It is the first month of the New Year as per the Hindu calendar. It is the 9th month of the year as per the Islamic calendar. Thus, Navratri and Ramzan, both holy days have already begun in April. The state governments, thus, should issue orders and guidelines to respect both religions.
But, what about appeasement politics? Few state governments are running only because of appeasement politics and thus, it becomes necessary for them to communalize festivals too. In such a move, the state governments of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Delhi are back with their appeasement-style politics to favor Muslims fasting on Ramzan.
Uninterrupted power supply during Ramzan
Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited, also popularly known as Jodhpur Discom running under Gehlot Government has ordered to provide an uninterrupted power supply in the Muslim-dominated areas. It directed its engineers in 10 districts to ensure that there is no power cut during Ramzan in all “Muslim-dominated areas“.
The order issued on April 1 to Jodhpur DISCOM’s superintending engineers read, “The month of Ramzan is beginning from April 4. Do not go for shut down and ensure uninterrupted power supply in Muslim-dominated areas so that those observing Roza do not have any inconvenience.”
This makes the Hindu community ask why any order in the interest of Hindus has not been issued as Navratras are being celebrated.
The order has evoked severe criticism from the BJP members. Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has termed the order a “Tughlaqi firman” asking the Congress government of Rajasthan to avoid any “communal conspiracy”.
Witnessing the backlash, the DISCOM authorities revised the order on Tuesday that can be read as, “Considering higher temperatures this year and the festivals falling in coming months, ensure adequate power supply for public convenience and proper water supply.”
Short leave for Muslims during Ramzan
It’s not only Rajasthan Government that is secular but Delhi CM Kejriwal too is infamous for being a ‘secular’ party. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB), too, had issued a circular allowing its Muslim employees a two-hour break from work daily during Ramzan. However, on Monday, the board canceled the order.
“The competent authority has accorded approval to allow short leave (of approx. two hours a day) by the concerned DDO/controlling officer to the Muslim employees during the days of Ramzan i.e., April 3 to May 2 or till the date of Idu’l fitr is declared, subject to the condition that they will accomplish their work during the remaining office hours so that the office work does not suffer,” the DJB circular issued on 4 April read.
Taking the DJB to cleaners on the circular, Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta said, “On one hand, thousands of vends in the national capital have been encouraging the sale of liquor by giving 25 percent discount during Navratri, and on the other hand, Delhi Jal board employees have been given 2-hour off from work to offer Namaz during Ramzan. If this is not appeasement then what is?”
Moreover, KCR led Telangana government has also resorted to appeasement politics and announced that all Muslim employees can leave offices an hour early during the Ramzan, reported The Times of India.
“Permission to all Muslim Government Employees/ Contract/ Out-sourcing/ Boards/ Public Sector Employees to leave Offices / Schools early by an hour during the month of Ramzan from 03.04.2022 to 02.05.2022 (both days inclusive) – Accorded,” the circular read.
You see, these are the ‘secular’ governments for you. Such is the secularism that they tend to ignore the Hindu community in order to appease Muslims. But, seemingly, it does not work because if it would have worked, BJP, which refrains from appeasement politics, could not have been ruling many of the states.