But like somebody noted, there's nothing "Hindu" about India's print media. Unlike mainstream television media – the so-called 'Godi Media’, which heard Ali and spread ‘doomsday’. BJP spokespersons picked it from there and said the remarks were “unacceptable” and that the SP must issue an unconditional apology.

Samajwadi Party spokespersons asked if the BJP agreed with 72-year-old Mehboob Ali, who has been minister in several Samajwadi Party governments. The police of Yogi Adityanath responded. Mehboob Ali was booked for saying “Muslim population is increasing and Bharatiya Janata Party rule will come to an end soon." The video of Mehboob Ali mouthing these words at a public gathering in Bijnor went viral: "You will surely go, and we will come.” The Bijnor Police lodged a complaint under sections 196 (1) (promoting enmity between different groups) and 353 (2) (public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). So, what should be made of Mehboob Ali's comments and the BJP's reaction on the eve of bypolls in Uttar Pradesh and assembly elections in Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand?

The BJP considers itself a "Hindu nationalist party", betrayed by Muslim-labarthis in the recently held Lok Sabha elections. Muslim voters of Uttar Pradesh took all the welfare schemes of Modi but voted for the 'Samajwadi Party'. “Further legal action is underway as per law,” said Bijnor DSP Sangram Singh. Will that save the BJP in the UP elections of 2027, stop Muslim votes from submerging Hindu votes?

The BJP has yet to clarify why the Samajwadi Party should issue an apology, an apology for what, for Mehboob Ali to say what he felt? Mehboob Ali was speaking at "Samvidhan Raksha Sammelan", and the ‘Samvidhan’ guarantees freedom of expression and speech. The BJP and the Bijnor Police say the statement is objectionable and accentuates the Hindu-Muslim divide. But Mehboob Ali cannot be told to shut up however much the BJP or the Hindu rightwing do not like the sound of his words.

Akhilesh Yadav kept his distance from Mehboob Ali's words, but Ali only spoke what Akhilesh could not. That Akhilesh Yadav sometimes speaks, dresses and behaves like a Muslim isn't new, what is intriguing is that non-Muslim politicians of secular political parties are unaware that "Muslim population is increasing" with implications in the long-run.

Mehboob Ali's descendants could and would tell Akhilesh Yadav's descendants to "make way brother, our time has come!" This was ordained at the midnight hour on August 15 when secular India gained freedom. In the euphoria of independence, a future "tryst with destiny" never struck anybody. Mehboob Ali's words, like them or not, speak of certainty.

Ali did not speak of Yogi Adityanath's rule, he spoke of "over 800 years of Mughal rule." Only a foolish Indian will believe Muslim Indians don't think of a Muslim becoming Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh or Prime Minister of India? Why doesn’t a Muslim say this in so many words? Why do Muslims limit themselves to “Chief Minister-makers” and “Prime Minister-makers”?

Is it because of a lack of confidence? Is it the DNA? Indian Muslims are not direct descendants of the Mughal, the Khilji, Tughlak and Sher Shah Suri. Did all those with the DNA to rule leave for Pakistan? What about "historical memory"? Deep down Muslims must remember they ruled the subcontinent "for over 800 years". Now with "electoral democracy" there is a need for "increasing population" to propel to power.

The Mughal, the Khilji and the Tughlak snatched power with the sword. Mehboob Ali has only "increasing Muslim population" to rely on – whether to send Yogi Adityanath packing or for Muslims to come to power at the Centre. World trends support Mehboob Ali. Pew and other researchers speak of Islam “the fastest growing religion".

Mehboob Ali spoke the truth. The "demographic shift would favour" the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party in 2027, but it will also favour Muslims in the long-term. One day, the Gandhi dynasty, the Yadav dynasty and the Lalu dynasty will all fall to the "increasing Muslim population". To say that Mehboob Ali only drew "a parallel between the BJP and Mughal Empire" is missing the woods for the tree.

Point is, if "the Mughals, who ruled for over 800 years are no longer around, what makes you think Hindu secular rule will last with increasing Muslim population?" The complainant against Mehboob Ali is a Hindu police sub-inspector, who in his FIR wrote that Ali made "inflammatory remarks that spread animosity between the Hindu and Muslim communities." The FIR did not speak of "increasing Muslim population in Uttar Pradesh."

What Mehboob Ali said was: “Your (BJP) rule will come to an end. Population of Muslims is increasing. We will come to power. Mughals ruled for 800 years, they could not last. Those who are burning the country must note that the people have woken up. They gave a reply in Parliament (elections). In the coming times, in 2027, you (the BJP) will surely go, and we will come.” The “2027” just kind of slipped in; the reality is, Indian Muslims have woken up to some home-truths! (IPA Service)