Secularism Issue of Three-Fourth Hindus also, Not just Muslims: Manoj Jha

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Mumtaz Alam, IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, March 28: “Why has fight for Secularism been restricted to Muslims? Secularism is not an issue of Muslims only. Secularism is the issue of three-fourth Hindus of this country,” said Prof. Manoj Jha, National Spokesperson of Bihar’s ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal while speaking at an event titled India Today and Tomorrow here on Saturday.

“Hindus had chosen Secularism for this country. But today, media has made Secularism equal to Muslims,” he said. He was apparently referring to the Constituent Assembly which prepared the Constitution of India. In the 299-Member Constituent Assembly, 255 Members (85%) were Hindus.

Prof. Jha, who also teaches at Delhi University, said Secularism was separated from Social Justice since the 1980s. But people will have to fight for the two together.

“After 1980s, people separated Secularism and Social Justice. We’ll fight for Secularism under chadar of Social Justice. We won’t fight for the two separately,” he said.

“Who can ignore Social Justice? Govt. data shows 52% people are daily wagers. Which castes do they belong to? No one is asking about it. 51% people are homeless. Obviously, they are not Brahmins, Thakurs or Bhumihars. There may be just one or two from these upper castes. Why is this happening? We have turned the whole fight into a show. We will have to end this show,” said Prof. Jha.

“Farmers are committing suicide. Unemployment is rampant. Thousands of land disputes remain unresolved. Inflation is all-time high. But no one is talking about these issues. Instead, they are talking about Anti-Romeo Squad. If a society ignores basic issues, be sure it is sick.”

He cautioned that today’s attack on Muslims won’t stop with them and attackers will find new preys.

“Hitler had attacked democrats first, not Jews. But all came under the attack later…The current attack on Muslims won’t stop there. If one has got habitual sucker for blood, he won’t stop after killing one. He won’t become vegetarian after sucking one’s blood. He would need new blood. People will have to be made aware about this danger,” said Prof. Jha.

Commenting on the communal polarization in the recent UP Assembly elections, he said:

“Disenfranchisement hadn’t occurred even at the time of Partition. It has happened today but it’s not becoming news. BJP alone is not responsible for it. We all have a share in this sin. I would not have any problem with BJP’s victory in UP. I’m more worried as I smell Partition in this victory. We had not got divided so much even in 1947.”

More than victory in election, stress should be on winning over ideas, he said.

“We’ve lost elections in UP today. But we may win elections tomorrow. We may win elections in Gujarat also. Never celebrate election victory. Nor mourn election defeat. Strive to win on ideas,” said Pro. Jha.

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