By Mohd Ismail Khan, TwoCircles.net,
Hyderabad: All India Majlis-E-Itehadul Muslimeen [AIMIM] the major Muslim political party of AP celebrated its 54th formation day at its headquarters Darussalam, Hyderabad. The meeting was addressed by Mr. Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM President and the party state assembly leader Mr. Akbaruddin Owaisi.
Mr Assaduddin Owaisi said that the party formation day is not a day for celebrations and instead a day to cross check and analyse our services to the Muslim community.
Asaduddin Owaisi addressing the meeting
“The party strived to protect the interest of Muslims all over the Deccan region; many have sacrificed a lot for this party during the horror days of Police brutalities, Abdul Wahid Owaisi was jailed 30 times, my father Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi was imprisoned for around one and half years, my brother Akbaruddin Owaisi survived a serious assassination attempt, since times Majlis have proved that its leaders are ready to sacrifice their lives for the cause of the Muslim community”, said the party president.
Speaking on the occasion Mr. Akbaruddin Owaisi said that “Though the party was initially formed to protect the interests of Muslims in the Deccan region, later it started fighting for the socio-economic development of the Muslims, now we have evolved as the sole Muslim political power in the region.”
He said, “When communities like Dalits are having difficulties in making their problems heard, Muslim issues have always been raised and solved by their own political leader ship through Majlis.
Akbaruddin reminded that, during the initial days of MIM, the party was laughed at and there were questions as to how, ‘what is the requirement of a Muslim political party?’ “Now 54 years later the Majlis stand is being vindicated as Muslims across India have recognised the importance of Muslim political power; inspired by MIM Muslims across India have started forming their own political parties” he said.
Party later organized a huge public meeting on the topic – ‘Importance of unity among Muslims’, which was addressed by Islamic scholar from Pakistan Dr Moulana Tahir-ul Qadri.
The party has its roots in the erstwhile Nizam state and was formed in 1927 by Nawab Mahmood Nawaz Khan. The party was banned from 1948-1957, due to its militant nature and for not accepting merger of the then Hyderabad state with India. In 1957 the party was reorganized by Abdul Wahid Owaisi, but this time with a change, the new party distanced itself from its ideologies of the Nizam era and recognized Hyderabad as part of India. Thus the political journey of MIM started on 2nd March 1958, after its official reformation.
At present MIM plays an active, major role in the politics of Deccan, the party is representing Hyderabad parliament seat since 1984 and has seven MLA’s in the AP legislative assembly presently; besides MIM rules the Hyderabad municipal council by even holding the mayor post of the city.
Though the party was never fortunate enough to win an assembly seat from Hyderabad, it has strong hold in the Deccan region including areas of Marathwada and Rayalaseema.