ASK MAULANA

ASK MAULANA Your Questions Answered An Interaction with Maulana Wahiduddin Khan on Indian Muslims (May 31, 2014) Q: Several Muslim organisations are demanding reservations for Muslims in government jobs. They claim that this is necessary for Muslims to progress. Do you think that if Muslims are not granted such reservations they cannot progress? A: Muslims can progress only if they do not get reservations. If they get reservations, they will never progress. I say this because this world is a world of competition. We have to inculcate the competitive spirit among Muslims. If Muslims get reservations, they will become complacent and paralyzed forever. Through reservations, a few Muslims may get a few small jobs, but not the top jobs, because you can get to the top only through competing with others. From the very outset, I have been against reservations for Muslims. I do not regard those who demand reservations for Muslims as wellwishers of Muslims. Q: What do the Muslims of India expect from Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi? A: Our country has a democratic system. One day somebody becomes the leader of the country, and the next day somebody else. This does not make any difference at all. The system remains the same. It is not affected by someone coming to power. The only thing that changes is the person who occupies the seat of power. I would say that Muslims should think of the nation’s interests, and not in terms of sectarian or communal interests, otherwise they can never progress. Because the nation’s progress will benefit everyone, and not just one community. Muslims should actively participate in the general progress of the nation, and not demand separate development schemes.