By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata: Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee has assured a delegation of All India Milli Council that problems of the Muslim community would be fixed quickly. Citing election code of conduct she did not make any specific announcement but assured the community leaders that Muslim issues will be taken up by her government on priority basis.
The delegation of Milli Council had met Mamata on 13th September in her office at Writers Building. After assuming office, it was the first time that she met any Muslim delegation. The delegation was led by Qari Fazlur Rahman, Imam of largest Eid prayer congregation in Kolkata and President of All India Milli Council, West Bengal. Other Muslim personalities in the delegation were Dr Manzoor Alam, General Secretary, All India Milli Council, Ahmed Sayeed Malihabadi (MP, Rajya Sabha), Prof Sulaiman Khurshid, Dr A R Khan, Ahmed Hassan Imran, Nasir Ahmed and Sahood Alam.
The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister. Their main demands captured employment, reservation and education.
Milli Council delegation submitting the memorandum: L-R: CM Mamata Banerjee, Ahmed Hassan Imran, Nasir Ahmed, Dr A R Khan, Sahood Alam and Qari Fazlur Rahman
Employments: Muslims are more than 2.5 crore and constitutes 27.25% in West Bengal, but only 2-3% of them have jobs in Government sector. Even in G-IV staff where no high education is required, the community is lagging far behind in comparison to members of other communities.
Reservation: As per Sachar Committee report, Muslims have not got equal opportunity. The Left Front Govt granted 10% reservation to the OBC Muslims in WB. After conducting a survey report educationally and economically backwards should get reservation as a whole. Proper representation from the Minority Community must be made in each of the selection Committees or Interview Boards, appointments to higher posts like the post of VC, Pro-VC, Officers in the State Universities & post of Chairman of service commission must be made from eligible Muslim candidates without any discrimination.
Education: As per Sachar report there are 1161 villages where there are no schools. The schools should be established in those areas. Besides, govt should open Boys & Girls Schools in Minority areas like each and every district headquarter, proper grants should be given to NGOs run by Muslims. Aliah University must have its own compound with all subjects like Theological, Spiritual, Humanities, Sciences, Technology and Law. The number of Urdu school should be increased in Kolkata.
Housing: The community should be allotted lands in Rajarhat, Diamondharbour, Kona expressway and LIG/MIG flats.
They also demanded a separate Minister of State (Minority Affairs) as the CM has little time left for the ministry. So, Muslim can easily meet the Minister and submit their demands or complaint.
Dr Manzoor Alam, Director, Institute of Objective Studies (IOS) and General Secretary, All India Milli Council, interacting with Mamata Banerjee in front of her chamber.
Chief Minister of West Bengal did not assure to the delegates due to Election Commission’s code of conduct. Mamata Banerjee is contesting in Bhawanipur in Kolkata and election will be held in the last week of this month. But Mamata requested them to contact principal secretary of her Ministry Nurul Haque, IAS. Besides, Minister of State Javed Ahmed Khan will be coordinator in this regard, said CM to the delegates. She will talk again after the election is over if need be. At last Mamata Banerjee assured them that all the Muslim matters will be considered on priority basis within the Government procedure. She appealed to them to wait as she has just come to power.