On the question of holding talks with the BJP, the Committee decided to open dialogue with them provided they explain their viewpoint on the following:
1. Reconstruction of Babari Masjid.
2. Acceptance of the guarantees to religious, linguistic minorities as provided in the Indian Constitution.
3. Assurance to preserve the Muslim Personal Law.
4. Release of TADA detenus.
Jawed Habeeb _________ Mohd. Qamar Kazmi Mohd. Mian Mazhari Yasin Akhtar Misbahi Ibn-e-Hasan.
Shahabuddin's Reaction, 2 January, 1998
"The newly formed Muslim Ittehad Committee which is the latest brain-child of the prolific Javed
Habeeb, formerly a Member/Spokesman of the All India Babari Masjid Action Committee and presently the self-appointed Convener of the Qaumi Mushawarat Committee is reported to have decided on 29.12.1997 to hold `open dialogue' with the BJP, provided they explain their viewpoint on:
1. Reconstruction of Babari Masjid
2. Acceptance of guarantees to religious, linguistic minorities as provided in the Constitution.
3. Assurance to preserve the Muslim Personal Law
4. Release of TADA detenus.
The Muslim community has long been well aware of the viewpoint of the BJP - which is the political front of the RSS - on all matters of Muslim concern, not to speak of the all important question of its survival in India as a religious community.
In formulating the questions the Committee has totally ignored the ideology and the track record of the Sangh Parivar and of the BJP. Moreover, the examiner has decided in advance to grant full marks to the examinee and has, therefore, set such question that the examinee may not face any difficulty in passing a fake test! The BJP may well say that they have always been prepared to rebuild the Babari Masjid outside the dharmic limits of Ayodhya. The real question is: is it prepared to restore the original site of the Babari Masjid to the Muslim community for its reconstruction?
The BJP of course swears by the Constitution, otherwise it will not be registered as a political party. It, however, reservese the right to amend it or to interpret it. Today it can easily reply to the second question: 'Yes', by all means. The real question is how the BJP interprets minorities rights e.g. Does Article 30 apply only to religious institutions? Do Muslims, as a community, benefit from Articles 15(4) and 16(4)? Can the state acquire a Wakf property which is per se religious, like a Masjid? The BJP will say: We have no immediate plan to abolish Muslim Personal Law. But will it commit itself to no change in Muslim personal law except at the request of the Muslim community.
And finally on the release of TADA detenus, the BJP would innocently reply that we are not opposed but it is upto the courts. It should be asked whether it is in favour of all on-going cases under TADA being withdrawn, with prosecution, if necessary, under the IPC?
The real problem is that the BJP believes in the ideology and philosophy of Hindutva whose objective is ultimate Hinduisation of the Muslims and other religious minorities under the banner of Cultural Nationalism or One Nation, One Culture'. While the whole world is moving towards multi-culturalism, the BJP confuses unity with uniformity and integration with assimilation, equates Nationalism with Hinduism and Indian Culture with Hindu Culture. Indeed it rejects Hindustaniyat or Bharatiyata. The Muslim Ittehad Committee's "open dialogue" is no more than a deceitful smoke-screen for a basement bargain' with the BJP in the personal interest of its members. In opening a dialogue, the Committee is ab initio gifting to the B.IP what it lacks - respectability in the eyes of the Muslims whose votes it so ardently needs to reach Delhi.
The Committee represents no one but its rootless members and the organisations under its umbrella have no existence except on paper or carry any credibility in the community. The Muslim community should, and shall indeed, reject these agents of the BIP masquerading under the banner of Muslim Ittehad Committee with the contempt they deserve.
