By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata: Muslims were deprived for 34 years during the Left Front regime in West Bengal. It’s about a year that a new government has been formed under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, but I haven’t seen any change in the condition of the community here so far, said Maulana Mahmood Madani while addressing a massive gathering of Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind here in Kolkata on 15th February. Muslims are not begging, they want their rights, he saidat the first ever Jamiat conference since Mamata became chief minister.
General Secretary of Jamiat, Maulana Madani, however hoped Mamata will do better for Muslims while reminding that Jamiat had made great contribution in Freedom movement.Jamiat Ulama is not a political party, but it can pressurize the government for the issues of Muslims and other deprived people, he added.
India cannot become a great and developed country without the development of the Muslim community he said and reiterated the demand of Muslim reservation in education and job in the state as well as in entire country, he said.
Attacking Mamata, he said Muslims in West Bengal are far behind co-community men in other states. Since she came to power, Mamata has not done any significant work for the community, but he hoped she can.“We have to wait for good days,” said Maulana Madani. He also demanded protection of all waqf properties in West Bengal.
State Jamiat Ulama leader Maulana Siddiqullah Chowdhury placed six-pointresolution in that meeting. His view about Mamata’s performance vis-à-vis Muslims was a bit different from Madani’s. Chowdhury said Mamata Banerjee has recently announced a few projects for Muslims. These initiatives of the Government are welcome and Jamiat will cooperate with the government to achieve the goal, he said.
The resolutions included demand for reservation to Muslim according to population, maintaining communal harmony at any cost, protection of Waqf properties and demand for opening branch Aliah Universityin in every district of West Bengal.
When Maulana Siddiqullah Chowdhury was delivering his speech a call came to his mobile from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Secretariat. She talked to him and assured him that the Government will consider their demands. She regretted that she or any minister could not attend the Jamiat program due to busy schedule of her cabinet.After conversation with the Chief Minister, Siddiqullah Chowdhury announced the CM will discuss our demands with us. Jamiat supporters endorsed the development with loud clapping.
Ex Professor of Jadavpur University, Gopal Chakraborty also spoke on the occasion. He supported the demand of Jamiat Ulama. To make a great Bengal, Government should give reservation to Muslim, Prof Charkraborty said.
Mamata wants to tie-up with Siddiqullah-led PDCI (People’s Democratic Conference of India) as well as Jamiat Ulama in the 2013 panchayat elections. When asked about it, Siddiqullah Chowdhury told TCN that everything is possible in politics. “We do not want to lookback, we want to go ahead, for the development of the Muslim. If Mamata wants to do something for Muslim, we will support her without any hesitation and political bar, he added.
TCN asked Mohd. Muslim, a supporter of Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind who has been attending the Jamiat meetings for a long time, about the political motive Jamiat in the state, he said: The big gathering shows the strength of Jamiat in West Bengal and Mamata cannot ignore it. He said it was first time that any Chief Minister has called Jamiatleader in the ongoing meeting. It is a good signal for Muslims on behalf of State Government. Now Jamiat people as well as `Maulana’ will get honour form government officials, he hopes.Jamiat supporter shad come in the meeting from different districts of West Bengal.
(Photos by ZaidulHaque, TCN)