By james art 
“Bolega Okhla, Jetega Insaf“(Okla will speak, justice will win) Sing Nurine Fatima, a leading emotionally loaded campaign in Akla, Delhi, where the elections for the National Assembly are forthcoming. Cools, with a predominantly Muslim population, is still full of memories of the riots in 2020, which killed 53 people (38 Muslims and 15 Hindus). Delhi police arrest students and activists.
Fatima is campaigning for his prisoners of spouse and activist against the CAA Amendment Act (CAA), Schiffa Ur Rehman, who was nominated by All India Majlis-E-Nittehadul Muslimeen (Aimim) boss for a race. Rehman, accused of the Delhi riots conspiracy, has been in prison since April 2020; He faces accusations of a pre -planned plot to instruct riots in Northeast Delhi while he was president of the Jamia Millia Islamia Graduate Association, the allegations that he and his supporters deny. “We couldn’t get justice in the courts,” says Fatima to voters with unwavering determination, “but we believe you will deliver it to the ballot box.”
Her words are echoed through the alleys of cools, which are lined with posters seeking justice for “unlawful imprisonment.” Many are excited about his application, as he, as he, a minority. Gul Bano, an elderly resident of Shahin Bag in Cools and a participant in protests against CAA, said, “He (Rehman) is one of us, someone who stood up when others were silent.”
Shaheen Bagh of Okhla, the epicenter of a historically led by women’s protest against CAA five years ago, is again echoed with calls for justice. CAA, widely perceived by Muslims as a discriminatory law, was introduced during the second term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Basion of the Congress from 1998 to 2013, the Okhla electoral district has now become a fortress of AAP, partly because of the focus of the party on the problems of local development, from education to healthcare. Most believe that AAP is the only party that can potentially prevent BJP from taking over the Assembly in Delhi.
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BJP, on the other hand, appointed Manish Chaudi of Okhla, a relative outsider aimed at consolidating the party’s Hindu election base while trying to make his way to the Muslim community. The BJP campaign focuses on Development for All, but faces skepticism because of the party association with policies perceived as Antimuslim.
The Congress has appointed Ariba Khan, the daughter of Asif Mohammad Khan, an experienced leader of the congress with deep ties in the area. Arica is also an advisor to the Delhi Municipal Corporation.
Ovisi’s visit to Cools led to more support, but there is also an element of pragmatism among voters. “Owasi’s speeches, ideologies and commitment to Indian Muslims are impressive. But the bigger picture is to beat BJP and only AAP can do it, “says Fahim Kureshi, who lives in Okla Vihar.
Mustafabad
Another constituency with a Muslim majority and a place of ardent protests against CAA in 2020, riots, death, vandalism, arson and arrests of activists is Mustafabad in Northeast Delhi. The electoral sentiment was shaped by these events. Here Aimim brought Tahir Hussein, another imprisoned activist (arrested five years ago on charges of illegal activities [Prevention] Act in connection with the riots in Delhi in 2020). Perhaps one of the most controversial figures in these elections, former AAP adviser, Hussein, was removed from the party after being accused of killing IB officer Ankit Sharma and inciting riots.
Graffiti “Without CAA/NRC/NPR” in Okla, New Delhi. | Photo: Ismat Ara
But Hussein’s wife, Shama Angum, a firm believer in his innocence, took the reins of his campaign in Mustafabad, just as Fatima did for her husband in Okla. Drawing from a personal tragedy while possessing political beliefs, Angeum tells his audience: “The accusations against him are unfounded and false. He is not a rebel. He is a victim. ” Posters claiming that Hussein is innocent, glued to the streets of Mustafabad, say, “Innocent until proven otherwise”, hinting at politically motivated arrests.
“It’s not just about elections; It’s about restoring our dignity, ”said Nafis Ahmad, owner of a local store. But other voters doubt whether Hussein’s legal problems would overshadow his ability to effectively represent the electoral area.
Mustafabad, with a Muslim population, nearly 40 percent and pockets of Dalite and Hindu voters, has a history of neglect, with poor infrastructure, lack of healthcare facilities and high levels of unemployment. AAP has been occupied by 2015 and her candidate Adil Ahmad Han promises “educated, developed and safe voters.”
Critics, however, say AAP has failed to cope with the rehabilitation of voters after the riots. Meanwhile, the Congress, which once ruled Mustafabad, is trying to return. Their candidate is Ali Mehdi, a local leader with a strong public network. BJP, a distant competitor, raised its five -time legislator, Mohan Singh Bisht, from the electoral area, which doubled the promises of “justice” to the victims of the Hindu community.
A look at the bjp
The choice of Aimim of Reman and Hussein as his two candidates, entangled in contradictions, undoubtedly hit a string, causing a strong emotional reaction from Muslim voters. But it also created a political puzzle: the risk of fragmentation of the Muslim vote. “I admire Owai and Rehman about their courage to talk about the rights of Muslims,” says Rashid Ansari, a teacher in Zakir Nagar. “But if the vote is split, BJP can win and we cannot allow this to happen.”
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Shahid Sidicui, editor of Dun And a former member of Raja Sabha, shared his insights about the changing dynamics of the Muslim vote in Delhi. Sidikui believes that while AAP won all seven Muslim -dominated places in 2020, the situation may be different in this election. “Muslims, like all voters, are influenced by the overall mood of the electorate and that mood has changed,” he said.
“The post -occupying factor works against AAP. Voters, including Muslims, are more critical of what has not been done than what is done. AAP’s image as an unoround party is tainted, especially by the central government’s actions, “he explained.
He added that while much of Muslim voters can still support AAP, a significant part can move to congress. “Congress can win a known position.”
Ismat Ara is a freelance journalist based in New Delhi. She writes about politics, gender and social issues.