Hyderabad, Feb 27 (INN): The representatives of several prominent Muslim organisations and other political leaders on Thursday demanded political reservation for Muslim community in Telangana State.
Addressing a Round Table Conference on "Future of Muslims in Telangana" organised by the Telangana Muslims Joint Action Committee (TMJAC) here on Thursday, the Muslim leaders stressed the need for political empowerment of the community in the new State of Telangana. They said if a Sikh (Dr Manmohan Singh), whose community constitute just 2% of the total population, could become Prime Minister, then why a Muslim, who are about 18% in Telangana, cannot become the Chief Minister of Telangana. The conference was attended by Muslims leaders from all 10 districts of Telangana.
Delivering the key note address, Moulana Hamed Hussain Shattari asked the community to should restrain from indulging in emotional and communal politics. Instead, the community should make a comprehensive plan for its political empowerment.
In his presidential address, TMJAC President Mushtaq Mallik said that Muslims constitute about 17-18% of the total population in Telangana region and they should get adequate share in power. He said Muslims should focus on strategic voting as no political party could ignore their importance in next elections. He claimed that Muslim candidates could comfortably win at least 24 Assembly seats if they contest strategically. Similarly, at least three Lok Sabha seats can be won by Muslim candidates.
Mushtaq Mallik demanded that all political parties allocate sufficient number of tickets to Muslim candidates. He also appealed to the Muslims to vote for powerful Muslim candidates, irrespective of the parties that they represent.
The TMJAC leaders demanded that the post of Deputy Chief Minister and three berths in Telangana Cabinet should be reserved for Muslims. It also demanded 12% reservation for Muslims in jobs and education. The Wakf properties under the control of Lanco, Viceroy Hotel and RGAI should be restored and in cases where restoration is not possible, then Wakf Board should be given shares/partnership in those institutions.
Further, the TMJAC leaders also demanded first language status to Urdu along with Telugu in entire Telangana. Urdu should also be linked to employment.
TRS MLC Mahmood Ali assured that he would take up the demands of Muslims in the region with the TRS leadership and all important demands would be included in his party's manifesto.
The conference was also addressed by Mufti Nadeem, TRS Politburo member Ibrahim, TMJAC General Secretary Raheemullah Khan Niazi, Khaled Rasool Khan of All India Muslim Sangham, Mazhar Shaheed of Indian Union Muslim League, Syed Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed of Welfare Party of India, Arshad Hussain of Aam Aadmi Party, Khursheed Begum of AP Mahila Congress, Shahbaz Ali Khan of Mehedvia Movement and other leaders. (INN)
