Vote of Thought, Not Fear — When Will the Indian Muslim Awaken?

Shabu Zaidi
When we turn the pages of post-independence history, one question repeatedly arises in the heart — when will Muslims finally make political decisions based on wisdom and understanding, instead of following the signals of others?
During the time of Partition, many prominent leaders sold dreams in the name of religion. Pakistan was created, but those who migrated there from India are still called “Muhajirs” (migrants). Even today, reports of discrimination, violence, and neglect against them continue to emerge.
What greater lesson can there be than this: leaders who practice politics based only on emotions do not build the future of a community — they merely use it.
In India too, for decades, some self-proclaimed leaders have controlled Muslim votes through mosques, public platforms, and religious sentiments — sometimes through fear, sometimes in the name of faith. But the real question is: will Muslims remain only a vote bank forever?
Should they not also think about the education of their children, employment, business opportunities, dignity, and progress?
Why is such a large section of our community still limited to identities like “Abdul the puncture repairman,” “Kallu the butcher,” or daily wage laborers, while those who do politics in our name live luxurious lives?
Why are there more speeches than schools in our neighborhoods?
Why are we made emotional, but not empowered?
God has blessed human beings with the greatest gift — intellect.
The Quran repeatedly asks: “Do you not use your intellect?”
Allah gave humans not only eyes, ears, and speech, but above all, the ability to think — because without intellect, all other blessings remain incomplete.
A famous saying of Ali ibn Abi Talib states:
“The greatest wealth is wisdom, and the greatest poverty is ignorance.”
Therefore, the time has come for Indian Muslims to:
Vote on the basis of development, not fear.
Stay away not only from those who spread hatred, but also from those who emotionally manipulate them.
Choose leaders who speak about education, employment, security, and dignity.
Stop sacrificing the future of coming generations for religious slogans.
Remember:
A community that does not make decisions through its own wisdom will have its decisions made by others.
Now is the time to awaken, to study, to understand, and to recognize the value of your vote.
Because a vote is not just a button — it is the destiny of future generations.