BJP leaders slam Hamid Ansari for 'Muslim unease' comment

BJP leaders slam Hamid Ansari for 'Muslim unease' comment

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Updated: Aug 10, 2017, 04:34 PM IST

HIGHLIGHTS
'No better country than India for Muslims and no better friend than Hindus," said BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain
Priti Gandhi, a national executive member of the BJP, asked Ansari if he feels uneasy despite her "Hindu majority nation" placing him "at the pinnacle of power" for 10 years
Hamid Ansari Hamid Ansari
NEW DELHI: Some BJP leaders have taken exception to outgoing vice-president Hamid Ansari's comment that "a feeling of unease, a sense of insecurity is creeping in" among the country's Muslims.
"(There is) no better country than India for Muslims and no better friend than Hindus," said BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain.
Hussain was reacting to comments Ansari made during an interview with Rajya Sabha TV. Ansari was asked if the recent spate of lynching and violence by cow vigilantes was making the country's Muslim community apprehensive.
"Yes, it is a correct assessment. From all I hear from different quarters, the country. I heard the same thing in Bengaluru, I have heard from other parts of the country, I hear more about in north India. There is a feeling of unease, a sense of insecurity is creeping in," answered Ansari, according to IANS.
That comment didn't go down well with another BJP leader either. Priti Gandhi, who's a national executive member of the party, in a tweet, asked Ansari if he feels uneasy despite her "Hindu majority nation" placing him "at the pinnacle of power" for 10 years.
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The 80-year-old vice president also had advice for the Muslim community. He said it has to move with the times and live with the requirements of the occasion.

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"Do not create for one self or one's fellow beings an imaginary situation which is centuries back, when things were very different. I mean the whole idea was that what are the challenges today... The challenges today are challenges of development, what are the requirements for development; you keep up with the times, educate yourself, and compete..." he said.
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During the interview, Ansari talked about a range of issues, including the attacks on Africans in India, the functioning of the Rajya Sabha and his relationship with two Presidents -- Pratibha Patil and Pranab Mukherjee -- and Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi.
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When he was asked if he conveyed his apprehensions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said he had but didn't divulge any details.
"Yes.. yes. But what passes between the Vice President and the Prime Minister in the nature of things must remain in the domain of privileged conversation," said Ansari.

How PM Modi gave a left-handed compliment to outgoing Vice-President Hamid Ansari

How PM Modi gave a left-handed compliment to outgoing Vice-President Hamid Ansari
While bidding Ansari farewell in the Rajya Sabha, PM Modi said the former remained a prisoner of his thought for a major part of his life.

Kumar Shakti Shekhar
Kumar Shakti Shekhar  | Posted by Ruchi Lata Pandey
New Delhi, August 10, 2017 | UPDATED 23:34 IST
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Narendra Modi and Hamid AnsariNarendra Modi and Hamid Ansari
HIGHLIGHTS
1On his last working day, Vice-President Hamid Ansari's remark triggers row.
2Ansari said there's a sense of insecurity among Muslims.
3Ansari's tenure as Vice-President was mired in controversy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a left-handed compliment to outgoing Vice-President Hamid Ansari. He returned in the same coin the Rajya Sabha Chairperson's assertion that there was a feeling of unease and a sense of insecurity among Muslims in the country.
While bidding Ansari farewell in the Rajya Sabha today, PM Modi said the former remained a prisoner of his thought for a major part of his life. "A major portion of your (Ansari's) career as a diplomat was associated with West Asia. You spent several years of your life within such confines, atmosphere, thought process, debates and amidst such people," he said. The PM obviously referred to Ansari's postings as an IFS officer in Muslim countries such as United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia and others.
A minute of PM's farewell speech for Hamid Ansari was devoted to taunting the outgoing Vice-President over his latest controversial remark. 

ANSARI'S 'LIMITED' VISION
The PM said, even after retiring, most of Ansari's works were similar, whether in the Minorities Commission or the Aligarh Muslim University. "Your scope remained limited," he said.
Noting that Ansari got a different responsibility as the vice-president in which he had to function totally as per the tenets of the Constitution. "Though you made maximum efforts to fulfil your responsibilities, perhaps there must have been some restlessness within you," the PM said.
PM Modi also told Ansari since his tenure is coming to an end, he will no longer have to face that crisis and that he will also get an opportunity to enjoy freedom to think, debate and work in accordance with his fundamental thought process.
However, Modi also appreciated Vice President Hamid Ansari, saying that it reflected his skill, patience and intellect, to be able to function as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for 10 years, where one has to be calm in all situations.
Earlier, Ansari had raked up another controversy today, a day before retiring, by stating there was a feeling of unease and a sense of insecurity among Muslims in the country.
In an interview aired on Rajya Sabha TV today, Ansari asserted that the "ambience of acceptance" of Muslims was now under threat.
Unlike Ansari, a former Indian Foreign Officer (IFS), who was blunt when he said the Muslims felt insecure, PM Modi made an oblique reference to the former's limited thought process.
ANSARI'S CAREER
While criticising Ansari's selective approach towards issues, Modi obviously indicated the 81-year-old politician's expertise on West Asia and the Middle East.
Having joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1961, Hamid Ansari served in various diplomatic missions for 40 years. He worked as Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia, among other countries.
He specialises in regional conflicts and has written books on the Middle East politics and conflicts.
His notable publications include Iran Today: Twenty Five Years After the Islamic Revolution; Travelling Through Conflict: Essays on the Politics of West Asia; and Teasing Questions: Exploring Disconnects in Contemporary India.
After returning to India, Ansari became vice-chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University in 2000 and served on the post till March, 2002. He was actively involved in ensuring compensation to the Gujarat riots victims and pushing for revisiting the relief and rehabilitation for all the riot victims since 1984.
In 2006, the outgoing vice-president was appointed as the Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM). But, he resigned as a year later, he was nominated for the post of Vice-President during the Congress-led UPA government.
CONTROVERSIES SURROUNDING ANSARI
Ansari's tenure as Vice-President was mired in controversy on three issues. He abruptly adjourned the Rajya Sabha in December 30, 2011, the last day of Parliament's winter session. This happened when a discussion was taking place on the Jan Lokpal Bill in the wake of the Anna Hazare movement.
On PM Modi's initiative, the UN declared June 21 as International Yoga Day. More than 190 countries celebrated the first Yoga Day in 2015. The day was observed with much fanfare by the government. The then President Pranab Mukherjee had Yoga Day observed in Rashtrapati Bhavan. However, Ansari never took part in the Yoga Day celebrations in the last three years.
On Republic Day 2015, Ansari courted controversy for not saluting the national flag when it was hoisted, and the national anthem was being sung at Rajpath. Alongside Mukherjee and Modi, then visiting US president Barack Obama (who was the chief guest at the parade), US First Lady Michelle Obama and then defence minister Manohar Parrikar, Ansari was seen standing at attention.
Though protocol demanded only the President to salute the flag, both Modi and Parrikar were seen doing that. But Ansari stood still.
Besides these, Mukherjee bid adieu to his office last month in a dignified manner. PM Modi wrote an emotional letter to him on his last day in office. However, Ansari would be remembered for raking controversy on his last day in office.

Venkaiah Naidu Takes On Hamid Ansari's 'Minorities Insecure' Remarks

Now, Venkaiah Naidu Takes On Hamid Ansari's 'Minorities Insecure' Remarks
Though Venkaiah Naidu did not name anyone, his comments are seen as a response to Hamid Ansari's remarks in a TV interview that there was unease and a sense of insecurity among Muslims in the country, and that "ambience of acceptance" is now under threat.
All India | Press Trust of India | Updated: August 10, 2017 18:56 IST
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Now, Venkaiah Naidu Takes On Hamid Ansari's 'Minorities Insecure' Remarks
Venkaiah Naidu rejected the view that there is a sense of insecurity among minorities in India (File)
NEW DELHI: 
HIGHLIGHTS
There is a sense of insecurity among Muslims, Hamid Ansari said earlier
Venkaiah Naidu said such comments are 'political propaganda'
Venkaiah Naidu to take over as Vice President of India from Hamid Ansari
Venkaiah Naidu, who takes over as Vice President of India tomorrow, today rejected as "political propaganda" the view that there is a sense of insecurity among minorities in the country. His comments were seen as a rejoinder to Hamid Ansari, the man he succeeds.

Mr Ansari said there is a feeling of unease and a sense of insecurity among Muslims, and the "ambience of acceptance" is under threat. He also said he had spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other ministers about "intolerance".

Mr Naidu, who quit the government and the ruling BJP after being named vice presidential candidate, did not name anyone but appeared to respond to those comments in an interview. "Some people are saying minorities are insecure. It is a political propaganda. Compared to the entire world, minorities are more safe and secure in India and they get their due," Mr Naidu told the Press Trust of India.

He also said the Indian society is the "most tolerant in the world" because of its people and civilisation.

"There is tolerance that is why democracy is so successful," he said.

Mr Naidu, who has been a BJP president in the past, cautioned against singling out one community, saying it would draw adverse reaction from other communities.

"If you single out one community, other communities will take it otherwise. That is why we say all are equal. Appeasement for none justice for all," the 68-year-old former union minister said.


History, he said, has proved that there is no discrimination against minorities.

"They (minorities) got in prominent positions including constitutional responsibilities because there is no discrimination, and also on account of their merit," he said.

Noting that India's uniqueness is its unity in diversity, he said "sarva dharm sadbhav" (communal harmony) and secularism is in the mind and blood of India.

"India is secular not because of political leaders but because of its people and civilisation," he said.

Mr Ansari's comments were seen to be linked to recent mob attacks in the name of cow protection, for which opposition parties have attacked the central government.

Asked about the attacks, Mr Naidu said "India is a huge country and there could be some stray occurrences, which are nothing but aberrations".

Mr Naidu commented that some people "blow such incidents out of proportion" for political considerations. Some go to the extent of "defaming" the county by raising such issues at international forum.

Sense of unease among Muslims: Hamid Ansari

Sense of unease among Muslims: Hamid Ansari in his last interview as vice-president

TNN | Updated: Aug 10, 2017, 11:32 AM IST

HIGHLIGHTS
Ansari said he shared the view of many that intolerance was growing
He ascribed the spate of vigilante violence, mob lynchings, beef bans and “Ghar Wapsi” campaigns to a “breakdown of Indian values”

NEW DELHI: In his last interview before demitting the office of India's vice-president, Hamid Ansari has said that Muslims in the country were experiencing "a feeling of unease".
"A sense of insecurity is creeping in" as a result of the dominant mood created by some and the resultant intolerance and vigilantism, he added. Ansari also said he shared the view of many that intolerance was growing. In hard-hitting remarks during an interview to Rajya Sabha TV, he ascribed the spate of vigilante violence, mob lynchings, beef bans and "Ghar Wapsi" campaigns to a "breakdown of Indian values" and to the "breakdown of the ability of the authorities" to enforce the law. "...and overall, the very fact that (the) Indianness of any citizen (is) being questioned is a disturbing thought," Ansari said.
Asked in an interview why he thought Indian values were "suddenly" breaking down, Vice-President Hamid Ansari answered: "Because we are a plural society that for centuries, not for 70 years, has lived in a certain ambience of acceptance."
He said this acceptance was "under threat". "This propensity to be able to assert your nationalism day in and day out is unnecessary. I am an Indian and that is it," he told Rajya Sabha TV.
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ముసల్మానుల్లో అభద్రతా భావం : హమీద్ అన్సారీ

ముసల్మానుల్లో అభద్రతా భావం : హమీద్ అన్సారీ
10-08-2017 19:39:40

న్యూఢిల్లీ : పదవీ విరమణ చేయబోతున్న ఉప రాష్ట్రపతి హమీద్ అన్సారీ సంచలన వ్యాఖ్యలు చేశారు. భారతదేశంలో ముస్లింలు అభద్రతా భావంతో ఆందోళన చెందుతున్నారని చెప్పారు. ఆయన ఉప రాష్ట్రపతి పదవిలో ఉంటూ ఇచ్చిన చివరి మీడియా ఇంటర్వ్యూలో ఈ వ్యాఖ్యలు చేశారు. ఆయన పదవీ కాలం శుక్రవారంతో ముగుస్తుంది. తదుపరి ఉప రాష్ట్రపతిగా ఎం వెంకయ్య నాయుడు ప్రమాణ స్వీకారం చేస్తారు.

రాజ్యసభ టీవీకి గురువారం ఇచ్చిన ఇంటర్వ్యూలో హమీద్ అన్సారీ మాట్లాడుతూ అసహనం అంశాన్ని ప్రదాన మంత్రి నరేంద్ర మోదీతోపాటు ఆయన మంత్రివర్గ సహచరుల వద్ద తాను ప్రస్తావించానని చెప్పారు. ప్రజల భారతీయతను ప్రశ్నించడం ఆందోళనకర విషయమని తెలిపారు. అయితే తాను ప్రధానితో చర్చించిన విషయాలపై గోప్యత పాటించవలసి ఉంటుందన్నారు.

మోదీ ప్రభుత్వం నుంచి ఎలాంటి స్పందన వచ్చిందని అడిగినపుడు అన్సారీ స్పందిస్తూ ఏ విషయానికైనా వివరణ ఉంటుందని, అదేవిధంగా కారణం కూడా ఉంటుందని చెప్పారు. ఇప్పుడు తీర్పు గురించి మాట్లాడుకుంటే, వివరణను అంగీకరిస్తే, కారణాలను అంగీకరించినట్లేనని, అదే తార్కిక ప్రాతిపదిక అవుతుందని వ్యాఖ్యానించారు.

ముస్లింలకు వ్యతిరేకంగా వస్తున్న వ్యాఖ్యల ఫలితంగా వారిలో అభద్రతా భావం ఏర్పడిందా? ముస్లింలు భయాందోళనలో ఉన్నారన్న వాదనతో ఏకీభవిస్తారా? అని ప్రశ్నించినపుడు హమీద్ అన్సారీ స్పందిస్తూ అది సరైనదేనని తెలిపారు. దేశంలోని వివిధ వర్గాల ద్వారా తాను విన్నదాన్నిబట్టి వాస్తవమేనన్నారు. తాను బెంగళూరులో, అదేవిధంగా దేశంలోని ఇతర ప్రాంతాల్లో, మరీ ముఖ్యంగా ఉత్తరాదిలో ఈ అంశంపై తెలుసుకున్నదానినిబట్టి, ముసల్మానుల్లో ఆందోళన, అభద్రతా భావాలు నెమ్మదిగా పాకుతున్నాయన్నారు.

తాము కావలసినవాళ్ళం కాదనే భావన ముస్లింలలో మొదలైందా? అని అడిగినపుడు అన్సారీ సమాధానమిస్తూ తాను అంత దూరం వెళ్ళబోనన్నారు. అయితే అభద్రతా భావం ఉందని చెప్పగలనన్నారు. భారతదేశం శతాబ్దాలుగా పరస్పర అంగీకారం, ఆమోదంగల వాతావరణంలో కొనసాగుతున్నదని, దీనికి ఇప్పుడు ముప్పు ఏర్పడిందని చెప్పారు.

జాతీయవాదాన్ని రోజూ చాటుకోవాల్సిన అవసరం లేదన్నారు. ‘‘నేను భారతీయుడిని, అంతే’’ అన్నారు. సహనం అనేది మంచి లక్షణమేనని, అయితే అది మాత్రమే సరిపోదన్నారు. దాని కన్నా మరో అడుగు ముందుకు వేయాలన్నారు. సహనం నుంచి అంగీకారానికి ఎదగాలన్నారు.