Vote Jihad: Maulana Siraj Khan appeals for votes in favour of Mahavikas Aghadi

A disastrous move to fuel divisiveness in Maharashtra?

As Maharashtra braces for its crucial Assembly elections on November 20, a troubling new development has surfaced, revealing the disturbing use of religion to sway voters. Maulana Siraj Khan, president of the Jamiat-e-Ulama Mumbai, has openly called for the Muslim community to vote in favor of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), using the pulpit to rally support for the alliance. This appeal is not only a violation of the secular fabric of Indian democracy but also signals a deeper, dangerous agenda of religious polarization aimed at dividing the electorate along communal lines.

This call for “vote jihad” comes amid allegations from BJP leaders that foreign funding has been channeled into Maharashtra to fund such divisive tactics. Claims have also surfaced that the All India Ulema Board sent a 17-point demand letter to the MVA, outlining a list of conditions for supporting the alliance in the upcoming elections. The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) reportedly agreed to these demands, which were made public on October 31 by the Board’s President, Nayab Ansari. This has further raised suspicions about the influence of religious groups in Maharashtra’s electoral politics.

What’s particularly alarming is the way Maulana Siraj Khan has used his platform to manipulate the Muslim vote. Speaking to the media, Khan expressed his preference for Uddhav Thackeray to be reinstated as Chief Minister, citing Thackeray’s leadership during the COVID-19 crisis. While acknowledging the difficulties faced by the state during the pandemic, Khan’s attempt to politicize the pandemic response is a transparent move to win favor for the MVA, presenting it as a “savior” for the Muslim community.

Khan’s assertion that Thackeray is a “good person” who respects every section of society is disingenuous. It conveniently ignores the reality that the MVA’s time in power, while marked by some positive developments, was also marred by a slew of controversies, including internal contradictions and compromises that exposed the fragility of the alliance. Khan’s elevation of Thackeray as a “secular” leader is also problematic, as it fails to address the very real concerns about the MVA’s appeal to specific religious groups for electoral gain.

In a letter addressed to the Muslim community, written in Urdu, Khan made a direct plea for Muslims to vote for secular candidates who would protect their interests. His focus on communal voting is a direct violation of the secular principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution, where elections should be decided on the basis of candidates’ performance, governance, and policies, not on religious affiliation. The letter’s appeal to unity and peace during the tenure of the MVA government is a thinly veiled attempt to paint the current government as hostile to Muslim interests, feeding into a narrative of victimhood and fear that is far removed from reality.

Most disturbingly, Khan responded to BJP’s allegations of “vote jihad” by attempting to redefine the term “jihad” in a context that benefits his political agenda. He claimed that “jihad” is about “religious and social service,” not terrorism, conveniently ignoring the way the term is being misused in the political discourse. Jihad, when invoked in the context of politics, can easily become a weapon for inciting religious sentiment and polarization. Khan’s invocation of this term to justify religiously motivated voting is a dangerous tactic that fuels divisions within the electorate, particularly in a state as diverse and vibrant as Maharashtra.

It’s crucial to recognize the potential consequences of such communal calls. By urging Muslims to vote for candidates based on religion, Maulana Khan is contributing to an atmosphere of fear and division. He paints a picture of Muslims being “targeted” in Maharashtra, which only serves to alienate communities from each other, creating a toxic political environment that encourages suspicion and distrust.

His message is clear: vote for MVA if you want protection, security, and a return to the so-called “peace and brotherhood” of the past. This kind of rhetoric not only undermines democracy but also puts the very idea of a unified society at risk.

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