By Rehan Ansari, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: Arrogance or apathy of Congress leaders towards Minority was clearly visible in the meeting called to analyze the debacle of Congress in the recently concluded Mumbai Municipal Corporation election.
Nizamuddin Raeen, President of Minority Cell Mumbai Congress had called the meeting to discuss the present political scenario and Minorities. No known Congress leader attended the meeting despite the invitation.
Maulana Qasmi speaking in the meeting
Sharif Salafi complained, “It’s a routine that our leaders ignore the minority cell meeting. Where should we go to discuss our problems if not to our leaders?” He also cautioned the leaders that if not they, their children will isolate the Congress.”
Sharif Salafi also criticized his own Congress government for profiling of Muslim as terrorists. He said, “Many Muslims are being arrested by the Police. It sends a wrong signal and Muslims felt insecure in the Congress Government.” It should be rectified, he added.
Congress workers of minority community complained that the number of Muslim Ministers is also declining. A worker informed that in the earlier cabinet of Maharashtra three Ministers of Minority were included but now it has reduced to one. Arif Nasim Khan is given a cabinet berth and that too before the last Assembly election.
Workers also raised the issue of vacant seat of Chairman of Minority Commission, members of Wakf Boards, Urdu Academy in Maharashtra.
Congress is promoting people with dubious character who have close links with the BJP. Maulana Abdul Salam Qasmi criticized, “Congress leadership promoted the people who never worked for the party but co-operate the saffron alliance.” He further said, “I personally know the people and pointed out these people but no actions were taken against them. Not this, they were given preferential treatment.”
Speaking about the arrest of the President of Mumbai Congress, Kripashankar Singh, Maulana said, “Kripashankar Singh has a soft corner for minorities but he was targeted and no Congress leader supported him.”
Nizamuddin Raeen also pointed out infighting among the Congressmen for tickets in the BMC election as one of the reason for the loss of Congress.
Nizamuddin Raeen, Maulana Zaheer Abbas Rizvi, Ex-Minister Prof. Javed Khan, attended the meeting and listen to the grievances of the workers.