BJP Realises that they Cannot Ignore the Muslim Vote – Newsline

And with the Ayodhya and Kashmir issues on the boil – both seen intrinsically as much ideological issues as political ones – a Muslim from Uttar Pradesh who strikes a fine balance between his religious identity and his country with dexterity, and one who has the benefit of both, makes for good audio-visual interview material.

“India’s secularism is extremely strong. I Have lived in this country all my life. I have interacted with the people of the country …after all look at me and my constituency. Muslims constitute only 20 per cent of its population; the remainder are Hindus, but they voted for me.”

By Saira Irshad Khan

Source: Newsline February 2001

FAULTLINES EXPOSED 

·         Newsline interviewed Saleem Shervani an Indian member of the Parliament, incidentally a Muslim

 

·         Why should Newsline be interested in an Indian politician? A patriotic Pakistani newsman would like to see Shervani talk bad of India as the Indian journalists make Pakistanis say bad things about their country. But no, here the intention was to make India look good in the eyes of the Pakistanis – a project that the Newsline has taken upon itself.

 

·         Besides, it is part of Pakistan-merge-with-India campaign to talk positively about Indian secularism. It suits all the more if an Indian Muslim praises India…