By Sadiq Naqvi

Professor of Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi, Prof Akhtarul Wasey has been regularly contributing to various Urdu publications. Here he discusses the intersection of India’s Muslims, Anna Hazare, Narendra Modi and secular democracy.

Why didn’t Muslims come out openly in favour of Anna Hazare’s Jan Lokpal campaign?

Corruption is a secular issue that affects everyone. But if the movement has been hijacked by the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), then how can Muslims support it, knowing fully what the RSS and its affiliates stand for? Moreover, corruption is not the only issue in this country. Communalism is a bigger issue for Muslims. Why didn’t Anna Hazare speak out against Modi’s doings in Gujarat? It is easy for people to talk of rights, but they start stammering as soon as the issues of Muslims come up. Also, why is the India Against Corruption team silent on its funding? And did they try to talk to Muslims and take them into confidence before going ahead with the campaign? Muslims have bigger issues to deal with than just corruption.

To read the entire interview, visit Hardnews by clicking here.

For more on our media partnership with Hardnews in India, click here.