Seven ways Modi's changed his relationship with Muslims

More than a year after he became the prime minister of India and 13 years since the Gujarat riots, for many Narendra Modi’s name still evokes the image of a communal, hardcore Hindutva and anti-Muslim leader. People have also not forgotten how Modi had refused to wear the skullcap offered by a Muslim supporter during his stint as the Gujarat chief minister. 

When the BJP went to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls with Modi as its prime ministerial candidate, this divisive image may have helped the party polarise the votes, particularly in the communally sensitive areas of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. But, throughout his campaign, Modi dwelt on the development agenda and tried to build upon his image on the basis of the Gujarat development model. He never spoke of any communal issue throughout the run up to the elections. He even cancelled a visit to Ayodhya in mid-June, 2013, lest it besmirches his ambitions.

Even after coming to power, Modi has steered clear of making any controversial statement involving faith though a slew of BJP members – such as Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Sakshi Maharaj, Yogi Adityanath, Swami Chinmayanand and Giriraj Singh – as well as fringe elements of the Sangh Parivar may be indulging in rabble-rousing, launching ghar wapsi and opposing love jihad. He has not only kept away from courting any controversy on this count but has also censured the likes of Jyoti and disapproved her “Ramzade” versus the “Haramzaade” remarks. In the BJP’s parliamentary party meeting on December 2, 2014, Modi said such comments were “not acceptable” and asked his party MPs to desist from making such statements that projected the government and the party in a bad picture.

On another occasion, when US President Barack Obama, on February 5 while talking about religious intolerance in the backdrop of the church attacks in India, said it would have shocked Mahatma Gandhi, Modi pointed out that India was the land of Buddha and Gandhi and "equal respect for all religions must be in the DNA of every Indian". While addressing a meeting on February 17, organised by the Syro-Malabar Catholic church to celebrate Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Euphresia being declared saints by the Vatican, Modi condemned the violence and said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre would not accept violence against any religion on any pretext.

Apart from these don’ts, Modi has taken some affirmative steps in the past one year which indicate that he is very consciously building an image of a secular leader.

Posting of Muslim bureaucrats

Modi has awarded efficiency and has either not transferred out Muslim bureaucrats or brought in new ones. There were at least two Muslim officers who had been appointed as secretaries by the previous Manmohan Singh government but have been retained by Modi. Afzal Amanullah, a 1979 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre was appointed as secretary in parliamentary affairs ministry in July, 2013 and Siraj Hussain, also a 1979 batch IAS officer but of Uttar Pradesh cadre, was appointed as secretary in consumer affairs ministry in May, 2013. Had Modi wanted, he could have transferred them but he has retained both of them. While Amanullah continues to be parliamentary affairs secretary, Hussain has moved to a more important ministry – agriculture – in February this year. Modi had even wished to retain Syed Akbaruddin, the suave, soft-spoken and efficient spokesperson of the external affairs ministry, or bring him in as a spokesperson in the prime minister’s office (PMO) but the latter opted for his maiden ambassadorial posting. While Modi may have removed most of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-appointed governors, he has retained just three. One of them is Delhi lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung. Syed Asif Ibrahim, who had served as the first Muslim Intelligence Bureau chief under the UPA regime, has been appointed by Modi as special envoy on counter-terrorism.

International Yoga Day

Some Muslim leaders and organisations had objected the June 21 event on three counts – that it has been made mandatory for school children, Suryanamaskar and reciting of shlokas. The Centre has relaxed its order – making the event optional, doing away with suryanamaskar and asking Muslims to take the name of Allah instead of Om or the shlokas.

Praise for Islam

Modi hosted the high commissioners of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries and envoys of some of the Muslim countries such as Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt and Indonesia on Monday at his official residence during the launch of the book Education of Muslims by historian JS Rajput and India Islamic Culture Centre president Sirajuddin Qureshi and showered lavish praise on Islam. He said the word “ilm” (which means education) is mentioned in Koran 800 times, second only to Allah.

"Chaadar" to Ajmer dargah sharif

In April this year, on the occasion of annual urs of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Modi pitched for harmony among all religions and sent a 'chaadar' to be offered at his dargah in Ajmer. He handed over the ‘chaadar’ to minister of state for minority affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi to be presented at the dargah. On the occasion, he said, "Khwaja had given a great message to his followers from all religions to live in harmony, keeping with the tradition of sufis and saints. That message is relevant even today."

Meeting Muslim clerics, leaders

On June 2, Modi met about 30 Muslim leaders on the occasion of Shab-e-Baraat. The PM told them that he neither believed in politics which seeks to divide people on communal lines nor will he ever speak communal language. He said the politics of majority and minority had caused a lot of damage to the country. He said employment and development are the solution to all problems, and he is focused on delivering them. He had held a meeting with Muslim leaders on April 6 too and promised his full support in addressing grievances of all sections of the Muslim society with particular focus on ameliorating their social conditions and meeting their educational requirements.

"India first" government’s only religion

Modi has said on several occasions that his government's only religion was “India first”. He has also said in the same breath that its only holy book was Indian Constitution and only prayer was welfare of all. He had said this publically for the first time during BJP’s pre-election rally held in the national capital on September 30, 2013. The last time we have heard him say this was on February 27 this year while he was replying to a discussion on the motion of thanks to the president's address in the Lok Sabha.

Proposed visit to country’s oldest mosque

In a bid to endear the country’s largest minority community, Modi is likely to pay a visit to the Cheraman Juma Masjid, India's oldest Muslim shrine, when he visits Kerala in July or August. He will go there to inaugurate the completion of the first phase of Muziris heritage project funded by Kerala tourism. The mosque is said to have been built in 629 AD by Malik Bin Dinar, a contemporary of Cheraman Perumal, the ruler of Kodungalur and adjoining parts of Malabar, who subsequently converted to Islam.