A victory speech by a young woman clad in a burqa, who proclaimed: “Even in the next municipal elections after five years Inshallah, we have to give them an even stronger message and all candidates should be from AIMIM. Mumbra must be completely painted green." This has sparked fears about emerging challenges within India.

The woman at the centre of the controversy is 29-year-old Sahar Shaikh, one of the youngest corporators elected from Mumbra in the Thane Municipal Corporation elections.

Contesting on an AIMIM ticket, Sahar Shaikh won from Ward No 30, defeating candidates backed by rival NCP factions in what is considered a stronghold of four-time local MLA Jitendra Awhad in the Kalwa-Mumbra belt — an area with a dominant Muslim population. A video of her tauntingly asking, “Kaisa haraya“, with a wicked gleam in her eye and a contemptuous smirk has gone viral on social media.

The lurking fear, however, is about her declaration to “paint all of Mumbra green" during her five-year term. Adding fuel to the fire was another supporting remark by hardcore fundamentalist AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel, who said: “Not just Mumbra, will make entire Maharashtra green."

Weaponising deliberately designed galloping population to subvert democracy is the latest tool in use in many parts of India where Muslims reside. Ninety minority concentration districts, 710 minority concentration blocks, and 66 minority concentration towns have been identified based on both population data and backwardness parameters of Census 2001. The situation is likely graver now, and results will be in the public domain once India’s 16th official population census, expected to be the most comprehensive and the first fully digital, is released in 2027.

While India was deliberating on the threat posed by Sahar and Jaleel, in Kerala, governor Rajendra Arlekar, while inaugurating the 13th International Anglo-Indian Reunion on January 11, disclosed that he does not subscribe to the concepts of “majority" and “minority." He said all citizens of the country are equal and there is no need to differentiate among communities.

“I personally do not approve of the concept of majority and minority. We are citizens of the same country. Why should we differentiate ourselves?" Arlekar asked.

He said while some sections may face certain problems, the solution........

© News18