The ongoing heat of the Assembly elections has failed to cut ice with the Muslim women voters in Madhya Pradesh who say they will judiciously exercise their vote. Most of these women seem to understand the political pulse and say their vote would not be influenced by any religious or family decree, or the assurances made by the parties.
On the contrary, the issues like women education, upliftment and security weigh heavy on their minds. Ruby Khan a fashion designing student demands right to survival, development, protection and growing participation of Muslim women in various spheres. Disillusioned with the quota-based politics, she says politicians should adopt a holistic approach rather than a communal one.
She further said, “It is difficult to understand the new found system of fatwa’s that are nothing but a mere misinterpretation of the holy Quran.” She urges Muslim women to strive for a qualitative life instead of the quantitative and do not fall prey of fatwa’s to vote for a person or political party. She is confident that Muslim votes will play a significant part in assembly election and adds that it is evident from the ways political parties are trying to woo the community. On her part, Ruby says she will vote for a candidate who is not corrupt.
Aaliya, a class 12 student of Cambridge Higher Secondary School and a first-time voter, is also against quota-based politics. “Quota only helps the white-collar and elite Muslims, where does a commoner goIJ” Her idea of empowerment is removal of fundamentalism and male domination in the Muslim society followed by education.
According to a survey, 88% first-time voters consult their family members to decide on the party they would vote for. A similar trend has been witnessed in the case of not-so-literate Muslim women. “I will vote for the party my family is voting for,” says Aisha Fazil a house maker. “Every single vote is important, hence all the votes should go at one place so that they could make some difference,” she added. It’s absolutely foolish on the part of some who take the polling day as just another holiday,” said Nuzhat Zaman, a professor in a government college.