Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jan 11: The recent gram panchayat elections saw the local units of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) performing quite well, garnering well over a hundred seats. It is generally acknowledged both by the Congress and the BJP that by fielding its candidates, especially in Muslim-majority constituencies, the SDPI often plays 'spoilsport' for the Congress, benefiting the BJP in turn. Both the national parties have time and again accused the SDPI of being the B-team of the rival party. Despite this, not many people are familiar with the core ideology of the SDPI and what it aims to achieve as a political party.

In an in-depth interview with Daijiworld editor-in-chief, Walter Nandalike on Daijiworld 24x7 channel's 'Rough and Right' programme, SDPI leader and national committee member Riyaz Farangipet speaks candidly on his party, controversies and political strategies.

DW: The main slogan of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) is 'Freedom from Hunger, Freedom from Fear'. In what context is the word 'fear' used here?

Riyaz: Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) is a political party formed on the basis of the Indian Constitution. 'Freedom from Hunger, Freedom from Fear' is our slogan. Here, SDPI does not fear anyone. Our party workers and the team is formed on the basis of the Indian Constitution and democracy, after educating and creating awareness on the law of the land. There are several kinds of fear in society. The word 'hunger' here does not mean only satisfying the physical need. 'Hunger' here means the need for education. A few communities are still deprived of education. It also means there is a need for employment in the country. Hunger also means there is still a scarcity of food. The word 'fear' here refers to how the police are favouring politicians when it comes to the protection of the law. The terror activities of Sangha Parivar and their terrorising acts - the society suffers from several such types of fear. This is a concept to bring the victims and the oppressed out from fear. When we list the reasons for the problems prevalent in the country, it is either hunger or fear. People can lead a peaceful life only if there is freedom from hunger and freedom from fear.

DW: You said that Sangha Parivar creates fear in society. BJP is also an affiliate of the Sangha Parivar. Also, there is an allegation that SDPI is supporting the BJP. Political leaders have termed SDPI as a 'B-team' or 'agent' of BJP or an 'agent'. During the elections, you seem to support the BJP, but now you are criticising them. What is this dual stand?

Riyaz: Cooperation means either we should stand in favour of BJP with an understanding, or holding a meeting with them. This process is called cooperation. The people who accuse us of being the 'B-team' of BJP are those whose political base has started to tremble, for example, the Congress. Congress is facing loss due to SDPI's presence. Hence, because of this loss, they will claim that SDPI is BJP's 'B-team'.Those parties who stand to lose their vote bank due to SDPI will term SDPI as 'B-team' of BJP. On other hand, BJP claims Congress and SDPI are two sides of a coin. All these things are common in politics. But SDPI is an independent party. We are not at anyone's mercy. SDPI is a party that has come forward to save the beauty of democracy of this country.

DW: Is SDPI confined only to one community? And is it contesting elections only in Muslim-dominated areas?

Riyaz: In the Dakshina Kannada district we have won 171 seats. Thirty-two people were from other communities. When people from various communities join us, this ratio will change. As of now, the number of Muslims are more in the party. SDPI is open for all. We have not confined ourselves to a single community. Anyone can join us, irrespective of religion, caste etc. Brahmins or Dalits also can join SDPI. We treat everyone equally. We will not ill-treat anyone. We know of such unfair treatment in other political parties, although now things have changed. Those who point finger at us, please come join us, see our activities and our work. If our activities are against the system, advise us regarding it, instead of standing away and criticizing us.

DW: The allegation here is, SDPI is bringing their candidates into the fray in Muslim majority areas, which will favour BJP and prove disastrous for Congress. For example, there is an allegation that Asaduddin Owaisi helped BJP in Bihar and other states. Is SDPI helping Karnataka in BJP?

Riyaz: In politics loss and gains are common. In some instances, due to Congress BJP has gained. In UP Yogi Adityanath's government came to power due to the Congress. Congress without supporting SP and BSP contested independently, as result BJP won more than 150 seats. Congress indirectly was responsible for the victory of BJP. Well if the question is whether Congress is the B team of BJP? Owaisi was used as a tool but the Congress was responsible for helping BJP get more seats in Bihar.

DW: Who is the real political opponent to SDPI? BJP or Congress?

Riyaz: Our prominent political opponent is BJP. We will define them as the prominent enemy. SDPI's prominent enemy is BJP. But, why Congress is facing problems from us is because Congress has become BJP's war shield. Being a war shield, the Congress has protected BJP for the past 70 years. So, the shield is receiving powerful hits. In future, if we remove this 'shield', SDPI will be able to take BJP head-on.

DW: Is SDPI upset with UT Khader or Congress?

Riyaz: We do not have hatred towards anyone. We only dislike the Sangh Parivar and RSS. It is not personal grudge but social enmity. They are against the Constitution and democracy. They are waiting to break the democratic system. They are trying to replace the Constitution with Manusmriti. They show more affection towards Bhagava Dwaja, instead of the Indian flag. In the interest of society, our main enemy is BJP. UT Khader or the Congress are not our foes but political opponents during elections.

DW: Several state and national media reported that SDPI workers raised pro-Pakistan slogans in Ujire during the vote-counting process, what is your say on this?

Riyaz: There is no link between SDPI and Pakistan. But, when contemplating on BJP's past, there is a connection between BJP and Pakistan. There are incidents of BJP workers being arrested in Jharkhand, Rajasthan for sharing internal secrets of the country to Pakistan. The accused were even convicted in those cases. Under Vajpayee's tenure, bus service started to Karachi. Narendra Modi who went to Pakistan had biriyani there. Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat termed Ullal is like Pakistan. RSS activists had hoisted Pakistan flag in Sindagi, following which they were caught. How can the SDPI workers shout slogans? What is the benefit for SDPI or for Muslims by raising pro-Pakistan slogans? It is only a loss. BJP has political gains in these issues. BJP workers try to create unrest by raising pro-Pakistan slogans during Rahul Gandhi's visit to Palakkad. Proper legal action should be taken against those who raise pro-Pakistan slogans. But, charging innocents in police cases is not fair. In such sensitive issues, the police department should hold an unbiased probe into the matter. There are possibilities where the video is doctored. After holding a detailed probe, only then the accused should be arrested. When accused belongs to the Muslim community, the process of arrest is done immediately. However, when the accused is an activist of a pro-Hindu organisation, the probe is delayed. Due to the occurrence of such instances, the police department needs to be suspected. The same has happened in Ujire. Still, we demand that the police department, without any political pressures, conduct an unbiased probe. Role of BJP and Sangh Parivar will be exposed in the case of Ujire as well and people will also come to know the truth.

DW: You had alleged that a member of BJP raised a pro-Pakistan slogan, do you have any say on this?

Riyaz: There will be allegations and counter-allegations. The police department should bring the truth out and they have all the latest technology to help them. We urge the police to discard the mentality where they feel they should work on the directions of the MLA, the minister in charge or the BJP state president.

DW: There are allegations that SDPI is provoking terrorist activities? Few say that SDPI is a part of the banned PFI. Leaders from different political parties are also alleging this.

Riyaz: Terrorism is a process of creating fear among society. Who is responsible for carrying out a procession by holding swords during Vijayadashami? Who killed people through mob lynching and demonstrating lethal weapons during the Ayudha Pooja? Are they not terrorists? SDPI was not involved in such activities. People in the country are aware as to who are terrorists. Muzaffarnagar incident, Gujarat riots are the biggest acts of terrorism. Those who are hurling accusations against SDPI are the ones who have been involved in the massacre. They are aware that SDPI is not as soft as Congress. Congress may accept Hindutva but SDPI cannot accept it.

DW: The CPI(M) leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan termed that SDPI is ‘an Indian version of the Islamic State’. What do you have to say about that?

Riyaz: He should introspect about his own party. When there is a history of massacres in Congress, Muslim League and BJP, why point finger at SDPI. Eventually, people will come to know the truth and how transparent our party is.

DW: Do communists in Kerala fear SDPI?

Riyaz: Maybe. In future, if we grow, they will lose their base. All these criticisms will help us. We need not spend money on marketing, criticism from MP Shobha Karandlaje, UT Khader or the communist party will publicize our party.

DW: What is your opinion on SDPI's role in riots that took place in Bengaluru or violence in Mangaluru over NRC row? Will you say that SDPI has no role to play in these cases?

Riyaz: Absolutely. Everything should go as per law of the land prevailing the country. We cannot call the accused a culprit under our law. There are allegations and cases and we are ready to enter into a legal battle against these accusations. The truth will come out. Even police will have to submit proper evidence, but there will not be any evidence to provide as SDPI was not involved in these cases. In regard to the violence in Bengaluru, I have spoken directly to several officers. The police respond by saying 'Try to understand us', what do they mean 'understand us'. Even in the Ujire incident, their words were 'please understand us there is a pressure on us'. If anyone has committed offence let them take action. What is the connection between the police firing in Mangaluru and SDPI? Our party has not given a call for such protests. In the violence that took place in Mangaluru, the then police commissioner Dr Harsha had called up our district president Abdul Jaleel Krishnapura to the spot and later booked him in 17 cases. What kind of justice is this? Such kind of things should be stopped. Political interference in police cases should stop.

DW: How will it be possible for SDPI to secure 171 seats in Dakshina Kannada?

Riyaz: People have started to identify our party. There was no alternate option for the suppressed section of society. Even during the pandemic, our party workers extended help by providing ration and it was not something done for publicity. There is another such instance where the SDPI party workers stepped in to help and that is the flood situation in Beltangady. With help from donors, we provided shelter to the victims. Given the social concern we ensured the facilities of government reach the people, we even formed teams, information and empowerment centres in many areas. Through these centres, we have provided various information about the government facilities and people have recognised our efforts.

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