Author: Tapan Das
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: April 23, 2004
URL: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/6996_705494,0016005500010002.htm
Both the Congress and the Left Front
have reportedly begun courting the outlawed Student Islamic Movement of
India (SIMI) in a bid to win over the Muslim votebank.
But a section of SIMI supporters
aren't apparently impressed, and have instead decided to back the recently
floated Indian National League. The INL is contesting six seats with SIMI's
support: Jangipur, Murshidabad, Diamond Harbour, Basirhat, Jadavpur and
Kolkata North-West. Incidentally, its candidate for Basirhat, Hasan Saidullah
Ashrafi, was a senior SIMI leader.
Courtesy some 'well-wishers', the
Congress and the Left Front have held a few secret parleys with SIMI over
the last fortnight. One such meeting took place last week at the south
Kolkata residence of a prominent Congress leader.
Muslims, who comprise about 25 per
cent of the state's electorate, have generally voted for the Left in the
last 25 years. There are some 70 Assembly constituencies (roughly 10 Lok
Sabha seats) in the state where the minority community can tilt the scales.
However, despite their proclaimed
secular credentials, both the Congress and the Left Front - the CPI(M)
in particular - had of late fell foul of Muslims by casting aspersions
on the role of madrasas and cracking down on SIMI for its alleged anti-national
activities. The state government in 2001 banned SIMI following the Centre's
directive. Though dozens of SIMI activists have recently been released
from jails on court orders, many are still languishing behind bars.
The Left is facing a backlash from
not only the minority community but also some its allies, who are frowning
upon the crackdown on SIMI. Relief Minister Hafiz Alam Sairani of the Forward
Bloc openly accused the state police of slapping false charges on Muslim
youths and arresting them. The CPI, too, kicked up a row when one of its
members in Murshidabad was charged with active involvement with SIMI.
To gain lost ground, Left and Congress
leaders are vying to mend fences with the minority community, vowing unstinted
support for its welfare. The state government has even begun offering them
sops like cash grants, sewing machines, soft loans, free educational and
hostel facilities and subsidised dwelling units.
