My dear Muhtamim Saheb,
Assalamu Alaikum
I am surprised to see that the Darul Uloom, Deoband has advised Muslim to remain completely neutral in the elections, as a theological centre which had no business with politics.  However, in many constituencies spread in many states there is bound to be a direct fight between a secular party or alliance on one hand and a communal party or alliance on the other.  I appreciate that the Darul Uloom should maintain political neutrality among various secular parties but how it can profess neutrality in seculars communal situations are desist from advising Muslims that they should vote for a secular party.
I am aware of the fact that there are communal elements within every secular party and there may be some secular individuals even in a communal party but taking an overview it is imperative to make a distinction between a secular party and a communal party.
After 60 years of participation in democratic politics Muslims have come to the conclusion that instead of submitting long memoranda and charters of demands to the political parties they should focus on one or two issues which are of highest concern to them.  As you are aware, the Sachar Committee came to the conclusion that the Muslims are as backward as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and more backward than the non-Muslim OBCs.  In view of this the Muslims have welcomed the recommendations of the Mishra Commission in favour of 15% reservation for minorities of which 10% reserved exclusively for Muslims.  This reservation for Muslims has therefore become the litmus test for secularism, which in essence means non-discrimination by the state against Muslims. Who constitute a Backward Class. 
We therefore request you that in accordance with the Resolution adopted by the National Convention on Muslim Reservation held in New Delhi on 1 February 2009 organized jointly by a large number of Muslim organizations, the Ulema, individually, and through their authoritative institutions like the Darul Uloom, Deoband, and the Nadvatul Ulema, Lucknow should advise the Muslims to vote for a secular party which supports reservation for Muslims in Government employment, higher education, benefits of social development and flow of resources without which the Muslim community cannot secure social justice or equal development or participate in power.
With kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
(Syed Shahabuddin)
Maulana Marghoob-ur-Rahman,
Rector,
Darul Uloom Deoband,
Saharanpur, UP

Maulan Sayeedur Rahman Azmi,
Rector,
Nadwatul Ulema Lucknow,
P.B. No. 93, Tagore Marg,
Lucknow – 226007 (UP)