Ex chief minister of Jharkhand and incumbent leader of opposition in the assembly, Mr Babulal Marandi, made a disturbing comment about the Muslim community, which sadly is a part of the right wing common sense and has been normalized as a discourse in our polity.
Campaigning in Bihar, he said that the Muslims don’t vote for the BJP, yet avail all the welfare benefits of the state. He said that the prime minister has been extended all benefits without any discrimination, suggesting that the Muslims as a community have been an ungrateful lot.
The statement is problematic on many counts. Firstly because it implies that welfare benefits by a government are meant for their voters and not for the common citizens of the country or state. Secondly because it tries to define non discrimination by welfare, and negate dignity and representation altogether. Lastly because it makes a demand for gratitude and loyalty from voters, whereas it ought to be the opposite in a democracy. It is the political establishment that should be grateful to the people for choosing them.
The question of welfare as a discretionary state largesse needs to be condemned unequivocally. All welfare is funded by state revenues, collected from all citizens. While welfare cannot be claimed by voting, taxation can surely be refused due to lack of representation. The primary slogan of the American revolution was “ no taxation without representation “. A government which openly declares that the Muslims do not vote for it, and it doesn’t nominate any Muslim for candidacy in any election, certainly has no moral authority to collect taxes from them or make any laws affecting them. If the community, doesn’t grudge it, it is because of its faith in the constitution, democracy. The belief that the constitution would ensure non discrimination and democracy is about forming social coalitions which would eventually form a majority and one must wait until then.
What is far more disturbing though, is the normalization of this discourse. It seems to reinforce the othering of the Muslims, who are not equal citizens and are here on tolerance and sufferance of the Hindus, and therefore need to be eternally grateful. More so when they receive welfare benefits too. This is against the collective nationhood, forged by our national movement and the idea of India.
This comment is truly anti national.
