ASK MAULANA

Q: Do you think Muslims fear that Narendra Modi or the Hindutva forces will not do anything for their progress? A: In our country, nothing will happen that goes against the country’s Constitution. Mr. Narendra Modi’s election campaign focused only on two issues—development and infrastructure. He did not talk about Hindutva. Hindutva is only something that is used to scare Muslims. Mr. Modi talked only of development and infrastructure, and these are for everyone. I think that Muslims should not have any fear. But if Muslims demand reservations, it is definitely something to fear, because then they won’t be able to enter the mainstream. Only through competition with others can you enter the mainstream. Q: Do you think Narendra Modi might discriminate against Muslims? A: See Gujarat, where Narendra Modi was Chief Minister; Muslims there are really prospering. There’s a lot of wrong propaganda that Muslims in Gujarat are not prospering. In India, we are fortunate to have democracy and freedom. No individual can change the democratic system. It has been in existence for over 60 years. And so, it will prevail. o Intellectual Freedom People are free to use their freedom as they please. If you disagree with someone’s point of view, you can express your view in a rational manner; you must try to address the other person’s mind.