By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party (SP) aggressively wooed Muslims by announcing to release all innocent Muslim youths languishing in jail on terror charges. Not only this, the party also promised them compensation and punishment to the officials who had framed them in these charges.
Besides this, several sops were also promised to the community in its election manifesto which was released at party office in Lucknow on Friday.
Muslims which were core base of SP had deserted Mulayam Singh Yadav in 2009 Lok Sabha elections due to his bonhomie with estranged Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kalyan Singh.
Will implement Sachar, Mishra reports in UP
“We are aware that recommendations of Sachar Committee and Ranganath Mishra Commission have categorised Muslims as backward. We will implement all the recommendations of these committees which are within our limits,” said national general secretary and spokesperson of the party, Prof Ram Gopal Yadav.
The manifesto includes reservation to Muslims in proportion to their population, new government institutes in Muslim dominated districts, promotion of Urdu by setting up Urdu medium schools in Muslim areas, special grants to madarsas for modernisation.
Muslims will be recruited in security forces
The party also promises to recruit Muslims in government security forces as a confidence building measures. Protection of graveyards by boundaries, a dargah act for protection and development of dargahs with special package have also been announced. The party promises to appoint at least one member from Muslim community in all government commissions and committees. Waqf land will be cleared from encroachments and handed over to waqifs. The illegal buildings constructed on them will be handed over to the waqifs along with the buildings.
Facilities for Muslim traders
Special emphasis will be given to trade where Muslim workers are in good numbers as handlooms, carpet, bangle making, lock, zari, zardozi, beedi, scissors etc. The power dues on weavers will be waived off while one ITI for enhancing their skills will also be set up in every block. Free power will be given to weavers.
Every Muslim girl who clears class X will be given an incentive of Rs 30000. All Muslim institutions who clear the norms will be given status of universities.
Though Azam Khan could not make it to the function as his chopper could not take off due to poor visibility, his dream of Jauhar University will be fulfilled.
The party also stated that communalism will be curbed while Muslims who live with apprehension of being branded as terrorist, intruder etc will be given full security and guarantee. “We can sacrifice our party interest over protection of minorities,” said Prof Ram Gopal Yadav.
Any one indulging in rioting will be severely dealt with and concerned DM and SP will be held responsible.
The 24 page booklet was released by SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav in presence of Akhilesh Yadav, Shivpal Yadav and other senior party leaders.