By Md Mudassir Alam,
Maulana Asrarul Haque Qasmi, first time Member of Parliament, won Kishanganj Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar in 2009 after five consecutive failures. As he is also Member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, President of All India Talimi wa Milli Foundation and Vice-President of All India Milli Council, people have high expectations from this maulana-politician. In an interview with Md. Mudassir Alam, the Congress MP talks about his work as MP and the issues his Muslim-dominated constituency is confronting.
11 months is a short period, but what challenges you faced after becoming the MP of one of the most backward districts of India?
Well, challenges were there, but I took them as personal responsibility to sort out them as soon as possible. People of Kishanganj had elected me to represent them and expect lot from me. Since the day I won, I always try to connect them like a common man, not as a political leader. I spent lots of time in understanding the problems of people and finding out the possible solutions. Besides developmental issues, I also try to change the mindset of local people by sharing good things. As majority of population is uneducated, so I always speak about the importance of education and its positive aspects. Simply, if a person is a labour, I request him not to make his sons/daughters labours. Instead I tell such people to provide basic education to their children for a bright future ahead. Besides this, I also ask people to maintain a balance between income and expenditure to pull the life easily. Usually people spend more than their limits and always remain in debt that badly affects their life. In this brief period as the MP, I have also inaugurated many projects especially the road projects. I am fully confident that in my 5 year tenure, I will bring Kishanganj right on the path of development.
You are received as a leader among Muslims, do the non-Muslims give you same favour?
Yes, of course, Kishanganj is one of the few places in the world that portrays a perfect example of brotherhood. People of Kishanganj are very simple, and they respect and love each other by keeping aside the religious and caste boundaries. I am lucky enough that I got the opportunity to represent the district in the Indian Parliament. And any one who wishes to lead the district should always strive upon maintaining brotherhood among locals, then only he can work effectively and become acceptable among locals.
Kishanganj is an educationally backward district, what initiatives you have taken to improve the situation?
Quite sad, bad true Kishanganj is lagging in the field of education. According to government statistics around 32 per cent population is educated, but in truth the percentage is far below. Currently the district has around 25 high schools, out of which only 10-12 are functioning properly. Other have bad infrastructure, no proper building and class rooms. But the good thing is Right to Education (RTE) Act is in action from April 1, 2010. Under this scheme it will be necessary to provide education to children 6 to 14 years. I personally plan to build new schools with the funds released under this act at various places in the district. The locals have to play an active role in the project and I hope free land from them. Besides this, I also have a plan to upgrade well functioning middle schools to high schools. One more thing, some portion from the funds of Indra Aawas Yojana and other projects would also be spent in education. I think if people will be educated, they can easily cop up with other problems easily. Sarva Siksha Abhyan is another project that can be utilised to improve the dismal education state in Kishanganj.
What is your contribution towards proposed Aligarh Muslim University campus in Kishanganj?
The study campus of Aligarh Muslim University in Kishanganj is nothing less than a precious gift for the educationally backward area. I have tried my best to bring the things at right place for opening of AMU campus in Kishanganj. I will not boast about myself, but it is combined effort of many people. First I would appreciate DM Kishanganj Feraque Ahmad for finding out the require 250 acres land for AMU campus. And I would specially thank Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his kind effort and providing required land that was later approved by Bihar cabinet. Sadly the issue has now taken a political colour and few sects are trying to make the way troublesome. I appeal those people not to make hue and cry on such noble work that would help all sects of the society. Hope the work on the site will initiate soon and in the coming time the study campus will change the fortune of the deprived area.
Apart from education, in which areas do you find immediate need of development?
Health, poverty and unemployment are other major issues that are badly affecting people of Kishanganj. Of course, there are two hospitals, namely Mata Gujari Medical College and Hospital (Lion’s Club) and Sadar Hospital, but still they are legging behind in proper facilities. Kishanganj needs a good hospital badly, and I hope to set up one such hospital in the district to provide proper treatment to needy people.
Poverty is another grieving issue that has been for decades. Since my victory from Kishanganj constituency, I have taken a major step and trying to reach all sects of people. In my social gatherings, I put a simple question before all “Has anyone of you ever enquired about your neighbour, whether they are going to bed with meal or not”? I found them speechless, because hardly anyone thinks about this. If we change the mindset of people to take care about neighbours, we can eradicate poverty up to some level.
Last but the most crucial, unemployment is a major concern for people of the district. For last couple of decades, people have migrated to various parts of the country for earning their livelihood. If employment opportunities would be available in Kishanganj, people don’t require to migrate to other parts of the country. There is a vast scope for small scale industries in Kishanganj and it is feasible as well. People can set up small manufacture units at nominal cost for locally available ingredients such as jute. I think women can also work in such small scale industries and manufacture small bags, carpets, etc. from jute which is produced at large scale in Kishanganj. With extra income women can contribute a lot to their husbands in running the family with ease. On the other hand, young girl as well as married women can think beyond household works especially cooking. We can change the age-old mindset by generating job opportunities in Kishanganj and it would contribute to country’s economy indirectly. I hope the Centre and state governments would take necessary steps to start-up small scale industries in Kishanganj and allot special funds to people who wish to set-up the factories.
You are talking about setting up new industries, but the tea processing plant is already existing in Kishanganj but not functioning.
I know there is a big tea processing factory near Thakurganj, but it is not functioning since its inception. In fact, the tea factory has contemporary machines that can produce various types of tea. Established by the Central government under a special plan, the tea manufacturing needs attention from Tea Board of India. If the tea board starts the tea manufacturing factory, it would generate lost of employment opportunities and the processing charges of the tea grown in Kishanganj district will eventually go down.
Road communication and electricity are other two important areas of concern, what is your take?
I admit road communication and electricity are two areas of concern for Kishanganj. I have flagged off many road related projects under Pradhan Mantari Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and also led the foundation of bridges. Problem is that, the funds are not properly used that’s why projects are getting delayed. About electricity, I would say the problem is persisting in whole Bihar and the condition is becoming worst day-by-day. Hope Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will take some strong step to sort-out the electricity issue soon.
Some media reports claimed that you didn’t ask any question in the parliament?
It’s not true at all. I have gone through such reports. Fact is that, I have asked a number of questions during zero hour session of the Parliament. Besides many questions regarding the common issues of the country, I have made our Honourable Prime Minister Manmohan Singh aware about the poor condition of my constituency Kishanganj. According to statistics of the Indian Government, Kishanganj is one of the most backward districts of the country. During the zero hour session, I have demanded special packages for improvement in education, health and other related grieving areas of Kishanganj.
Any special message for the people of Kishanganj?
I would like to appeal to the locals to come forward and contribute something at their personal level. Although there are lots of problems and issues, but with strong determination and positive attitude we can move ahead. Despite lots of hardships, people should remain optimistic and try to achieve their goals. Next, people should always try to maintain the peace and brotherhood among themselves, which is a key aspect for development of Kishanganj.
(The interviewer is Delhi-based freelance journalist)