FROM MAULANA'S DESK

FROM MAULANA’S DESK 1. The World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims 2012, Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, Jordan. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, born in 1925, in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, is an Islamic spiritual scholar who is well-versed in both classical Islamic learning and modern disciplines. The mission of his life has been the establishment of worldwide peace. He has received the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour in India, and the Demiurgus Peace International Award. He has been called ’Islam’s spiritual ambassador to the world’ and is recognised as one of its most influential Muslims1. His books have been translated into sixteen languages and are part of university curricula in six countries. He is the founder of the Centre for Peace and Spirituality based in New Delhi. POLITICS is full of differences. If we tried to eliminate such differences, it would prove to be counterproductive. In other words, it would result in a greater evil. Then, what is the alternative? Democracy is the answer. Democracy, in one sense, is the art of difference management. Democracy means a non-confrontational settlement of differences. India’s just concluded sixteenth general election is a landmark in the history of Indian democracy. This election has led to a sea change in India’s politics. But the whole process was totally peaceful. From A to Z it was a smooth exercise. For one political group, this election led to an unprecedented victory, while for another political group, it was a near disaster. But a good sign is that the defeated group welcomed the winning group without losing any time, while the winning group has declared that this was a victory of none other than Bharat, and that they were ready to engage in the sharing of politics for the benefit of India’s development. Democracy is the best form of inducting the spirit of healthy sportsmanship in politics. During the age of kingship, the man wearing the crown used to say: ‘I am here to rule the land,’ while in a democracy the winner has to say: ‘I am here to serve the land.’ THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW INDIA