By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Guwahati: Even as the BJP sweeps the 16th Lok Sabha polls in the country, a section of the people are still apprehensive that it might have a negative impact. They raise the question on the secularism of Narendra Modi and the saffron party with that now sees more involvement of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) more than ever. But they are still hopeful of better days with BJP winning as many as seven seats in Assam.
At the same time, it is a responsibility on Modi on how he keeps his words on his behaviour on Muslims. “It will largely depend on how Modi works for the Muslims. It is a must for him to win the confidence of the Muslims of this country as early as possible and that it vital in his overall success,” said former Assam minister Jainath Sarma.
The apprehension:
“The landmark victory of BJP is due to the misrule and corruption of the UPA. Active support of the corporate houses and communal propaganda by the RSS has also helped. Negligence of the minorities and denial of justice to the Muslims may have to face a difficult time. We are worried about the secular feature of the Indian constitution and secular fabric of the Indian society,” said Hafiz Ahmed, president of Char Sapori Sahitya Parishad, a literary body of Assam.
While, some express their views as a lesser margin of victory for BJP would have made it a better government. “I understand people need change. But such a victory which is huge tends to make people arrogant which can be dangerous for democracy. I think a lesser margin would have been healthier for the democracy,” said Shabnam Bilkish, a post graduate student in Guwahati.
The responsibility on Modi and his government will be very heavy with the kind of expectation of the people. “Modi was portrayed as a messiah of development and also acceptable to the minorities. Now it is his duty to stand up to the expectations and fulfill the dreams of people,” said Abdul Kalam Azad of Tata Institute of Social Science.
Hope:
Young activist Ashraful Hussain is hopeful that Modi will keep his words of not being anti-Muslim. “Even if the Modi win was not our priority we have to accept it as majority of the people have decided it. We would have liked someone with more secular attitude. I hope Modi will prove his words through his works that he is not against the Muslims or any other communities,” Ashraful said.
Besides, he is also hopeful that Modi will bring to an end to the illegal citizens issue as he had promised. “We want a country which is free from illegal foreigners. But while doing so he should be careful so that all the illegal citizens go out and the legal one stay in peace,” he said.
Few, however, feel that it’s time to move on without fear and hoping that Modi will bring the desired change.
“First of all I would like to congratulate Narendra Modi and his team for this victory. Keeping my religion aside, as a common citizen we hope for a peaceful and corruption free India. If Modi keeps with his words that politics is not ambition but a mission for a better India, then we will all live independently and strongly in our country. After the victory Modi says that the government is for people, time to live for the nation. I wish for a prosperous India where there will be no communal hatred and innocent killings. A dreamland for everybody,” said Masuma Khan, a young entrepreneur.