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Ali M Shamsi (in centre)
with Abu Asim Azmi and Mrs. Fauzia Khan on his sides all ears during
the program
(Photo: Obaid Khan) |
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Mumbai:
What Muslims in India are lacking in since independence is a
joint, persistent and vociferous effort to bring the government to
its knees. However, looking at the tone during yesterday’s program
to felicitate Muslim Ministers, MLCs and MLAs in Maharashtra held at Hajj
House in Mumbai, it seems, if not the majority at least a section in
the community has realized this fact and are firmly up-in-arms to break the ice.
“The time has come for
you all to work jointly for the Muslim cause and issues”, people
from more than hundred NGOs urged the Muslim Ministers, MLCs and MLAs yesterday in a determined and uncompromising tone even
as the crowd that exceeded the capacity of the huge Hajj House
auditorium nodded in agreement.
“Normally, a Muslim
Member of Assembly does not raise the issues relating to the
community in the house. Even if someone takes an effort to do so,
his voice is either ignored or suppressed by other members. This happens because they know
that the Muslim members lack unanimity. This is repeated again and
again since last many years”, speakers observed.
“Why Muslim leaders fail
to take a united stand when we see members from other parties coming
together on issues that concern their people?”, they asked.
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Ameen Patel -
Chairman Maulana Azad Corporation and Mumbai MLA speaking at the
program.
(Photo: Obaid
Khan) |
Arguing that
government's failure in putting an end to the communal riots and
violence against minorities in India, chiefly in Maharshtra, has caused enormous harm to the country and particularly to the
Muslims, the forum wondered, "To address this important issue,
Justice Srikrishna in his recommendations has suggested to increase
the representation of minorities in police department. However,
nothing in this regard is seen so far."
The other issues that
figured during the discussion were recommendations by the Mahmoodur Rahman Committee for Urdu Schools, Ranganath Mishra
Commission's recommendations, misuse of the wakf lands, lack of
amenities in Muslim localities, harassment of the community by
officials and police, illegal occupation of Ismail Yusuf College
land in Mumbai and lack of interest on the part of the government to
implement Prime Minister's 15-point program for minorities.
“Through this forum, we
appeal to all Muslim leaders, cutting across political parties or
ideologies, to come together in support of the community and
announce a deadline for taking swift initiatives with the help of
the present government in the state. If needed, work with the state
in preparing a blueprint on the issues requiring urgent attention”, the
speakers stressed.
Preparations for this
meeting was on ever since the new government took shape in Mumbai.
“Besides felicitating
the Muslim representatives, the primary purpose of yesterday’s
meeting was to make them realize and aware of the issues we are
forced to live with”, said Salim Alware one of the organizers while
speaking to ummid.com.
“The fact is that there
are always Muslim ministers and MLAs in every government. But if we
look at the list of the problems, we find that hardly any issue is
addressed seriously while the problems keep on accumulating with
every passing day”, he added.
'Leaders accept lapses'
On their parts, Muslim
leaders present in the program cleverly came to the occasion and agreed
that they failed in coming to the expectations of the community.
“Yes, I am sorry! We do
politics but for our ‘masters’ and parties. We will have to stop
doing the politics of Sandesh", said Baba Siddiqui - Congress
MLA from Mumbai adding, "The sooner we make a change in ourselves,
the batter it will be for all."
On the other hand, Minister of Textiles
and Minority Department Arif Naseem Khan while welcoming the
initiative taken by the Muslim NGOs promised every support
for the Muslim cause.
“We are in the
government as your representatives and are bound to work for the
solution of the issues facing the community”, he said.
“However”, he added,
“We also need the support from the community. When we fight with the
government we should get a feeling that the community is firmly
behind us.”
The program ended with
a unanimous decision to constitute a monitoring body comprising all
the participants. This body will coordinate between the Muslim Ministers, MLCs
and MLAs and NGOs, and also as a pressure group.
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