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Kalam a puppet of votebank politics

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What Muslims say

* Dr Rafiq Zakaria, Islamic scholar and author: Every Indian is proud of Kalam, but Muslims won t benefit from his Presidency. P C Alexander was a better choice.

* Dr Shehnaz Shaikh, editor, eMedicine Inc: Captain Lakshmi Sehgal is more eligible.

* Moazzam Naik, public relations secretary of the Jamaat-e-Islami: Dr Kalam is a Muslim who has no inclination towards the community.

* Poet Abdul Ahad Saaz: Kalam s scientific work will suffer if he s President. Captain Sehgal a better choice.

* Dr Maimoona Dalvi, former head of the Urdu department of Ismail Yusuf College: Kalam deserves the highest post.

"If this is to be regarded as an example of Muslim appeasement, then it has been thrust upon the community," laughs Dr Rafiq Zakaria, Islamic scholar and author, commenting on the selection of Dr Abdul Kalam as the candidate for the Presidency.

If there's one thing politically aware Muslims in Mumbai have seen through, it's the votebank politics which has resulted in the near-unanimous choice of Dr Kalam. In fact, two of them preferred the choice of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, Captain Lakshmi Sehgal.

"She's a freedom fighter, so she's more eligible to be President, and she will at least speak up," said Dr Shehnaz Shaikh, editor, eMedicine Inc. "Did Narayanan say anything on Gujarat, despite his political background?"

Moazzam Naik, public relations secretary of the Jamaat-e-Islami, says Dr Kalam had visited Gujarat after the earthquake there, but hasn't thought it fit to do so after the recent violence. "Only a Muslim who has no inclination towards the Muslim community can be considered for this post."

Dr Kalam is by birth a Muslim, but by lifestyle more of a Hindu, says Dr Zakaria. "Newspapers have reported he reads the Gita and recites mantras every morning, is a vegetarian and a brahmachari. I'm not criticising this, just pointing out that in practice and outlook, his roots seem to lie more in Hinduism. He had turned down my invitation to head the procession taken out every year from Khilafat House on the Prophet's birthday, which even the prime minister does not decline."

"Why do you think the RSS likes him?" laughs Naik. "He may have been chosen because he's a Muslim, but we have no expectations from him."

In fact, the choice worries Dr Shaikh. "After rubbishing secularism all these days, especially since Gujarat, for some reason now the Sangh Parivar seems to be feeling the need to shift from aggressive Hindutva to sham secularism. After threatening us openly, now they are sending a conciliatory message. I wonder why."

Naik too is worried, but for Dr Kalam: of his hitherto unblemished reputation being dragged down by political controversy, the same way retired judge and ex-Governor Fathima Beevi's was.

"Politicians have a way of using eminent persons and embroiling them in unsavoury controversies. I wish he had declined the offer."

So does poet Abdul Ahad Saaz. "The job of President will hamper the work he is engaged in now, that of popularising science. From the Urdu papers, I can see Muslims are happy with his appointment, but I think Captain Sehgal is more qualified for this post."

However, Dr Zakaria says Kalam has been both secretary and advisor to the government, hence he has political and administrative experience. "It's wrong to see his appointment as the appointment of a Muslim. At any rate, Indian Muslims are not going to benefit from his appointment. If you judge him on his own merits, who can find fault with him? Every Indian is proud of him."

Zakaria faults the Left for opposing his appointment only because he's the NDA's choice, but feels P C Alexander would have been the best choice. "Few can compare with his intellectual calibre or dignity"

Dr Maimoona Dalvi, former head of the Urdu department of Ismail Yusuf College, and active in women's education, however, is happy with Kalam's selection.

"He deserves the highest post. With his great intellect, I'm confident he will be able to manage the political and social role he has to perform as president. I believe that once a person is placed on a chair, the chair teaches him or her everything necessary."

Dr Dalvi doesn't like to think that Kalam's being a Muslim has influenced his selection. "Even if it has, all of us, not only Muslims, should be happy that such a great scientist is in the chair. When there are so many things to be sorrowful about, we should look at the light, not the darkness."








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