By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata: Maulana Siddiqullah Chowdhury, State Secretary of Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, West Bengal recently met with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee andPanchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee. After Nandigram incident this wasthe first face-to-face meeting between Chowdhury and Banerjee.After the meeting, Siddiqullah told TCN that he is thinking positively about alliance with Trinamul Congress in panchayetelection in 2013 because, he said, Congress betrayed with his party PDCI (People’s Democratic Conference of India).
Siddiqullah assured the Chief Minister of his all assistance for the development of West Bengal because after 34 years of Left Front ruling, people want real development, and Muslim community, which has remained neglected over decades, are also hopeful and want their uplift.
After meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, State Panchayet Minister Subrata Mukherjee is going to TMC office with Maulana Siddiqullah Chowdhury to hold a political meeting on 21st Jan. 2012.
Siddiqullah also demanded a campus of Central University Jamia Millia Islamia. He requested the Chief Minister that, if Left Front could establish a campus of Aligarh Muslim University in Murshidabad, Trinamul Congress Government should take initiative to establish a campus of Jamia Millia in West Bengal.
Maulana Chowdhury also demanded Mamata Banerjee to give reservation to the Muslims.
Talking to TCN, Chowdhury demanded Rs 10000 cr from Central government to make Medical college, Engendering college, University etc. To get this fund for West Bengal from Central Government he will fight along with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. “I have requested her to ask the Prime Minister for Rs10,000 crore as the state is cash strapped and Jamiat will support her in this endeavour.” Chowdhury said.
He also sought amendment in Citizenship act 2003, protection of waqf property etc.
The meeting between Siddiqullah and Mamata is very significant for West Bengal minorities. To remove Left Front ruling Siddiqullah was very much aggressive against CPIM and its Government. Once Siddiqullahhad given a call for `Jehad’ against CPIM. He also united Muslims to oraganise a movement for the benefit of West Bengal Muslims. It was very effective in politics of West Bengal. But Mamata Banerjee and Siddiqullah parted ways after PDCI nominated a candidate against Trinamul Congress in by-election for Nandigram constituency. The two had jointly mobilized masses over Nandigram killings.
PDICI was defeated in the election, resulting in the increased distance between Mamata Banerjee led Trinamul Congress and PDCI. After that, LokSabha and State Assembly Election were held. Trinamul Congress ignored Siddiqullah led PDCI. But she did not undermine the force and strength of JamiatUlama-I-Hind. Because, Jamiat’s organization in West Bengal is so good and they can influence the Muslim masses.
After becoming Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced development plans for Muslims in West Bengal. She kept with her the Minority Affairs & Madrasa Education Ministry. While she could not do any remarkable job for Muslims since she assumed office, SiddiqullahChowdhury’s meeting with the CM maybe a good sign for West Bengal Muslims.
The meeting held on 21st January 2012 lasted more than an hour. After becoming CM, this was her first long meetingwith any Muslim organization head at her Administration office Writers Building in Kolkata. After the meeting, Siddiqullah held a meeting with State Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee over half an hour in Trinamul Congress Office.
Giving details about the meeting, Siddiqullah Chowdhury told TCN that he discussed Muslim issues and political situation in West Bengal. He said he placed a 10-point charter of demands before CM Banerjee.
1. In proportion of population, Muslims need 30% reservation in West Bengal
2. Government of West Bengal has 126 Committees or commissions. At least one Muslim member should be at each committee/commission.
3. Aliah University Campus in every minority concentrated district.
4. Like Aligarh Muslim University campus in Murshidabad, there should be a campus of JamiaMillia University in West Bengal.
5. Medical, Engineering, Polytechnic college & University in every district.
6. Safety for life &wealth.
7. Initiative from West Bengal to Amendment for Citizenship Act 2003 of Central Government.
8. Protection ofWaqf properties
9. Instead of 1 lac OBC certificate yearly, we need 3 lac certificates.
10. Subsidy on organic chemical for agricultural use, because most of the Muslims in West Bengal are engaged in agriculture.
When asked if Jamiat leader Maulana Mahmood Madani had given him permission to meet CM Mamata Banerjee,Siddiqullahtold TCN that MaulanaMadani had told him to meet Mamata and he had given him green signal for any cooperation ofJamiatUlama to Mamata Banerjee.
Chowdhury hopes, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee could be able to fulfill Muslims’ dream in West Bengal. But as only eight months have passed with the new government, Muslims should wait for the results. He also said that for the development of Muslim he may join hand with Mamata led Trinamul Congress.