Mulayam’s apology to Muslims

By Hisam Siddiqui

Finally Samajwadi party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has realized his follies and apologized to the Muslims as well as the nation for aligning with the demolisher of the historical Babri Masjid, Kalyan Singh. Though the apology has come after 14 month of his making friendship with the communal leader, yet the move is enough to steer the Uttar Pradesh politics. Mulayam committed a historical blunder during the last Lok Sabah elections when he aligned with people like kalayan Singh despite stiff resistance from within the party.

In his letter of apology, he has also promised not to make any friendship with the any one who was directly or indirectly involved in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in the future. However he has reiterated in the letter that he had make friend with such elements to keep communal forces out of power in at the centre.

Mulayam’s apology has created flutter in Uttar Pradesh politics. The move has shaken Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party as well as Bhartiya Janata Party in the state. The Peace Party, which has been created in the state at the behest of Hindu Mahasabha and the RSS to disintegrate Muslim votes has also feeling the heat of Mulayam’s apology. 

Statements against Mulayam have been coming from different quarters. Mayawati in her statement against the Mulayam has used the RSS terminology ‘disputed structure’ in place of Babari Masjid. If the chief mister herself see it as disputed structure then the government intention is very much clear. Mulayam Singh and the congress leader at least use the term Babri Masjid without any remorse.

There are reasons for every political party to be jolted by the Mulayam’s latest political move. BJP is tense because it has planned to catch those Muslims who have been disenchanted by the politics SP BSP and the Congress through Peace Party. For some time it has been planning to use Peace Party for the purpose. But it the strategy seems to have proved futile. BJP strategy is that the Muslims of the country particularly of UP never get united in favour of single party in fight against the BJP. This could make their way easy both in UP and at the national level. That is why the Sangh Parivar with the help of Hindu Mahasabha leader Adityanath enticed Dr. Ayub to form Peace Party and it also helped in formation of Ulema council with a group of disgruntled Moulvis. Ulema Council has already rewarded the Sangh parivar in the last Lok Sabha elections.  For the first time it make BJP to send its candidate to Lok Sabha from Azamgarh. Ulema Council has put its candidate in the elections much to the help of. Peace party has also taken away some vote of Muslims but it has not yet been able to help BJP substantially.             

Mulayam’s apology is totally a political move. He had all ready realized his folly of aligning with Kalayn Singh in the Lok Sabha elations itself. Not a single Muslim candidate was able get elected on Sp ticket in Lok Sabha. The assembly election is less than two year in Uttar Pradesh and every other political party want to get rid of Mayawati regime. For ousting Mayawati it is necessary that Mulayam’s Samajwadi party, Congress party, Rashtriya Lok Dal and BJP get strengthened. Mulayam need more and more Muslims support to regain his lost strength in the state.

Even if he has apologized for political reason, what is wrong in it? There are parties which resorted to violence, take innocent lives for political gain. Mulayam has chosen a Gandhiyan way and ask for forgiveness, what is wrong in it? Mulayam trade, business and industry are politics and he has every right to make way for profit in the profession. There is no other better way in the world than asking for forgiveness. The behavior of Mulayam’s erstwhile friend Azam khan is not like a Muslim.

Those Ulema and Jamat are issuing statements against Mulayam Singh have their own political agenda and have no care for the community. It is religious duty of a Muslim to pardon those who apologies for their past mistakes. If there is question of his intention, it is only Mulayam Singh can say what is in his mind. Voting for Mulayam Singh would depend on the political situation of that time but now it is religious duty a Muslim to forgive those who ask for forgiveness. If  he repeats his mistake and ask for apology then he must not be pardoned.

(Writer is a senior journalist and editor of weekly Jadeed Markaz)