Sunday interview - ‘Our commitment to social harmony is rock solid’

Condemning the “unfortunate” Dadri lynching incident, minister of state for minority affairs MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI tells YOJNA GUSAI that said both the Bharatiya Janata Party and Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government’s commitment to maintaining social harmony and inclusive growth is rock solid. Attacking the “secular syndicate” and “certain elements” for giving communal colour to the Dadri incident, he said the minorities are safe and secure in the country.

Your party as well as the NDA government came under fire over the Dadri lynching and the beef controversy. What do you have to say?

It was an unfortunate incident which my party as well as the government have condemned. Certain elements gave it a communal colour and the so-called “secular syndicate”, which is waiting to attack the BJP no matter what the issue, started what they usually do. There are various issues, different types of sentiments over these issues but politics should never be a dominant factor. The country is progressing under the NDA, all sections of people are getting its benefits, but a section is not happy with it. They try to pull back the country to the caste and communal agenda so that attention is diverted from growth and development.

But Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, whose party is ruling Uttar Pradesh, said he knows the names of three people involved in the incident and many saw his comments as pointing a finger at the BJP.

Who is involved and who is not, it will not be ascertained by any political establishment. It will be done by a non-political and unbiased inquiry. Whoever is responsible, no matter which political party he is with, no matter how big a name, should be punished. But Mulayamji announcing that he knows who is involved is nothing but influencing the whole probe. While we have to see that communal harmony remains intact and there is no compromise with peace and security, there should also be a free and fair inquiry into this unfortunate incident.

While your political opponents questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “silence” over the issue, some artists have returned their awards in protest against the incident, indirectly questioning the Central government.

Unfortunately, some people have the habit of dictating things. Earlier, they used to dictate to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singhji. But it’s high time they realise that that government which used to run on dictation by them has been shunted out by the people. This is Narendra Modi’s government. He will speak when people ask him to speak.

Mr Modi has given a loud and clear message on the issue of communal harmony — he said it from Red Fort and thrice in Parliament. While campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections last year, he had laid out his party’s agenda when he had asked whether Hindus and Muslims want to fight against poverty, unemployment and corruption or with each other.

But he addressed the Dadri incident by referring to what President Pranab Mukherjee had said, and that too at an election rally.

A section will always have a problem whether Mr Modi speaks or he doesn’t. They are agitated if the Prime Minister doesn’t speak and remain agitated even if he speaks. They want that the Prime Minister should only speak what they want to hear, which is not possible. He (Modi) has already made it clear that he and his government is committed to the unity and peace and harmony of the country. Such incidents are a test for us, that we remain united and give no chance to those elements who want to damage and destroy the social fabric of our country.

You are talking about social harmony and a free and fair probe into the Dadri incident, but some of your own leaders made controversial statements. In fact, some of them are known for making controversial statements despite your party leadership reprimanding them.

You cannot judge a party by statements of some of its leaders. Some of the Congress leaders have also made controversial statements in the past and one of the Samajwadi Party ministers had made some poisonous statements over the Dadri incident but this “secular syndicate” never reacted. The BJP has more than 10 crore members and if some of its leaders say something it doesn’t mean it’s the party line. Our party line is what our president and top leadership say. Every party has some people who participate in some kind of competitive communalism but have never succeeded. People of this country are sensible enough to realise their intentions.

After the Dadri incident, many Muslim leaders and clerics met you and expressed concern. Did they also complain against your party leaders who made controversial statements?

Naturally they are worried. But their complaints were more with the state government than some of our leaders. They know that law and order is a state subject and feel that the state government did not do what was required at that time. The unfortunate incident happened over a rumour but the state machinery failed to control the situation. Our party and our government have made it clear that our commitment towards social harmony is rock solid and minorities are safe and secure in this country. But there is a section which gives communal colour to such incidents instead of diffusing tension.

Your opponents claim that the Dadri incident and the beef controversy were to influence the Bihar election and polarise votes.

It is absolutely absurd to even suggest that. Bihar election is a battle between development and the devil. Development, good governance, inclusive growth are against the devil of corruption, deteriorating law and order situation and overall failure. Bihar needs to get rid of this devil so that development can shape it and take it on the path of progress.

What do you have to say about the language used by political leaders, including your party chief Amit Shah and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, when attacking each other?

What did Amit Shah say? Fodder scam is known as “chara ghotala” and “chara chor” is not a term coined by us but a common parlance. What Mr Prasad said was not just indecent but derogatory. The language used by him (RJD chief) shows the nervousness as the Janata Dal(United)-RJD-Congress alliance has failed. They have realised that the alliance is not acceptable to the state.

Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav cited ‘2002’ to attack the Prime Minister.

He can remain in 2002, the country is living in 2015 and looking at 2016. He can go back in the past as far as he wants to but the country lives in the present. Narendra Modi-led NDA is working on fulfilling its promises, shaping country’s future and setting up targets for the future.

What is your prediction about the Bihar Assembly elections?

Not prediction but confidence that BJP-led NDA will get clear majority.

Do you think the “NaMo” magic is still there?

Absolutely. Narendra Modi’s popularity and acceptability is only increasing by the day, not just in our country but even internationally. He is one leader whose name is synonymous with development and good governance. He has a connect with the masses because they trust him and have faith that whatever he promises will be fulfilled.