By Manzar Bilal and Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net,
Patna: Four days before Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is holding an all-party meeting to ensure support for passage of the Women Reservation Bill in the coming session of the Parliament, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan yesterday reiterated their demand that without provision for sub-quota for Muslim and backward class women, the Bill will not be acceptable to them. They were addressing Jamiat Ulema conference on Muslim reservation in Patna yesterday.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (JUH) organized the massive conference here demanding the government to solve the problems confronting the Muslim community. Reservation for Muslims in education and job, quota within Women Reservation Bill for Muslim and marginalized women and implementation of Urdu language at ground level were top issues raised at the conference held at historic Gandhi Maidan last night.
A number of Muslim, social and political leaders from different parts of the country came to address the conference while thousands of people from across the state were present to listen to them. Despite a call for Bihar bandh by BJP’s youth wing ABVP a massive crowd traveled from distant areas of the state to attend the program which formally began after Maghrib and went on till late night.
Rather than speaking on the topics of the program, political leaders from different parties spent much time on blaming each other. Ironically, these leaders were given unlimited time to speak while prominent personalities who were to speak on Muslim issues either given little time or not at all. Even president of JUH Maulana Qari Usman was given few minutes at the end of the program when the auditorium looked almost empty.
Speaking on the occasion JUH leader and MP Maulana Mahmood Madni said: “To seek reservation for Muslim means to seek reservation for the country because Muslims are second largest community of the country. So, country cannot progress without progress of Muslims. In a scenario, when all other backward people are given reservation then why Muslims cannot be given that? Muslims are backward today because of government’s wrong policies. Therefore it is government’s responsibility to redress the condition of Muslims.”
Rejecting the allegation that he voted for Women Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha he said:” It is incorrect that I have voted for WRB in the Parliament. Our stand have always been that without due share for weaker section WRB will never be acceptable for us.”
Urging Muslim youths to make all efforts for the success in all fields he said: “Rights are not given but you have to get them. I mean you should create quality within yourselves and get skills of all asperse in such quality that others will be forced to give your rights and take your help unwillingly.”
On ABVP’s opposition to AMU campus in Kishnanganj he said: “AMU campus will be in the favor of all people of the region irrespective of their religions, castes and creeds then what does it mean for this opposition except foolishness? Suppose this centre is going to benefit only to Muslims then also it is in the favor of country. APJ Abul Kalam’f qualification benefited the country or not? I think these people are not well-wishers so we should aware of them and come forward to build a peaceful and beautiful India.
Addressing the gathering LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan said: “If Women Reservation Bill will be implemented in present form, it will affect the Muslims more and their number will come down from 28 to 8. Muslim should be given 10% reservation as Mishra panel recommended. They are trying to create fight between Muslims and other backward class people who are talking about giving 8% reservation to Muslims from 27% which is recommended by Mandal Commission for other backward.”
RJD chief Lalu Perasad expressed his determination to oppose Women Reservation Bill without quota for Muslim and backward women. “Our fight for WRB will continue unless quota within quota is provided. We are ready to be thrown out of parliament but not ready to favor the bill in its present form” he expressed.
Eminent social activist Sawami Agnivesh in his speech criticized those who link religions with terrorism. He also urged Muslims to follow the teachings of prophet Mohammad (PBUH). He said people should come to fight for social evils especially alcohol and dowry.
“I appreciate Nitish Kumar for his progressive works in the state but I condemn his decision to have two shops for wine in every panchayet. He has to ban on such shops otherwise people will never forgive him” he added.
On Muslim Reservation he said: “It is time for Central government to implement Ranganath Mishra Commission recommendation and stop cheating Muslims. Nitish government should also take action in this regard on the pattern of southern states.”
He also condemned ABVP for opposing AMU off-campus in Kishanganj and said they are enemy of education.
“AMU campus will not have only Muslim students then why it is being opposed by a party who is partner in government? It is nothing but dirty politics and putting barrier in the way of progressive step” he said.
Maulana Idris, president Bihar JUH demanded government to give quota for Muslim to reduce their educational and social backwardness. He demanded the state government to give Urdu its due position. “State Government should implement Urdu in all offices and department. Urdu teachers and employees should not be used for other works. Madarsa teachers should be given their due rights. Their salaries must be given at time and equal to school teachers. The construction of boundary walls for graveyards should be completed as soon as possible” he added.
National president of JUH Maulana Qari Usman, JUH general secratry Maulana Hakimuddin, Akhterul Iman, RJD MLA, Sabir Ali, Rajya Sabha MP, and many others also spoke on the occasion.