By TCN News,
Pune: The Popular Front of India’s National Campaign for Muslim Reservation was formally launched at a grand public meeting on 31st January at Mahatma Phule Ground in Pune. This was first public meeting of the campaign. Various programs will be organized throughout the country as part of the campaign.
Mr Syed Shahabuddin (Ex-MP) formally inaugurated the campaign. In his inaugural speech Mr Shahabuddin stated that “reservation for Muslims and other backward sections is not a favour but a democratic fundamental right. The arguments raised by certain groups against reservation for Muslims are baseless and against the spirit of the constitution. Muslims are eligible for reservation because of their relative backwardness and not because of their religious faith”. He also pointed out that 50% ceiling on total reservation put by the Supreme Court is not irrevocable and can be changed.
In his presidential address Popular Front of India Chairman Mr E. M. Abdur Rahiman started his discourse praising the historical importance of Pune city as the place where Mahatama Phule began the social revolution of the depressed classes and Dr. Ambedkar signed the Pune Pact. He stated that “Popular Front has undertaken the task of campaigning for the Muslim Reservation as part of its agenda of Total Empowerment of the marginalised sections of the country. Sachar Committee has rightly diagnosed the problem of Muslim community and Mishra commission has prescribed the remedy. Sachar Committee has convinced the nation that the Muslims are most backward and Mishra commission recommended reservation in education and employment to all Muslims. Hence it is not merely a Muslim cause but the nation’s responsibility to deliver justice to Muslims”. He called upon the secular forces and political fronts to take a principal stand on the issue. However, he urged all the Muslims not to wait further for the mercy from others, but to start striving themselves.
Mr. Suresh Khairnar, National Convener, National Secular Forum said that a country cannot develop until the development is uniform and covers all sections of the society. Moulana Usman Baig, President, All India Imams Council, called upon the Ulemas to stop fighting over trivial issues and play a leading role in empowering the community.
The Popular Front State Ad-hoc Committee for Maharashtra was declared by the Chairman of Popular Front. Mr Sadiq Qureshi was announced as State President and Mr. Mohammad Sajid as the General Secretary.