RIYADH, 12 December 2004 — A visiting Indian parliamentarian blasted his country’s two leading political parties alleging that they failed to serve the minority interests, especially the Muslim community in the subcontinent.
Amar Singh, member of the Rajya Sabha and general secretary of Samajwadi Party, addressing the alumni of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) at Riyadh Palace Hotel on Friday said the ruling Congress and the BJP were two sides of the same coin that failed to look after Muslim interests in the country.
More than 1,000 guests attended the function, including families of AMU alumni, Indian diplomats and special guests, which marked the 187th birthday of AMU founder Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. Amar Singh was the chief guest while Akhilesh Singh Yadav, member of Lok Sabha, and son of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav was the guest of honor
“Everyone knows that BJP has been against Muslim interests but the Congress also favors Muslims only in times of elections to woo their votes, “said Amar Singh. “How can the minorities in India depend on these parties for their well being?,” he asked. “These parties should be exposed for the betterment of the nation, he emphasized.
“The step-motherly treatment meted out to the minorities by the ruling parties will pave the way for an unbiased third front which would soon come to power to serve the nation without any discrimination on the basis of caste, religion or color,” Singh said, adding that such a front is the need of the hour.
“Muslim community in India is the second largest population in the world and they should be treated as first class citizens,” Singh said calling all Muslims to come to the mainstream to ensure that they get their rights and privileges.
He said his party with the support of left parties would be able to form a government after the coming elections, and added that his Samajwadi Party was instrumental in bringing the number of BJP seats in the Uttar Pradesh down to 10 from the previous 56. “The fanatic leaders of the BJP were defeated at the last general elections because there was no place for communalism in the country.”
He said Saudi Arabia is an important country for India by virtue of its religious importance to Muslims and being home to more than one and half million Indian expatriates. “There should be an effective Arab lobby in Parliament to look after Islamic interests in the country.” He added that this could also be done through the country’s ambassadors in Islamic countries.
Describing Sir Syed as a great scholar, Singh said Sir Syed will be remembered forever for his unparalleled contributions to the nation and to the Indian Muslims in particular.
