PM Modi to inaugurate Arabic Academy in Mumbai on 10 Feb
PM Modi to inaugurate Arabic Academy in Mumbai on 10 Feb
In the backdrop of his Muslim outreach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Mumbai on February 10, to inaugurate the Dawoodi Bohra Community’s Arabic Academy in Marol. He will share the dais with community leader Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin.
The PM’s visit to the city comes less than a month following his inauguration of a slew of infrastructure projects, is ahead of the BJP’s outreach program of the forthcoming civic polls and the general elections.
Reportedly few months ago, he had wooed Pasmanda or backward-class Muslims.
Recently he issued directives to his partymen to reach out to the minorities, including Muslims, “without expecting votes”.
Three weeks ago, at the party’s national executive meet, he asked party workers to meet Pasmanda Muslims and Dawoodi Bohras as well as professionals from the Muslim community.
As per a BJP leader Modi’s inauguration of the Arabic Academy was a “loud and clear” message.
The BJP leader further asserted that next parliamentary elections are crucial for and an inclusive approach is vital for victory.The Bohra community being influential, hence the gesture.
According to a rough estimate, the Bohras account for 10 percent of the total Muslim population in India. The community, which hails from South Asia, has ancestral ties to Gujarat.
However, as per Maharashtra BJP vice-president Madhav Bhandari, Modi had shared very cordial relations with the community and he is a first-hand witness amid the community’s global conclave held in 2012 in Surat
The data from the Muslim dominated booths in Gujarat is a clear evidence that the Bohra Muslims stand by them like they do in Mumbai.
Shabbir Ansari, president of the All India Muslim OBC Organisation, opines that the BJP need to support the Muslim backward classes rather than an elite community like the Bohras. Being a mercantile community and having a strong base in Gujarat, Bohras have always been close to the BJP and Modi. The PM has been speaking of the upliftment of Pasmanda Muslims, and he should stand by them instead of wooing the Bohras.
Mumbai-based political analyst Prakash Akolkar affirms that the BJP had strategically chosen the most elite class from the Muslim community for its outreach programme. Following the abrogation of Article 370 and the ongoing construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya, the BJP’s next aim is to implement the common civil code. For this, the party will need Muslim support, and it has thus chosen the most elite from the community. This will help them in the civic polls and general elections.
Sarfaraz Arzoo, Editor, Hindustan, Urdu daily, says that Bohra community was peace-loving and kept out of controversies. It is a minority within a minority and has always remained close to the establishment to be ‘politically correct’.
A spokesperson from the Bohra community, however, denied that Modi’s visit was politically expedient for the community. There is no inclination towards any political party If Modi is attending the forthcoming function. Infact, Manmohan Singh had also inaugurated Saifee Hospital in Mumbai in 2005. Centres in Pakistan and Kenya were also inaugurated by heads of state.
News Input K.V.Raman
