Sunday’s ‘mass conversion’ of the left-wing nationalists of the All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) to ‘right-wing nationalists’ had several unique elements. Perhaps the most significant one was the participation of the Muslims.
A broad estimate can suggest that at least 30 to 40 per cent of the AIFB supporters and leaders, who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday, were Muslims. Realising the mass participation of the members of the minority community, the leaders declared an impromptu ‘Iftar party’, as many in the crowd were fasting to mark the Ramzan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. AIFB, the party founded by Subhash Chandra Bose in 1939, defines themselves as ‘left-wing nationalists’.
The AIFB supporters – who are just not mere sympathisers but powerful local-level organisers – took out rallies from various parts of the city to assemble in, ironically, Netaji Subhas Institute auditorium in Sealdah to join the State BJP.
Participants arrived in Kolkata early in the morning by train from various districts, assembled in various spots, took BJP flags, and rallied to the auditorium.
It was evident that at least 30 to 40 per cent of nearly 2,000 lotus-embossed saffron flag-carrying men were from the Muslim community.
“This crowd is not organised by the BJP, they genuinely are former AIFB members,” said Yunus Ali from Barasat. Mr. Ali is no average supporter of the AIFB for decades.
He played a significant role in establishing the Left Front in Barasat in North 24 Paraganas.
Moreover, he is an affluent small businessman and in election after election he ensured victory for the Left Front in his area.
“But no more,” he sighed. “I can not sustain any more. Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters threaten us every now and then and none of the Forward Bloc leaders ever visited our area to protect us,” Mr. Ali said.
The sentiment was reflected more cohesively by Subhashish Dutta, a former member of the State secretariat of the AIFB, who left the party to join the BJP on Sunday. “Left supporters are under attack by the TMC. The BJP supporters are also under attack, but they are defended by their leaders. But how do we save our family and property?” he asked the audience. Many former AIFB supporters – both Hindus and Muslims – confessed that they did not have any idea how to ‘save themselves’ in Bengal and thus they decided to join the BJP. And Mr. Ali even defended his decision to join Narendra Modi’s party in Bengal.
“One needs to understand the social condition and related compulsions of the BJP in Bengal. Gujarat has eight per cent Muslims and Bengal has 30 per cent - so they (BJP) are protecting us here (from TMC) and we are joining,” he signed off requesting that his photos should not be published for ‘security reasons’.
