By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
Patna: The Muslim community in Bihar today presented before the political parties a comprehensive agenda for economic and educational development, and warned that they won’t get community votes if they did not include the agenda in the election manifestos.
Leading eminent community leaders, Maulana Mohammad Wali Rahmani disclosed the charter of demands in a press conference here in Patna today. He demanded political parties to seriously take the demands into account and include them in their manifesto. However, talking to TCN, Maulana Wali Rahmani ruled out any call of election boycott if the parties did not heed to them. Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi said the government must ensure budget for economic and educational improvement of poor Muslims and quota for the community in legislatures. Other leaders who were present at the press included Hasan Ahmed Qadri, secretary, Jamiat Ulema Hind, Bihar and Jharkhand, Mufti Sanaullah, Nazim, Idara Sharia and Abdul Qayyum Ansari, president, Anjum Taraqqi Urdu, and Fazle Rab of All India Milli Council.
L-R: Md Mazahir Hasan, Abdul Qayyum Ansari, Anisur Rahman Qasmi, Maulana Md Wali Rahmani, Mufti Sanaullah, Hasan Ahmad Qadri, Fazle Rab
Muslim reservation
Topping the agenda is Muslim reservation. According to the Ranganath Mishra Commission Report, minorities should get 15% quota in all government jobs and other services in the state including all vacancies filled by Bihar Public Service Commission like Bihar Civil Service, Bihar Police Service and Bihar Judicial Service judicial service. The community leaders also demanded inclusion of all backward Muslim groups in 7.5% out of 15%.
They also demanded inclusion of Muslim and Christian dalits in the Scheduled Castes list. Besides, they demanded 15% quota for minorities in anganwadi centres. It should be noted here that thousands of anganwadi centres are being opened in minority concentration districts under the Multi-sectoral Development Program.
Education
On education front, the community leaders demanded undisputed one piece land for the proposed special centre of Aligarh Muslim University in Bihar. They also want full university status to Maulana Mazharul Haq Arbic and Persian University by providing land and building.
The leaders demanded proportionate representation of Muslims in legislatures including assembly, council and panchayat. They want 15% quota for minorities in council of ministers.
Communal riots
They demanded compensation to all communal riot victims on the pattern of relief package given to 1984 Sikh riot victims. Another important demand on the subject was deployment of Muslim police officer and policemen at all police stations in the state.
Moreover, they demanded provision for transfer and stay on promotion of those DMs and SPs who fail to control communal violence in three days.
Maulana Wali Rahmani and others signing the charter of demands
Urdu
The charter of demands call for appointment of Urdu teacher at all schools, government run or government aided, in the state. They also demanded all government ads to Urdu papers also.
Economic uplift
For the economic uplift of the poor Muslim community in the state, the community leaders demanded 15% loans to Muslims. Besides, each weaver concentration area should have an industrial hub; there should be and economic and health package for bidi workers. They demanded Rs 250-crore annual grant for Bihar State Minorities Financial Corporation.
[Photos and video shot by Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net]