By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan for New Age Islam
May 31, 2014
Q: Several Muslim organisations are demanding reservations for Muslims in government jobs. They claim that this is necessary for Muslims to progress. Do you think that if Muslims are not granted such reservations they can at all progress?
A: Muslims can progress only if they do not get reservations. If they get reservations, they will never progress.
Why do I say this?
I say this because this world is a world of competition. There is competition all around. And so, we have to inculcate the competitive spirit among Muslims. If Muslims get reservations, they will become paralyzed forever. Through reservations, a few Muslims may get some small jobs, but not the top jobs, because you can get to the top only through competing with others.
So, from the very outset, I have been against reservations for Muslims. I do not regard those who demand reservations for Muslims as well-wishers of Muslims.
Q: What do the Muslims of India expect from the new Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi?
A: Our country has a democratic system. One day somebody becomes the leader of the country, and the next day somebody else. This does not make any difference at all. The system remains the same. It is not affected by someone or the other coming to power. The only thing that changes is the person who occupies the seat of power.
I would say that Muslims should think of the nation’s interests, and not in terms of sectional or communal interests, otherwise they can never progress. Why? Because the nation’s progress will benefit everyone, and not just one community. So, Muslims should actively participate in the general progress of the nation, and not demand separate development schemes.
Q: Do you think Muslims fear that Narendra Modi or the Hindutva forces will not do anything for their progress?
A: In our country, nothing will happen that goes against the country’s Constitution. Narendra Modi’s election campaign focused only on two issues—development and infrastructure. He did not talk about Hindutva. Hindutva is only something that is used to scare Muslims. Mr. Modi talked only of development and infrastructure, and these are for everyone.
So, I think that Muslims should not have any fear at all. But if Muslims demand reservations, it is definitely something to fear, because then they won’t be able to enter the mainstream. Only if you can compete with others can you enter the mainstream.
Q: Do you think Narendra Modi might discriminate against Muslims?
A: See Gujarat, where Narendra Modi was Chief Minister—Muslims there are really prospering. There’s a lot of wrong propaganda that Muslims in Gujarat are not prospering.
In India, we are fortunate to have democracy and freedom. No individual can change the democratic system. It has been in existence for over 60 years. And so, it will prevail. There’s going to be no change in it.
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