By Mohd. Ismail Khan, TwoCircles.net,
Rameshwaram: In Pamban town of Rameshwaram Island near Sri Lankan waters the major political issue for locals are fishermen arrests, but local Muslims at Juma Masjid have an eye on Delhi.
Muslims forms 6% of population in Tamil Nadu but are far vigorous in politics than their more numerical counterparts in other states. At majority of events Tamil Muslims voting pattern were same as the general trend, but this elections even with an ‘Amma wave’ Muslims are looking forward to the setting sun of ‘Kalaignar’.
Juma Mosque
After Zohar prayer this correspondent sat with two middle aged gentlemen who are willing to speak on local issues. As the noise of politics echoed in tin sheeted courtyard others including some youngsters also joined in forming a circle around to present their thoughts.
Ramnathapuram district in which Rameshwaram Island comes under has the highest concentration of Muslim population in the state, in its parliamentary seat community form 25% of electorate. In the last assembly election Muslims voted overwhelmingly for AIADMK alliance, but this time around situation has changed dramatically.
Everyone present in discussion said this time they will vote for DMK, when asked why? Naine Mohammed, a fish trader replied, “Vote to DMK is a vote against (Narendra) Modi”.
Mosque as seen from Pamban bridge
He explained further, “It is open secret for everyone in Tamil Nadu that Jayalalitha will join NDA after elections so vote to AIADMK is a vote for Modi.” Everyone sitting nodded their heads in agreement.
To boost the argument he gave reference to Cho Ramaswamy editor of Tuglak magazine and close confidant of Jayalalitha who recently said that after elections joining BJP led alliance is an open option.
“She is not even attacking BJP properly forget about questioning Modi’s ‘Gujarat model’,” said Haseeb Rehman a gulf returnee who knows little Urdu.
A house infront of Mosque.
“On other hand look at Stalin or Karunanidhi”, he says adding, “They are quoting facts from different reports to show to public how Gujarat is under developed and far behind from Tamil Nadu on many scales. They are not just criticizing BJP led alliance but also targeting Modi.”
If opposing Modi is the only criterion for vote then why not Congress? Faces suddenly changed in disgust, Congress they say will never be an option. Thick bearded Ghouse Mohiuddin in his early 20’s is not attracted towards Rahul Gandhi’s youth for change platform. He gave two reasons, 1) They are a diminishing force at the center 2) Congress and BJP are the two sides of same coin.
When asked to explain his accusation on Congress, Ghouse said, “Congress played a major role for the rise of Modi at national stage. Had they been more aggressive in attacking Modi as Arvind Kejriwal is doing, Modi wouldn’t have got this kind of popularity.”
“Tell him about the Congress candidate,” asks an old man with thick glasses, ‘oh yes’ Ghouse continued, “Our local Congress candidate Thirunavukkarasar in 2009 contested on BJP ticket and stirred communal tensions on Ram sethu issue. He even called to demolish this mosque we are sitting in, as it is first thing one would see while entering island from Pamban Bridge. He said people crossing Pamban Bridge should first see Ram temple in Rameshwaram.”
Mustafa Kamal a local stirs in passion, “After all this how can we call Congress non-communal?”
But when asked that Karunanidhi in past has aligned with NDA and even could do the same in wake of many cases pending against his family members, to which Mustafa replied, “He has promised and even gave it in writing to Muslim league and MMK that at no cost he will go along with NDA.”
Mohammed Jawahar local DMK councilor who was sitting quite observing the discussion jumped in. “My party will never do such a betrayal, in 1999 circumstances were different.”
“I myself will resign if Karunanidhi goes along with Modi,” said Jawahar with eyes wide open, an old man sitting beside him wearing a Jinnah cap pats his back with a smile.
Modi’s rainbow alliance in the state with host of regional parties didn’t break any ice with Tamil Muslims and they don’t see it as a symbol of acceptability of Modi in Tamil society. “It’s a joker’s alliance, Vaiko’s Tamil nationalism and Modi’s Hindutva Nationalism opposes each other, still they are partners. Its base on faulty calculations at center of some fringe regional parties, it’s in no way acceptability of BJP’s Hindutva nationalism in Tamil Nadu,” said Abdullah another youngster.
Rameshwaram Island
Interestingly from Ramanathapuram constituency both DMK and AIADMK has fielded Muslim candidates. Mohammed Jaleel an education baron from Madurai is a DMK candidate and Anwar Raja former Labor minister is AIADMK candidate.
Whereas Kuppuramu VHP state secretary and chief of Ramasethu security wing is BJP’s candidate supported by host of other regional parties.
AIADMK Muslim candidate didn’t find any backing as participants in the discussion were overwhelmingly supported DMK candidate Jaleel. Mastan Malakayam a construction worker sums up the logic, “Even if DMK candidate had been a non-Muslim we would have supported him, because in AIADMK Amma calls all the shots. Anwar Raja will bow down his head to Amma even if she supports Modi.”
Even though they overwhelmingly supported Jaleel but doesn’t have any high opinion for this DMK candidate who is also an ‘outsider’, “Muslims here lagging behind in modern education. Jaleel is running engineering colleges but he will never give free education to poor Muslims, where as Christian missionary colleges give to their community poor. We know he will not do any good to community even if get elected. It is only because of DMK we will vote for him.” Mastan tells with a sigh twisting his lips.
When asked in return of this polarized voting in favor of Jaleel did community made some demands like promotion of education or jobs, Habeeb Rehman charged up, “What demands it’s not a election for making demands, our only priority is to defeat Modi. That killer (and other abuses) should not sit in Delhi at any cost.”
Turning discussion towards Muslim political parties created heated arguments making some passerby’s to comment reminding us it’s a mosque. Currently Ramnatahpuram assembly seat is represented by Jawaharullah chief of Manithenaya Makkal Katchi a political wing of Tamil Nadu Muslim Munetra Kazagham.
Mere reference to their sitting MLA gives rise to wired comments. “Last time I voted for Jawaharullah only because of his name and beard. He came in the same mosque and hugged us asking for votes. It’s been three years and he hasn’t visited a single time to our area.”
Another person cuts in and adds, “He promised a proper drainage line for the town, but still not a single rupee is sanctioned by our MLA.”
“I have seen him on TV; sometimes he speaks in the assembly but often sits in the back.” To which man from behind pass the comment, “Because he is scared of Jayalalitha seeing him sitting with DMK,” everyone burst in laughter.
Pamban bridge
Old man with cane stick tries to bring order back in Mosque by hitting it on the floor, ‘to be specific’ he said, “Next time we will not fall into this trap of voting for a ‘Muslim’ party.”
The breakaway faction of TNMMK, Tamil Nadu Towheed Jamath earned the most wraths during the discussion. TNTJ announced support to AIADMK in return of increase in 3.5% reservation for Muslims. “Jainul Abideen (TNTJ chief) has gone crazy. His only aim now a day seems to do opposite of whatever Jawaharullah is doing, even at the cost of community.”
Mr. Habeeb said, “What will be the use of increase in reservation when Modi sitting at center will do everything to scrap off the existing 3.5%.” TNTJ in its ego fight with TNMMK is acting amateur was the common feeling.
Sitting in mosque all of them boost about legacy of Periyar (founder of Dravidian movement and an atheist). “This state has a history of opposing Hindutva fascism. We are sure this time also Tamil Nadu will lead whole India in opposing Modi,” Abdullah said while others looked at each other some bow their heads in silence unsure of the outcome.