What did other parties do for minorities, asks BJP's Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

In an interview, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi talks about his party's stand towards minorities, the NRC draft, the Lok Sabha elections, and why he is optimistic about the future of the party

In Assam, millions of people have been excluded from the draft National Register of Citizens (NRC). What will the government do with those who cannot prove their Indian citizenship? What will be its impact on the party’s political future and elections?

The entire process of the draft NRC is being done in a sensitive and transparent manner. No country can ignore the population explosion of foreign nationals living illegally. In Assam, West Bengal or some other states, the literacy rate is lower in areas where there are many illegal aliens. Let this process be completed. The government is sensitive. If someone is actually a citizen, he will definitely be given a chance to present evidence. During its implementation, no inhuman or undemocratic approach will be adopted. 

Right now, the Congress, Trinamool Congress and other parties are trying to create panic among people and give this constitutional process a communal colour. It is being done under the supervision of the Supreme Court. It started from early 1970s and has nothing to do with upcoming elections. Everyone believed that it should reach a logical conclusion. But those who are clamouring to make it an issue can see a vote bank in these communities.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president of Bengal and the home minister of Rajasthan have said that their states also have illegal settlers. The demand for a similar NRC is increasing. Other states are now voicing it. Can such demands be conceded?

The population of illegal aliens cannot be ignored; something should be done to solve this problem.

Don’t you think the BJP is using the Citizenship (Amendment) bill as a tool to position itself as pro-Hindu? 

In the NRC draft, there are 1.6 million Hindus among excluded 4 million people. I think it should not be seen along the communal lines but in the interest of the country. the government’s priority is to see how the constitutional rights of all people are protected.

Will the triple talaq legislation solve the problems of poverty and livelihood of Muslim women? Don’t you think stringent jail term will prompt men to simply abandon their wives without divorcing them? Isn’t that situation worse for women?

We believe that triple talaq is a malpractice. There are those who argue that if the husband goes to jail in case of triple talaq, the wife will not even get alimony. My question to them is: Why commit a crime if you don’t want to go to jail? In the Lok Sabha, all the parties voted together against this practice except the Opposition. We believe that if the Congress has an argument or wants to amend the legislation, it should raise the matter in the House. Shouting on the roads will not work because the legislation is now the property of Parliament.

The law and order situation in BJP-ruled states is deteriorating. Despite an increase in the incidents of mobs lynching due to various reasons, why have  the state governments kept quiet?

The prime minister himself has said that those who are involved in lynching in the name of Gauraksha are criminals and have no connection with the party and the government. They are obstructing the government’s development agenda with a negative mentality. From time to time, Centre has issued advisories regarding this. Criminals have been arrested within 12 hours and sent to jail. The government is sending the message that strong legal action will be taken.

Hate speeches by BJP leaders and ministers seem to be creating an atmosphere against Muslims. Why is the party not taking any strong action against them?

We should pay attention to only what our prime minister, party president and party office bearers are saying. The BJP is a party of 12 to 13 million members. There are thousands of BJP legislators, MPs and elected representatives. We cannot put a gag on everyone’s mouth. The party gives them the message at the party level. Those who cross the Laxman Rekha; we take action against them.

For the first time in India’s history, the winning party in the general elections had no Muslim in Lok Sabha. Only four per cent Muslim MPs were elected in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections? Don’t you think questions concerning minorities are linked to their presence in Parliament?

I accept that the political representation of Muslims in Parliament and Legislative Assemblies has been reduced and for this, the BJP alone is not responsible. Those parties that have enjoyed power many times with the support of the Muslim voter — why didn’t they try to increase their representation in Parliament as well as state Legislatures?

I contested from Rampur and won the muslim-dominated constituency. I am glad that I was the first Muslim candidate of BJP who contested and was elected. Giving tickets does not tantamount to empowerment of Muslims. When the BJP gives a ticket, rather than thinking of a caste, creed and religion, its consideration is which candidate can win the election. 

BJP’s agenda is development without discrimination and with dignity. In this entire process, no one can say that there is a discrimination against the minorities or Muslims. We gave 30 million scholarships to girls of which 50 per cent are minorities. Earlier, the school dropout rate for girls was about 72-73 per cent, which has come down to 42 per cent. Where there was no infrastructure for education. We built schools, colleges, polytechnic institutions, skill development centres, etc. We tried to employ 700,000 to 850,000 minorities, including Muslims. But we did not advertise it because we believe that it is our responsibility. When our government came in to power, the participation of Muslims in the Central government jobs was up to 4.6 per cent, which has increased. We started the free coaching programme. We encouraged them to take part in various competitive exams. The previous governments used to say that they support Muslims. But discrimination against them was very high.

But there is a mistrust  among minorities for the BJP. Do you think that you can gain their trust in the next elections?

This is a stereotyped thinking about the BJP.  When Modi ji formed the government, talks started that relations with the Arab countries will end. Some said relations with European countries would also end. In the history of the country, Modi ji is more popular and accepted than Jawaharlal Nehru, not only in the Arab countries but in the whole world. From countries like United Arab Emirates and Iran, he went to both Palestine and Israel. In the last election, the BJP got 16 per cent of the Muslim community’s vote. Now I believe 40-45 per cent Muslims will vote for the BJP. I believe the Opposition is trying to create confusion in different sections of the minorities and convincing them that the BJP is not good for them. The Muslims have started saying that there is no discrimination in the Modi government.

According to the Kundu Committee, poverty among the Muslims is more than the average of the whole country. Talk about the income, expenditure and consumption by Muslims:  they are third from the bottom after the dalits and tribals. What’s your take?

I agree that the per capita income of Muslims is low but this is restricted to some areas. In some places, the situation has improved. The UPA government had put the report of the Sachar Committee and the Kundu Committee in the freezer. In these four years, we established 16 degree colleges in neglected minority areas. 2,019 schools, 1,141 girls hostels, 170 ITIs, 48 polytechnic institutes have been opened. We provided sheds and talent hubs in markets for minorities. If you look at the record of the Mudra scheme, 30 per cent of its beneficiaries are minorities. The government schemes are made for the poor. We don’t say that this is for Mohammed Rashid and this is for Mahesh. But we cannot say that we have given justice to all minorities, who have been cheated for 70 years.

At the height of the Narendra Modi wave in 2014, you didn’t contest elections. From where will you contest the 2019 elections, Rampur or Allahabad ?

In 2014, I was given the charge of election management. If the party orders me then I will definitely contest.

Will the BJP give more seats to the minorities compared to previous elections?

Anyone who is eligible and meets the criteria of being a candidate will be considered, whether he is a Muslim or from any other community. We believe that the declining number of minorities in the Assembly and Parliament is the result of negative secular politics. Those who claimed to be messiahs of the Muslims are brushing the community off. The BJP will continue to stick to its nationalist line, there will be no change in it. 

Minorities should make an assessment of what other party did for them for 70 years; and what steps have been taken for their education and employment during the last four years.