as Congress. "We have to change this pathetic situation. Political empowerment of Muslims is the need of the hour. Muslims in India are waiting for it," he said. "At present Muslim leaders are happy with the material benefit they get from other parties. They are not working to become a political force," he said.

Abubacker said his party would play its role in establishing an all-India Muslim political party. "At present the community is disappointed with their political and religious leadership and many are looking at the Popular Front with great hope," he pointed out.

He urged the government to work for improving the condition of Muslims as they constitute nearly 15 percent of the country's population. He criticized the Congress-led central government for doing nothing for the development of Muslims after the publication of the Sachar report. Most laws in the country are drafted in a way that could be easily rejected by the court, he said referring to the Supreme Court ruling against reservation of seats for Muslims and other backward communities at professional colleges.