By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
Muslims in West Bengal have remained backward since Independence. Their lot was not changed in the first 28 years of Congress rule in the state after Independence. Their condition just worsened in the next 34 years of Left rule. It’s time Muslims here had their own political party and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is the only party that can represent Muslims, says Shahanshah Jehangir, West Bengal president and national secretary of IUML while talking to TwoCircles.net in Kolkata.
28 years of Congress rule after Independence
The Congress government did not open any new madrasah, college or university for Muslims. Even after the division, three districts in West Bengal – Dinajpur, Maldah and Murshidabad remained Muslim-dominated but the Congress regime did nothing for the educational uplift of Muslims here. These districts have been totally neglected while other districts got new college and university.
IUML West Bengal president Shahanshah Jehangir at his office in Kolkata
There was time when Muslims were afraid to identify themselves as Muslims thanks to bad laws like Defence of India rule during the Congress rule. Scores of eminent patriotic and nationalist Muslim leaders were put behind bars after the war of 1965. Even towering Muslim leaders of Congress like Syed Badrudduja were put in jail.
In the administration, people who had come from East Bengal got powerful postings and they discriminated against the Muslims who had preferred to remain in West Bengal.
34 years of Left rule after Emergency
Muslims voted for Left hoping they will do something for the people for the poor as the communists had always showed empathy with the poor. But in the last 34 years they provided the worst ever elected government in the history of Bengal. Muslims were reduced to zero in every field – agriculture to economy to education. No new college or university was opened in Muslims areas.
Muslim vote shifted from Left
Sachar Committee report was an eye opener for the Muslims and general people. Media highlighted the findings of the Sachar report. Now Muslims are not happy with the Left regime. They have made up mind to get rid of it. They want change. I am sure the Left government will go out of power.
Will Muslim League benefit from the awakening in Muslims?
Muslim League is a grass-root party in West Bengal – its foundation was laid in the state. Now Muslims in West Bengal have realized that they should get their democratic right. They have to have their own voice and the voice is a Muslim political party. Indian Union Muslim League is the only political party that can represent the Muslims here.