SP MP who spoke on Gyanvapi: ‘Current politics against Muslims … Silsila of making claims on religious places should stop’

You have called the Supreme Court decision on Ayodhya a verdict, and not justice. Why do you say so?

The Supreme Court accepted that whatever happened on December 6, 1992, was a crime. It also accepted that no evidence of a temple was found under the (Babri) mosque. It then went on to resolve the matter between the two communities by awarding the disputed land to the Hindus, even when no proof of a temple was found and a crime was seen to have been committed there.

There was tension between the two communities for hundreds of years because of the issue. We all respect the Supreme Court. Everyone had assured beforehand that they would accept whatever decision it took. Hence, that matter got resolved so easily. That’s why I said that it was a verdict, but that justice was not done.

The Indian Union Muslim League Kerala chief recently called the Ram Temple and the mosque proposed nearby to resolve the dispute as ‘symbols of secularism’, and said there was no need to protest against the temple.

The Ram Temple is now built. Muslims too respect Ramchandraji. I also do. But using Ramchandra ji for petty benefits is against decorum. The politics of using religion to achieve certain goals is not good for the nation and future generations.

Recently, puja began in the cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque, while petitions are pending seeking an ASI survey of the disputed Shahi Idgah in Mathura. How do you view these?

There is the Places of Worship Act, 1991. Its provision to ensure status quo in religious places (barring Babri dispute) was a big relief. We are hopeful that the court will follow the law. Certainly, the court makes the decision based on laws. But kattarpanthis (hardliners) are making claims on Gyanvapi, after that Mathura, then (they could move on to) Taj Mahal, Delhi’s Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar and 3,000 other mosques. That is an endless agenda. Is it sending a good message for the country? We can guess where the country is headed. We are hopeful that courts will take decisions that maintain communal harmony.

I believe senior BJP leaders like Modiji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi), Rajnath Singh (Defence Minister), Nitin Gadkari (Road, Transport and Highways Minister), etc, are also concerned about communal harmony. But they have got trapped in a political bhanvar (whirlwind) and are unable to come out of that. Leaders across parties in the country are well-wishers of the country… But people are using easy methods of communalising politics, taking support of religious sentiments to move ahead.

If social harmony is disturbed by making claims on 3,000 mosques, will that be in the interest of the country or of communal harmony? Till when shall one community musalsal (continuously) tolerate? I believe, this silsila (affair) of making claims on religious places should stop. We should be allowed to live with love and harmony.

I am a surgeon. Even in this prevailing atmosphere, I see Hindus donating blood to save the lives of Muslims and vice-versa. Our harmony has not been disturbed as of now and we trust each other. But doubts have entered minds and the distance is increasing.

You also said in your speech that many things about the Narendra Modi government are appreciable.

The G20 summit increased the glory of the country. Our athletes won 100 medals for the first time in the Asian Games. Khelo India was a good scheme. We know positive politics. Chandrayaan’s success is our glory. Which is good, that is appreciable.

Uttarakhand has just passed a Uniform Civil Code law. Do you see it as precursor to a nationwide UCC?

These are political stunts. What is the need for a UCC? Muslims, Hindus, tribals are governed by their own laws. The country has been running smoothly for the past 76 years. There is no personal law of Muslims that causes problems to others. For the past 1,450 years, we (Muslims) have given women their right to ancestral property. We cannot avoid the Quran. If I ask Hindu brothers to bury their dead instead of burning them, will they accept? No one has any problem with the rituals of others… If, with the consent of the first wife, in a situation that she has serious illness or she is unable to give birth, we get into a second marriage, why should others have problems with that? If the wife is corrupt and we divorce her to marry another woman, why is there any objection? Also, the actual percentage of second marriages in Muslims is low.

You have legalised live-in relationships. So, a person can live with two, four or six partners, that is legal. You only object if somebody is getting married a second time.

If the BJP government legislates UCC in UP, what will you do as an SP MP?

I am against it. The SP will protest. Jaise Hindu bandhe hue hain apne kanoonon se, hum bhi apne kanoon se bandhe hue hain (Just like Hindus are bound by their laws, we too are bound by our laws). We take the Quran as the last word. We will oppose every law that is against the Quran. The instant triple talaq law was accepted… but it is also being misused.

Opposition parties are largely choosing silent on the issues of minorities now. Why?

The current politics is against Muslims. The target are Muslims. In the BJP, one can become a tall party leader according to how he tortures Muslims… Communalism is at its peak. In this situation, if they (the Opposition) speak about rights and justice, they fear non-Muslim voters will get upset.

You are an MP from western UP, where the SP has left seven seats for the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). Now, there is speculation that the RLD is going to go with the NDA. Is there any disturbance within the alliance?

The RLD is ready to contest on seven seats, but there are rumours that the BJP is wooing the party by assuring four seats. It is well-known that the BJP woos others this way. As far as the Congress is concerned, the alliance is almost finalised. Seat-sharing will also be finalised soon. Top leaders of both parties are in favour of the alliance. All is well in the alliance.