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Religion key issue in Bijnore
Randeep Singh
Sunday, April 15, 2007 (Religion)
In Bijnore district of Uttar Pradesh, religion is the only factor that matters when voters choose their representatives.
Here issues like water, good roads, electricity and education do not bother the voters. In a caste ridden state, Bijnore marches to another beat. Here religion and not caste decides how people vote.
Of the two lakh 78 thousand voters, one lakh 18 thousand are Muslims. But the sitting MLA, Bhartendra Singh, knows they will never vote for him.
In the last election, Bhartendra polled 55 thousand votes. Of these there were less than a dozen from Muslim areas. So this time around he isn't even bothering to canvass in these areas.
"What can I do. I feel a bias, so what is the point. We are promoting an almost criminal type of leadership in the Muslim community that divides," said Bhartendra Singh, BJP candidate from Bijnore.
But then again perspective tends to be dominated by the side of the divide that the voter is on.
"What can we do if someone abuses you, calls you names. Should we garland him?" said Tahir Hussien, shopkeeper.
No middle ground
Like any other dusty town in Western UP, Bijnore is a place time seems to have passed by. But come elections and it isn't the absolute lack of development that's the talking point. All that matters here is how better to mobilise your fellow faithful.
"The Muslims vote for the strongest Muslim candidate that leads to Hindus consolidating. This has been happening here for the past four elections, each side is scared of the other," said Yogendra Singh, journalist.
Bhartendra has the right kind of commitment. to ensure election in almost any constituency. His sincerity is evident. But here it is the RSS background of the Doon school, St Stephens alumini that counts. So the final cry is still to rouse the Hindu.
At Bjnore's first Shopping mall and Multiplex all four of the main candidates are engaged in a presidential style debate organised by a local TV channel.
The issues they are talking about would find resonance in most parts of India - lack of electricity, water, law and order.
But come election day and all these issues would be swept aside. What matters here is whether a Hindu or a Muslim becomes the MLA. You are either in one camp or the other. In Bijnore the middle ground has disappeared.
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