MAHESH BHATT BATS FOR CONGRESS

Noted film-maker Mahesh Bhatt leading "Karwan-e-Bedari" to mobilise support for the Congress party, Monday said "only Congress could ensure unity of the country and protect values of secularism."

Bhatt in a telephonic interview to IANS stressed on secularism as a key ingredient to keep the country united and strong.

When asked why as a film maker was it necessary for him to join politics, Mahesh Bhatt said "we live in a democracy and should participate in it. The political parties and government influence our lives to a great extent. Over the decades I have seen that Indian politics was turning to “right” and certain political parties began misusing religion for political gains. India can survive only on secular principles."

Talking about the  Karwan-e-Bedari of the Millat Bedari Muhim Committee (MBMC), Mahesh Bhatt said "Millat Bedari Muhim Committee is an intellectual and social body of the teachers and intellectuals of the Aligarh Muslim University. It has brought out Karwan-e-Bedari under Jasim Mohammad to make Muslim masses aware about dangers of divisive politics and guide them to vote unitedly in Muslim dominated areas."

Bhatt said he appealed to voters to support the Congress because he felt the core ideology of the party was secularim. The party has always been supportive of weaker sections. "Even today Congress realizes that a new generation of Muslims is eager to join the national mainstream. Development of infrastructure, education, employment, sanitation and gender sensitization are important issues for Muslims which the Congress led UPA tried doing. The process must continue." 

The Congress was weakened in recent years as some regional political outfits were able to attract a section of muslims. "But I strongly feel that to arrest the tide of fascism and communalism the Congress party had to be strengthened. The muslims take me seriously because I bond with them emotionally and have strong relations with the community."

Bhatt said it was true that some promises were not kept by the Congress party which antagonised a section of muslims but if you take a larger picture you find there was an honest attempt made  to implement Sachchar committee report. " I feel the Congress will take it up and fulfill the the wishes of the community. The party has set on a new course of right-based politics and governance.  Inclusive politics will provide all weaker sections including Muslims their rights. If a section is lagging behind in race of development then it should be given some extra attention and facilities and this can not be called  appeasement. The accusation is from the forces which are trying to change secular character of India. "

Mahesh Bhatt said the BJP had released its manifesto and all the controversial issues like Rama Temple, Article 370 and Uniform Civil Code have been included. "In fact the core ideology of Sangh Privar and BJP, the Hindutva was beautifully enveloped in development and that has been exposed now. Hidden agenda  of Hindutva will be implemented if BJP came to power," he added.

In his opinion votes were the best and most effective weapons in the armoury of the people against communalism and poor governance. "An opportunity is now available before the voters to defeat the designs of divisive forces and pave the way for accelerated growth of all sections of the society," Bhatt said.