All inter-faith marriages aren't love jihad: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi to WION

Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said that the nationalism debate around Vande Mataram and Jan Gan Man are irrelevant.

Speaking exclusively to WION’s Kartikeya Sharma, Naqvi, Minister forMinority Affairs,also delves into the love jihad issue.

Here’s the full transcript of the interview:

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Q: What has the government done for various minorities in the country?

A: Our focus is on development with dignity and we are trying to focus on segments which remained untouched during UPA’s tenure. We don’t believe in appeasement and in the past minorities were exploited. If the total amount of money set aside for the minorities would have been spent properly then none of them would have been living below the poverty line. The funds got pilfered and brokers siphoned them off.

Q: Social vigilantism is an issue in India. Despite Prime Minister Modi’s warning, it has not come down. Why?

A: I agree with you. But our focus is only on development. Gau Raksha activism is being done by people with nefarious design. But I assure you that no destructive agenda can dominate the developmental agenda of our government. These are isolated cases. These isolated cases too should not happen and that is why PM in no uncertain words have criticized them in past. These are criminal activities which are being described by some as communal activities. It is not correct.

Q: There is a raging debate on nationalism. Don’t you think this debate ultimately ends up hurting the minorities as nationalism becomes a tool for political hectoring?

A: There are some people who think they are the custodians of nationalism and it is wrong. They think that they need to give certificate on nationalism. On the other hand, we have champions of secularism who believe that unless and until they don’t certify people as secular the other cannot exist as one. These two extremes are not in the interest of the country. Then there are those who accuse people for being anti-national if they don’t get up for Jan Gan Man or Vande Matram. No. If you sing or not sing Vande Matram it doesn’t make you an anti-national. But if you insult these symbols purposely then it becomes a different case all together. These are irrelevant debates.

Q: How did you built consensus on Haj reforms?

A: One lakh seventy thousand people from India go to Haj every year. Supreme Court has already directed the government to frame new Haj policy for 2018. We constituted a committee and consultations took place which ended up in recommendations. We ended the ban of women not been able to perform alone. Now we have allowed group of four women to go for Haj and in future we will also allow single women to go and perform Haj. Time has changed. As far as Haj subsidy is concerned, it will be abolished by 2018. Haj subsidy never benefited the pilgrims. It went to the Air India.

Q: Your government has taken strong positions on certain contentious issues like triple talaq. Does it pave the way for a debate on Uniform Civil Code of Law?

A: We are committed towards Uniform Civil Code of Law. It is incumbent on every government to build consensus for common civil code. It requires consultation and consensus. There has to be broad agreement on this matter.

Q: Most of the times reforms have taken place because of enlightened decisions and not consensus?

A: Understand that we are living in a democracy. If there is no democracy then reforms can take place any time. We will have to build consensus and it will not be forced. Law Commission is already seized of the matter.

Q: Since when inter-faith marriages have become cause of national security? You also have an inter-faith marriage? How can every case of inter-faith marriage be love jihad?

A: I agree with you. Yes, I have an inter-faith marriage. I don’t know where this word of love or hate jihad has come from. All inter-faith marriages are not love jihad. But also understand that no country can afford forceful conversion. I think if there is a conspiracy then it should be investigated and exposed.

Q: Lot of cases of radicalisation has come to light. Young men and women are joining ISIS. What is your department doing to de-radicalise such people?

A: These are isolated incidents. al-Qaeda could not succeed in India and in the same way ISIS has not been able to succeed. Yes, there are cases but in a larger perspective it isn’t like Europe. Indian Muslims are strongly nationalistic. Our security agencies are doing the job but essentially Indians stay away from radical thoughts. If that was the case then Hindu Maha Sabha or Muslim League would have been running the government.

Q: Talks on Ayodhya are on. Should there be consensus on Ayodhya?

A: I think consensus is an ideal solution. We welcome the steps taken by the civil society and we welcome it.

Q: Response towards Dineshwar Sharma has been lukewarm. He is the interlocutor for Kashmir. Is there any hope?

A: I don’t agree (with this). I’m very much confident. People of Kashmir are patriotic. Time to time fanatic forces have been defeated by them. Only two districts of Jammu and Kashmir are affected. Ladakh and Jammu are not affected.

Q: How do you explain the killing of political workers? Do terrorists have sanctuaries in the Valley?

A: Yes, there are hostile forces, but killing will not benefit anyone. People don’t appreciate these kinds of things.

Q: There is petition in the court that Hindus in some states should be given minority status...

A: Government works within the framework of the Constitution. It is not logically correct or possible. Minorities are defined in the Constitution.

Q: You were accused of politicising terror when you did the press conference on a hospital demanding an explanation from Ahmad Patel. What do you have to say about that?

A: We didn’t politicise terrorism. It is our duty to ask questions. Certain linkages came out in public domain and Congress was asked to explain it. We did the right thing.

Q: Some people said that BJP is doing it to deflect attention from demonetisation and GST as they generated bad publicity?

A:The performance of the government has been good. Reform, perform and transform is the mantra of BJP. I think we have done a good job and in the long run it will have a positive impact.