NEW DELHI: The Congress has described the Bharatiya Janata Party’s demand for an uniform civil code as a “Surreptitious” move to play the Hindu card in the coming Lok Sabha elections and said it was not possible to introduce such a code, “In reply to a question at his daily bricfing, Congress spokesperson V.N. Gadgil said that in view of the BIP’s ‘experience in the last round of Assembly elections, the party would not ‘Openly advocate a pan Hindu line, ‘The Congress’s calculation that the BYP, which was: Consistently attempting to broaden its vote bank, would Not play the Hindu card as it may boomerang. In the Maharashtra and ‘Gujarat Assembly elections, the BJP is said to have received the support of the minority Muslim community despileits pronounced pro-Hindu image. Subsequently, a section of the BJP Leadership has been advocating in favor of the party diluting its pro-Hindu stance. Efforts are on by the BJP leadership to give the party a pro-Dalit image. Its support to the Bahujan ‘Samaj Party (BSP) Uttar Pradesh, is a well-designed move by the party in this regard.

The BJP is making a conscious effort to Woo the minorities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tri Ina scenario like this, in Gadgi’s view, the BJP would surreptitiously campaignin favor of Hindutva. The BJP’s allegations about a rise in Muslim Population, infiltration of Bangladeshis and need for an uniform civil code should be seen in this regard.

Subtle Hindutva campaign, the Congress strategists feel, may help the ruling party at the Center. The party is of the view that the minority community would tum towards the Congress, if the BJP played the Hindutva card, ‘The results of the West Bengal civic polls are quite encouraging from the Congress? Point of view, in view of the reports about the Shifting of minority community’s allegiance from the Left Front to the Congress.

While the BJP is all set to play the Hindutva card, the Congress reportedly proposes to initiate a series of measures to woo the minority community, Loss of Muslim votes in the Hindi heartland has been a major contributory factor to the loss of the Congress’s clout in the region.

Proposal to have 10% job reservation and salary to Imams are some of the measures being contemplated by the Congress Government.

Article extracted from this publication >>  July 28, 1995