Community intellectuals stress participation in democracy as a constitutional duty
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – As temperatures soar in the national capital and political tensions simmer across the seven parliamentary constituencies of the city, the spotlight has now turned to the crucial role of Muslim voters, particularly in the Okhla assembly constituency.
Despite the huge implication of their votes, there is a noticeable silence among voters in Muslim-majority areas, prompting concerns among political analysts. However, there is a belief that if Muslim voters turn out in large numbers, they can wield significant influence on the electoral outcome.
The Election Commission and political parties alike are troubled by the persistent decline in voter turnout, with nearly half of the electorate abstaining from participating in the democratic process. Among Muslim voters, low turnout is often attributed to a perceived lack of interest in elections. Instances of waking up late, arriving at polling booths hours after opening, and ultimately abstaining from voting have unfortunately become all too common.
Renowned intellectual Dr. Taslim Rahmani addressed this issue, stating: “It is unnecessary to appeal to Muslim voters, as they have been used merely as a vote bank by political parties, without addressing their concerns. However, the responsibility for upholding the country’s democracy does not solely rest on Muslims’ shoulders. With their understanding of the situation, we trust they will exercise their voting rights responsibly.”
A former head of the Delhi University’s Urdu Department, Prof. Tawqeer Ahmed Khan, urged all voters in Okhla to fulfill their constitutional duty by participating in the electoral process. “Participation in the celebration of democracy is an important constitutional duty of every Indian,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, former professor at Hyderabad’s Maulana Azad National Urdu University and renowned poet Farooq Bakshi passionately appealed to Okhla residents to brave the extreme heat and exercise their constitutional right to vote. “In these elections, the survival of democracy is at stake, and it is incumbent upon all of us to strengthen it by casting our votes,” he said.
Munne Bharti, Chairman of Okhla Press Club, acknowledged the challenges posed by voting in extreme heat but stressed the importance of maximum voter turnout, asserting that “the secret of success lies in maximum polling.”
As the electoral process unfolds, the call for increased Muslim voter participation resonates as a crucial step towards fostering a robust and inclusive democracy in the country.
