VHP way out of line

Vice-president Hamid Ansari’s observations on the Muslim question have expectedly drawn the ire of the Hindutva brigade. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has asked him to either apologise or resign. This is way out of line, coming from a body that has been in the thick of disruptive communal controversies. A BJP spokesman has also tilted at the V-P.

Speaking at the 50th anniversary celebration of the All-India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat on Tuesday, Mr Ansari adverted to two parallel ideas. Both are notable and can be subjected to criticism from religio-political platforms from among the Hindus and the Muslims.

That alone points to the non-denominational spirit of the vice-president’s reflections, though it could be noted that those holding high constitutional office, such as the President or the vice-president, typically stick to issues of development and community support in general terms. The first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, had backed the idea of state support for the Somnath temple in Gujarat, and subsequently President Zail Singh had expressed anguish following Operation Bluestar.

Mr Ansari backed the idea of affirmative action for Muslims within the framework of “sab ka saath, sab ka vikas”, identifying education and empowerment as problems facing Muslims. But he also interrogated the failure of the Muslims “to communicate with the wider community”. The vice-president spoke of “the Indian experience of a large Muslim minority living in a secular polity, however imperfect” as possibly being a “model for others to emulate”. This aspect has been overlooked.