Separate Muslim party

Sir, - Kudos to Mr. Asghar Ali Engineer for his excellent write- up ``Separate Muslim party not needed'' (TheHindu, Nov. 10). Strictly speaking all religion-based political parties in India would have to be declared unconstitutional and anti-Indian as they not only negate and militate against the political philosophy but also tend to destroy the Indian polity.

The author has rightly observed that the Muslims in Pakistan are suffering even more today than earlier. In more than seven centuries of rule in India by Muslims, some of them despots, autocrats and absolute rulers, they did not impose Islamic rule except a few who perished or were wiped out for their own follies. Time and again it was established that religion-based statecraft in India did not find popular support as a watershed in the history.

Jinnah's Pakistan was as calamitous as Jewish diaspora of the yore. The British Raj and the leaders of Indian National Congress were too soft to the emotional and hyperbolic demands of the Muslim League under Jinnah. The result was subcontinental disaster and millions of deaths. Was it not unIslamic act?

G. Azeemoddin,

Anantapur (AP)

* * *

Sir, - Mr. Asghar Ali Engineer's article deserves careful consideration by the Indian Muslims. There are umpteen political parties in India for the Muslims and one more party is not going to make a great difference.

The woes of Muslims arise mostly from their backwardness, educational and economic. They are backward not because of Hindus. We cannot pull down those who are going on a fast tract. Only we must try to catch up with them, braving the uphill journey and unfavourable atmosphere, if any.

Mr. Engineer hit the nail on the head when he said that the Imam Bukhari of Delhi would do well ``to play the role of Sir Syed than that of Jinnah''. I beg to suggest that Bukhari Saheb may, as a first step in this direction, adopt the Aligarh Muslim University and try to resolve the problems impeding the progress of the university. By bestowing his benign blessings and his untiring efforts, from within and from without, on this great institution, he may restore to the university the excellence it enjoyed not long ago.

S. I. Syed Valiyullah,

Coimbatore (TN)

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