Says Muslim reservation on the basis of backwardness, not religion; lambasts Hindutva forces for their dream to convert India into a Hindu state
Beed (Maharashtra): Kickstarting the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) campaign against the BJP's Maharashtra government for denying Muslims reservation in jobs and education, Hyderabad MP and party Chief Asaduddin Owaisi Tuesday said their demand is in line with the Indian constitution.
Addressing a huge crowd gathered on the Tailgaon Road ground in Beed, Maharashtra's Muslim dominated town in Marathwada, the MIM chief also lambasted the Hindutva forces saying making India an all-Hindu nation was a dream that cannot see the light of day.
"Muslims are seeking reservation on the basis of their backwardness, not religion. Articles 15 and 16 of the Indian constitution have us this right, and the government should accept this legitimate demand without further delay", he said.
Owaisi criticised the Devendra Fadnavis government for not introducing the Muslim Reservation Bill in the Maharashtra assembly despite the court order.
"The Bombay High Court had granted reservation for Muslims in education while staying the same for the Maratha community. But, the BJP government passed the Maratha Reservation Bill while refusing similar legislation for Muslims", he said.
"It is open bias and a worst display of utter discrimination", he added.
He said despite a population of 1.5 crore in Maharashtra, Muslims are less than 2% and 4% in government jobs and in the state police. He also said out of the total 2000 seats in Maharashtra's government medical colleges, only 3-4 Muslims get admission.
"Maharashtra is the state where drop-out rate of Muslims is at its worst", he said.
Owaisi also criticised the erstwhile Congress-NCP government for 'hurriedly' coming up with an ordinance to give Muslims and Marathas reservation in government jobs and educational institutions.
"They were in power for 15 long years and they could have easily passed bills in the state assembly. But, they were not honest", he alleged.
Owaisi also said making India an all-Hindu nation was a dream that cannot see the light of day.
He also said attempts of 'ghar wapsi' by Hindu hardliners were going to fail and no Muslim would ever abandon his faith.
"I pity those who think a Muslim will convert (to other religions) for Rs 5 lakh. There are those who dream of making India an entirely Hindu country by 2021. It's not going to happen. It's not going to happen by 2021. It is not going to happen by 2090 or till Qayyamat (Judgement Day)… Our ancestors paid for freedom of this country with their lives. We are here to stay and will demand what is our right," the AIMIM chief said.
Comments
| Quick linksNews
National
International
Regional
Politics
Education & Career
Business
Science & Technology
Health
Views & Analysis
The Funny Side
© 2012 Awaz Multimedia & Publications. All rights reserved.
Hyderabad MP's statement that every human being is born a Muslim is correct and true to Islamic principles, they say
Strongly supporting the statement made by Asaduddin Owaisi, the spokesperson of the All India Muslim Perosnal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Muslim clerics Tuesday said what the....... More
Also Read: 'Ghar Wapsi' needs to be the other way round: Son of a 'Revert Muslim'
Hundreds of locals have countered the hate with a show of love and peace, sticking messages of support on heart-shaped pieces of paper and sticking them to the mosque under a banner reading: "Don't touch.. ..... More
Proving once again that Hijab is not an obstacle for women, a Kolkata Muslim girl, who faced the interview wearing Hijab, despite an advice by a friend not to do so, topped the 2014 Judicial Service Examinations of West Bengal the results of which were... More
True love of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is manifested by following in his footsteps and supporting his Sunnah, he says
Historians however are unanimous that the Prophet (pbuh) died on 12th of Rabi'ul Awwal. Considering this also any kind of celebrations on the day when the Prophet (pbuh) died is illogical....... More
Also Read: Prophet Muhammad and Human Dignity
Every human being is born a Muslim, later the parents make him or her Jew, Christian or Hindu, he pleads; invites VHP and RSS leaders to read Quran
As the reports of forced conversions continue to pour in from different parts of India indicating that the Hindutva organizations do not have any plan as of now to desist from their controversial ...... More
Also Read: Post 'conversion attempt', Agra Muslims are more staunch believers in Islam
Ever since the terror attack took place Dec 16 at a school in Peshawar where over 140 people, mostly children, were killed, hashtags like #PeshawarAttack and #IndiawithPakistan have been trending on Twitter, creating a bridge to connect citizens of the two neighbouring nations...... More
Also Read: Dilip Kumar grieves for hometown Peshawar