Gujarat has close to nine per cent Muslim population, but nearly 11 per cent of the State Police officials belong to this minority community. On an average, every police station in Gujarat has at least two Muslim cops.
As the BJP sets in motion a process to “neutralise” Muslims’ antipathy to the Opposition party ahead of the next lok Sabha election, it plans to showcase the success story of Muslims and their empowerment in BJP-ruled States into the proposed Vision Document for the minority community.
The document, expected to be released by the end of August, will bring out sector-by-sector comparison between conditions of Muslims in NDA-ruled States and others like Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Andhra Pradesh having high Muslim concentration.
“Our document will attempt to look beyond the stereotypes — like Wakf, Madrasa, graveyard and others that have remained in the centre stage of Muslim issues all these years. The community has long been hoodwinked on these subjects without any serious effort being actually made for social, economic and political empowerment of the community. Our Vision Document will address these issues,” a BJP leader, privy to the preparation of this paper, told The Pioneer.
Even the RSS leadership is understood to have made certain suggestions to “modify” the draft document. “No problem if you do not vote for us, but please do not fear us,” the RSS wants this message to be categorically stated in the vision document.“Top RSS leaders feel that a section of the minority community is not averse to voting for the BJP, but the majority opinion often prevail upon them. Some steps on our part add to their confusion. We will ask Muslim to vote for that party which work for empowerment of the community and not for those who scare them in the name of BJP,” the BJP leader said.
BJP’s campaign managers are aware about the ramifications of focus shifting from “issues to individuals” and it will strive to keep “good governance” central to its campaign theme.
The vision document for Muslims will “assure” the minority community that only “good governance and prudent politics” could improve their living condition. It will attempt to steer clear of controversial issues like ‘political reservation’ to Muslims, but lay special emphasis on generating education and employment opportunities for the minority community.