K T JALEEL, former Kerala higher education minister, highlighted the importance of fighting communal ghettoisation and polarisation. “We should not allow India to be turned into a country like Pakistan. Secularism is India’s oxygen. Without secularism India ceases to exist,” he asserted.  “Our nation is a secular country. India is inclusive of everyone. This tradition of secularism is what safeguards the Indian republic. India cannot progress if it segregates a community,” he added.  He was speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day “Muslim Convention” organised by CPI(M) Karnataka on May 31  at Mangaluru Town Hall to packed audiences.

“Our country has always been inclusive. Our country has never rejected any religion…Narendra Modi's government has been ignoring a community ever since it came to power. India cannot progress by snatching any community's rights,” he opined. “All religions are different; however, all religions have the same beliefs. Narendra Modi's government is repressive and dangerous. We should defeat it. If we could defeat the British who ruled for hundreds of years, we can definitely defeat the Modi government that’s been ruling us for eight years.” he said.

 “What one eats or wears should be their own prerogative. Why should the State intervene in these choices?” said Jaleel. “Earlier, people of all faiths used to congregate during Utsavs and Urus festivities.  India is unique in that respect. But now, there’s politics of exclusion from such public events. What will happen to the world if Europe and Middle-Eastern countries follow the same model of exclusion?” he asked.

 “CPI(M) fights against all forms of communalism. CPI(M) respects all religions…Hindus and Muslims are not polarised in Kerala. There are no separate Hindu streets and Muslim streets. We have to move away from such polarisation and ghettoiSation.  Muslim communalism cannot be the answer to Hindu communalism.” he added.

CONVENTION IS NOT OF, BUT ABOUT MUSLIMS

Introducing themes of the ‘Muslim convention’ – Secularism, Empowerment and Progress – Muneer Katipalla, state committee member of CPI(M) Karnataka, exhorted the Muslim community to join secular forces. “Muslims are being targeted all over the country. The entire system has turned on Muslims in the last two years especially. CPI(M) which stands by the toilers and the oppressed masses, stands by Muslims who are facing relentless assaults,” he said.   He clarified that this convention is not of Muslims, but about Muslims and it is not aimed at pursuing ‘identity politics’ for electoral gains. The aim of this convention is to unite the Muslim community with secular forces,” observed Katipalla.

CPI(M) state secretary, U Basavaraju condemned the attack on farmer leader Rakesh Tikait and Yaduvir Singh in Bengaluru. “Hijab row and communal polarisation is also a way this government is distracting issues faced by farmers and workers and its own misdeeds in helping corporates,” he said.

The chief guest at the convention, Dalit Sangarsha Samiti (Ambedkar Vada) Mavalli and senior writer, K Shareefa also spoke. Making the presidential remarks, CPI(M) state secretariat member Syed Mujib said there was a concerted effort to turn Muslims into second class citizens. “Provoking Muslim hatred has become a way of winning elections. But our tradition, from Pampa to Kuvempu to Gopala Krishna Adiga, illustrates our tradition of fighting against hate and discrimination,” he noted.

Chandra Poojary, former professor of Hampi University and CPI(M) Karnataka state secretariat member, K Prakash spoke in the session on ‘Karnataka as Laboratory of Communalism’. Muneer Katipalla presided over the session. While coastal districts continue to serve as ‘laboratory’, Sangh Parivar is trying to extend it to the whole state starting with the hijab issue. It is also encouraged by UP's success and is also implementing the ‘UP model’. However, it may not meet with similar success, opined Poojary. Prakash explained how Sangh Parivar in its experiments has developed methods to propagate Hindutva ideology amongst the masses and make it their ‘common sense’. The entire edifice of Hindutva is built on myths and lies and invented history of the ancient ‘Hindu golden age’ and its destruction by Muslims and other foreign invaders. It blames all present ills in society also on them and calls for building ‘Hindu Rashtra’ based on a monolithic Hindu identity thereby diverting attention away from disastrous pro-corporate policies, he added.

B M Hanif, a renowned journalist and B Peer Bhasha, a social activist spoke in the session on ‘State of Karnataka Muslims’. CPI(M) Karnataka state secretariat member, K Neela presided over the session.