These developments have taken centre stage as the state gears up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The catalyst for this change has been the controversial early release of Muslim prisoners, which has become a hot-button issue. In this article, we explore the unfolding political drama surrounding this issue. Several political parties in Tamil Nadu have begun to focus their efforts on courting the Muslim vote, a community constituting approximately 6% of the state’s population. The AIADMK, in particular, is making strides to rekindle its relationship with the Muslim electorate after a period of distance from the BJP, a move that had alienated them in the state.
The Demand for Premature Release of Islamist Prisoners
Most political parties, including fringe groups and fundamentalist forces, have thrown their weight behind the early release of Muslim prisoners, even those convicted of terrorism and anti-national activities. This shift is ironic considering that these same political parties had previously opposed labeling them as “Muslim terrorists,” advocating against any form of religious or caste-based categorisation.
This change in stance has been made evident as the issue of early release of “Muslim prisoners” found resonance in the state Assembly, with almost all parties, except the BJP, raising the demand for their release. This debate included the release of 36 Muslim prisoners, 16 of whom were involved in the 1998 Coimbatore bomb blast, a tragic event that saw 58 fatalities and 250 injuries in multiple bomb explosions. Chief Minister MK Stalin disclosed that a list of 49 eligible life-term prisoners had been selected, and recommendations for their release were submitted to Governor R.N. Ravi for approval.
Protests and Demonstrations by Islamist Organisations
Taking advantage of the growing political support for their cause, Muslim organisations have organized daily protests to draw attention to the issue. Led by the Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi (MJK), protesters gathered outside the Triplicane mosque in Chennai, fervently demanding the release of the 36 Muslim prisoners. Thameemul Ansari, the leader of MJK and Nagapattinam MLA, criticized the DMK government for shifting blame onto Governor Ravi regarding the prisoner release issue. He called for a resolution to release the prisoners under Article 161 in the Assembly, suggesting that they be granted leave from prison until this decision is reached, citing similar precedents in other cases.
BJP’s Stance on Terrorism and the Political Fray
The BJP’s state president, K. Annamalai, firmly opposed the premature release of what he referred to as “terrorists,” cautioning against categorizing them based on religion. He stressed the party’s belief that no one should be released, refraining from using the term “Muslims” to describe these individuals.
As the issue gains momentum, the TMJ also organised a demonstration in Triplicane, though the police intervened and halted their progress toward the state Assembly. Thameemul Ansari and other members of the outfit were detained by the police, and from the police van, Ansari communicated with the media. He reiterated his call for the Tamil Nadu government to pass a resolution in the Assembly for the prisoners’ release under Article 161 and demanded that they be provided with temporary leave from incarceration, in line with norms followed for other cases. Ansari clarified that their protests were not aimed at the state government or in favor of any political party.
Counterarguments and Rebuttals
In response to the BJP’s opposition, Thameemul Ansari pointed out that during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister, an Air India flight was hijacked by Afghan terrorists, leading to the Indian government’s handover of the arrested terrorists as part of a negotiation. He argued that the BJP had no authority to speak on the issue, citing instances like the premature release of rape convicts in the Bilkis Bano case by the Gujarat government.
The political landscape in Tamil Nadu has been evolving, with the early release of Muslim prisoners becoming a pivotal issue for various political parties, including the AIADMK, in their bid to secure minority support. The controversy surrounding the release of these prisoners, including those convicted of terrorism, has led to heated debates, protests, and demonstrations, highlighting the complexity of religious and political dynamics in the state. As Tamil Nadu prepares for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the fate of these prisoners remains a point of contention and a test of the state’s political future.
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