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| Hilmy Ahamed |
It is unfortunate that Sri Lankans have begun to vote on
ethnic considerations. Politicians from minority communities, except those
aligned to the TNA have continued to exploit the political opportunities and
ensure their wellbeing–always. The nexus between the TNA and the United
National Party can be labeled as “nothing better”. The Sri Lanka Muslim
Congress (SLMC) and the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) are branded as amongst
the worst wheeler-dealers. Is the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) joining the race?
The declaration of the next presidential or general elections would bring out
the contest amongst the two main political alliances to bid for allegiance of
these sectarian parties. The price, this time around, would be indeed
staggering, especially with the cash rich UNFPA with its desperate need to
continue and an opposition that seems to have been revitalized, with their
encouraging performance in Uva.
Ministerial positions, diplomatic posting and chairmanship of various state
entities would supplement the cash rewards for these pole-vaulters. Obviously,
the prosperous and powerful incumbent administration would have a clear
advantage, but can these politicians deliver the votes of their people to a
government that has treated the minorities with contempt. This is even more
baffling especially in a volatile political environment where there is talk of
regime change.
The political nuptial between Rishard
Bathiudeen, (All Ceylon Muslim Congress, ACMC) and Rauf
Hakeem, (Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, SLMC) in the Uva provincial elections
is an interesting experiment that turned out to be disastrous for the duo.
Political observers have commented that the incumbent government had engineered
their alliance to ensure that the decisive Muslim vote that would have gone to
the opposition due of the hate campaign by the Bodu
Bala Sena would be diverted. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), that
had won the confidence and admiration of a large number of Muslims in the
western and southern provincial elections, was the victim of this alliance
between the SLMC and ACMC.
The question that minorities need to ask is, whether
these sectarian parties have delivered anything to their communities? The lot,
in the plantation sector has had absolutely no opportunity to keep pace with
the rest of the country in their march towards prosperity. The up-country
youth, who may not be interested in being labourers in the plantation sector,
have flown out to Colombo and other urban centers to work as salesmen and
labourers in vegetable shops and grocery stores. They are usually compelled to
work at least 15 hours a day, but they seem to be happy that they are not
estate labourers anymore – progress indeed.
The Muslim community, in recent times has come under
extreme pressure and is discriminated in education, employment and business
with tacit support from the political leadership of the country. What has the
Muslim politicians or Muslim political parties done to address the continuous
threat to the Muslims by extremist forces?
The contribution of the Muslims to the economy and nation
dates back to over a thousand years. Prior to Muslim communal politics that was
introduced by Hon. A H M Ashraff,, the Muslim political leaders were part of
the mainstream parties and many of them did not even need the Muslim vote to
get elected. Today, the onslaught on the minorities by the Bodu Bala Sena,
Sinhala Ravaya and Ravana Balaya has affected the fragile peace that existed
between the Muslims and Buddhists. These extremist forces continue to
intimidate with impunity, the Christian and Muslim community’s right to worship
and practice their religion. There is absolute break down of law and order,
when it comes to the hate campaign carried out by the saffron robed extremists.
It is time that the government of His Excellency, Mahinda
Rajapaksa addressed this menace, for political reasons or otherwise
and secure the confidence of the minorities. Failure on their part would ensure
that sectarian politics would prosper, threating the peace and wellbeing of all
communities.
Most observers comment that the incumbent government has
lost the Tamil, Muslim and Christian votes. It is also claimed that they are
beginning to lose the moderate Sinhala Buddhist votes. This may or may not be a
valid argument in a presidential election, but this would certainly be a
decisive factor in the next general elections. Should communities vote on a
sectarian basis, the threats and further polarization would certainly lead to
conflict and possible violence.
Further, with a split in the Sinhala
Buddhist vote between the UPFA and UNP, the minority alliances would
certainly become dominant players in future governments, creating further
hatred. The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) has announced their entry in to politics to
save Buddhism at the next general elections,. The Sri Lankan Tamilpolitical alliance in Sri Lanka along with
their partners are certain of their dominance in the North and some parts of
the East. If the Muslims vote on communal considerations and form a Muslim
National Alliance across the country, they would probably be guaranteed of over
20 parliamentary representations. The CWC and other political representatives
in the plantation sector could form their alliance too. Is this what we need
for us to be the miracle of Asia?
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