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Amma in Tamil Nadu: Muslims “wait and watch”
Submitted by admin4 on 17 May 2011 - 4:25pm
By Md. Ali, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the third time yesterday. She has inducted one Muslim in her cabinet. He is N Mariam Pitchai. He has been given Environment and Pollution Control, Minorities Welfare including Wakf. Muslims across the state had a guarded response to the victory of Amma who is known for her pro-Brahmin and anti-Muslim stand, including support of Karseva which resulted in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.
TwoCircles.net talked to people representing a cross section of the Muslim society in Tamil Nadu and the most prominent reaction was “let’s wait and watch.” Although few also talked about a new era in Muslim politics in the state in the form of Prof. Jawahirulla-led MMK fighting elections on its own symbol and winning two seats while being in an alliance with the AIADMK.
AIADMK General Secretary, Ms J. Jayalalithaa, being sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, by the Tamil Nadu Governor, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, in Chennai on Monday. [Photo: thehindubusinessline.com]
What could have set the ominous tone better than the temple music pervading the swearing in ceremony? Temple music has been used the first time in these kinds of state functions. Normally Tamil music is used, informs Shafi Ahmad Ko, a senior journalist based in Chennai. Many people might consider it as symbolic for the future direction of Amma’s regime when it comes to Muslims and secularism. But Ahmad also cautions from any knee-jerk reaction from Muslims’ side as far as receiving Jayalalithaa’s government is concerned. “Let’s not exaggerate what Amma stands for.
Although she is known for her uncharitable steps towards Muslims but it’s better to wait and watch at least for now,” adds Ahmad.
While talking to TwoCircles.net, Shafi Ahmad points out that “Karunanidhi is seen as pro-Muslim while Amma is notorious for her anti-Muslims steps, for instance, Anti-Conversion Bill, which had to be withdrawn after huge hue and cry by the secular civil society.” But he also adds that “while few might be apprehensive of Amma’s regime but the general attitude of Muslims is, wait and watch.”
SM Pasha, a veteran observer of Muslim politics in Tamil Nadu, welcomes Amma becoming the CM. “I am sure Amma will be much better for the Muslims in the state than Karunanidhi. It’s high time Muslims should explore new options,” says Pasha.
Pasha also talks about the quality of Muslim MLA than the quantity. Calling the MLAs of the Muslim League as the “bootlickers of DMK” he hopes that something good will come out of the MMK’s alliance with AIADMK.”
Dr. Sattar, Tamil Nadu chief of All India Majlise Mushawarat, prefers to be calm and cool about Amma’s regime saying that Muslims should campaign and lobby for proportionate reservation for the community. “Reservation is the only thing which can help Muslims in the long run,” says Sattar.
A surgeon by profession, Dr. Sattar doesn’t favor Muslims going with any one particular party.
Instead he advocates that Muslims should be present in all the parties as it is happening these days. So that they can lobby for the interests of the community irrespective of whichever party is in power. It’s also important because Muslims in Tamil Nadu can’t be a united vote block because they are just 5-6 % and they are affiliated to either DMK or AIADMK.”
Sattar rubbishes the talk of MMK heralding new kind of Muslim politics in the state, saying that “people didn’t vote for MMK, they voted against Muslim League and the DMK.”
“With just two seats they won’t be able to do anything at all. It’s better for Muslims to side with mainstream regional parties like DMK and AIADMK,” Sattar concludes.
New Delhi: AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the third time yesterday. She has inducted one Muslim in her cabinet. He is N Mariam Pitchai. He has been given Environment and Pollution Control, Minorities Welfare including Wakf. Muslims across the state had a guarded response to the victory of Amma who is known for her pro-Brahmin and anti-Muslim stand, including support of Karseva which resulted in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.
TwoCircles.net talked to people representing a cross section of the Muslim society in Tamil Nadu and the most prominent reaction was “let’s wait and watch.” Although few also talked about a new era in Muslim politics in the state in the form of Prof. Jawahirulla-led MMK fighting elections on its own symbol and winning two seats while being in an alliance with the AIADMK.
AIADMK General Secretary, Ms J. Jayalalithaa, being sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, by the Tamil Nadu Governor, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, in Chennai on Monday. [Photo: thehindubusinessline.com]
What could have set the ominous tone better than the temple music pervading the swearing in ceremony? Temple music has been used the first time in these kinds of state functions. Normally Tamil music is used, informs Shafi Ahmad Ko, a senior journalist based in Chennai. Many people might consider it as symbolic for the future direction of Amma’s regime when it comes to Muslims and secularism. But Ahmad also cautions from any knee-jerk reaction from Muslims’ side as far as receiving Jayalalithaa’s government is concerned. “Let’s not exaggerate what Amma stands for.
Although she is known for her uncharitable steps towards Muslims but it’s better to wait and watch at least for now,” adds Ahmad.
While talking to TwoCircles.net, Shafi Ahmad points out that “Karunanidhi is seen as pro-Muslim while Amma is notorious for her anti-Muslims steps, for instance, Anti-Conversion Bill, which had to be withdrawn after huge hue and cry by the secular civil society.” But he also adds that “while few might be apprehensive of Amma’s regime but the general attitude of Muslims is, wait and watch.”
SM Pasha, a veteran observer of Muslim politics in Tamil Nadu, welcomes Amma becoming the CM. “I am sure Amma will be much better for the Muslims in the state than Karunanidhi. It’s high time Muslims should explore new options,” says Pasha.
Pasha also talks about the quality of Muslim MLA than the quantity. Calling the MLAs of the Muslim League as the “bootlickers of DMK” he hopes that something good will come out of the MMK’s alliance with AIADMK.”
Dr. Sattar, Tamil Nadu chief of All India Majlise Mushawarat, prefers to be calm and cool about Amma’s regime saying that Muslims should campaign and lobby for proportionate reservation for the community. “Reservation is the only thing which can help Muslims in the long run,” says Sattar.
A surgeon by profession, Dr. Sattar doesn’t favor Muslims going with any one particular party.
Instead he advocates that Muslims should be present in all the parties as it is happening these days. So that they can lobby for the interests of the community irrespective of whichever party is in power. It’s also important because Muslims in Tamil Nadu can’t be a united vote block because they are just 5-6 % and they are affiliated to either DMK or AIADMK.”
Sattar rubbishes the talk of MMK heralding new kind of Muslim politics in the state, saying that “people didn’t vote for MMK, they voted against Muslim League and the DMK.”
“With just two seats they won’t be able to do anything at all. It’s better for Muslims to side with mainstream regional parties like DMK and AIADMK,” Sattar concludes.
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