By TwoCircles.net Staff reporter,
Mumbai: Maharashtra Muslims are once again finding their feet cold in the state with the advent of the BJP government for the first time, that has completely ignored the single largest minority in its formation of the government and assigning of portfolios. The Muslim leaders in the state are aggrieved with community’s non-representation in BJP’s first state government and are planning to meet the core BJP leadership along with new CM Devendra Fadnavis.
Many Muslim leaders and thinkers had attended a meeting in Mumbai to discuss about their community issues and role of Muslims in the government functionary where the decision of meeting BJP leadership was unanimously taken to appeal for community representation in the BJP government.
Maharashtra Legislative Assembly
Vidarbh Educationist & former principal Qasim Raza, Kalyan Social activist Saad Qazi, Ex- ACP Javed Khan, Adv. Nazim Qazi, representatives from Maharashtra Muslim Sangh and thinkers from western Maharashtra and Marathwada were present during the meeting.
Maharashtra Muslim Sangh – a coalition of 40 NGOs that had extended support to BJP prior assembly elections, proposed a need of meeting new Chief Minister Fadnavis and other BJP leadership to demand Muslim representation in the government as like provided to other communities in the state.
Speaking with media Faqeer Muhammad Thakur – chief convener of Maharashtra Muslim Sangh said, “We are upset (with new BJP govt) as it has not provided (Muslim) representation in the government. We will soon apprise the CM of the grievances. I am sure Muslims will be included”.
Ghulam Peshimam of Khula Manch, another Muslim NGO, said “All major communities like Brahmins, OBCs, Marathas and Dalits find representation in the new ministry, except Muslims who comprise 10.6% of the state population”.
Salim Alware, a social activists from Mumbai, said, “Although nearly 16% Muslims in the state voted for BJP, the new government has upset the (Muslim) community. “
Adv. Abdul Wakil said, “The government does not specifically represent or on the other completely reject any particular community. But by not including a Muslim in the ministry, Muslim community will go further away from the BJP”.
“During campaigning Modi and BJP lauds a slogan ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’, and then why Muslims are being dropped in government. It’s a hollow promise”, he added anxiously.
BJP which has emerged to be the single largest party in Maharashtra elections by bragging 122 seats – a close to magic figure of 145, is due to prove majority in assembly on 12th November. The party has chosen Devendra Fadnavis to be the Chief Minister of state and is in continuous talk with its old ally Shiv Sena for support in assembly.