Reservation Among 22 Demands Of Telangana Muslim Organisations In Exchange Of Votes In The Upcoming Elections

The Telangana Muslim Organisations Joint Action Committee (JAC) has released a Muslim declaration outlining 22 demands ahead of Telangana assembly and general elections that political parties must fulfill to secure the votes of Muslims.

The declaration was formulated during a meeting of Muslim intellectuals held on 25 June at the Madina Education Centre in Hyderabad. The meeting was organized by JAC co-convener Shaik Yousuf Baba, with Saleem Pasha, the Convener of Muslim JAC, presiding over the session.

Several prominent figures, including retired OU Professor Ansari, MJAC Co-ordinator Mohammad Yunus, All Mewa State President Sheikh Farooq Hussain, Dr. Riaz, Mahbub Nagar Khalid, Khammam Rahman, Shakeel, Subhan, Prof. Anwar Khan, Karimnagar Avez, Rauf Khan, and representatives from various districts, were in attendance.

The declaration justified its demands by highlighting the significant vote share of Telangana Muslims, which stands at 13 percent, making them influential in nearly 40 constituencies across the state.

However, it asserted that Muslims are often neglected and treated merely as vote banks during elections, including the Telangana Assembly elections.

The declaration also cited the backwardness of Muslims as recognized by various commissions, including the Justice Sachar Committee, the Ranganath Mishra Commission, the Sudhir Commission, and Telangana's first BC Commission.

The demands listed in the declaration are as follows:

1. Allocation of at least 10 MLA seats for Muslims, with one seat per undivided Telangana district (excluding the Old City of Hyderabad). The political party must take full responsibility for the success of the Muslim candidates. In districts without Muslim MLA representation, guarantees for Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, or MLC positions must be provided.

2. Implementation of 10-12 percent reservation for marginalized Muslims in public education and employment.

3. Allocation of Rs. 10,000 crore in the state budget each year for the welfare of minorities.

4. Establishment of the Waqf Board as a Commissionerate with judicial power. Appointment of Waqf inspectors for each district and filling of vacant staff positions in State and District Waqf Board offices.

5. Construction of permanent buildings for minority gurukuls (schools). Appointment of permanent teaching and non-teaching staff. Upgradation of gurukuls to offer degree-granting programs in PG, Law, and MBA. Construction of minority gurukuls on Waqf lands if government land is not available.

6. Adequate importance and encouragement for the Urdu language.

7. Implementation of the "Muslim Empowerment Scheme," providing Rs. 10 lakh to every impoverished Muslim family.

8. Implementation of a special quota of 12 percent for the allocation of double-bedroom houses to Muslims.

9. Adequate representation of Muslims in nominated positions.

10. Filling of vacant posts in various departments of the minority department.

11. Construction of 66 post-matric hostels in 33 districts.

12. Provision of a loan of Rs. 2 lakh with full subsidy to Muslims engaged in unorganized occupations. Allocation of Rs. 1000 crore annually for subsidized loans for poor Muslims.

13. Disbursement of funds from the special treasury for government-sponsored Iftar parties every Ramadan.

14. Allocation of a special fund called "Grant in Aid" for the renovation of mosques during Ramadan.

15. Inclusion of the Mehtar community in the SC category.

16. Implementation of the recommendations of the Justice Sachar Committee.

17. Declaration that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will not be implemented in the state.

18. Regular payment of monthly honorariums to Imams and Muezzins. Processing of pending applications for Imams and Muezzins.

19. Allotment of land for Muslim burial grounds, maintenance of Muslim graveyards, and construction of defensive walls.

20. Granting of pending subsidized loans to applicants with the Minority Finance Corporation.

21. Construction of Muslim marriage halls and minority community halls in every mandal (administrative unit).

22. Provision of an ex-gratia of Rs. 50 lakh to the family of Qadir Khan, who died in the custody of Medak Police.

The Telangana Assembly polls are set to take place later this year, with elections for the 119 constituency seats.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), now known as the BRS, formed the government after securing victory in 88 out of the 119 seats in the 2018 elections.

The INC's seat share decreased from 21 to 19, the AIMIM won seven seats while the BJP succeeded only on a single seat.