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In the city to participate in the rally called by Furfura Darbar Sharif, a Muslim organisation demanding reservation, the former Indian skipper said: “I have raised the issue in Parliament. Reservation is a must for Muslims. I hope the Central government will go for reservation. I have been asked by Pranab Mukherjee to come here. I am his messenger and I represent the Congress.”
Addressing a massive crowd at Rani Rashmoni Road, Azharuddin also spoke in favour of the inclusion of Pakistani players saying good players from all countries should play in the IPL.
“I think this (exclusion of Pakistani players) should not have happened. In a tournament like the IPL, all good players should play irrespective of the country they belong to. I am not saying this because I am a Congress MP. It is my personal view,” said Azharuddin.
The state Congress brought in Azharuddin to be the Muslim face of the state Congress in Bengal, say sources with the party, and the former cricketer did not disappoint.
Lambasting the CPM-led state government for its ‘poor performance’, Azharuddin said: “For the last 32 years, you have voted for the CPM, but got nothing from them. There is no education or employment here.”
He added: “It is time to bring about a change by supporting the Congress. Since Independence, it has been only the Congress which has initiated programmes beneficial to you. Can you name me any other party which did that?”
Alleging the CPM’s role in “forcible acquisition of land for industry”, the former cricketer said: “There is a land problem in Bengal. Agricultural land is being forcibly snatched. Twenty five per cent of Muslims in Bengal are farmers. What will they do if their land is taken away?”
Also scheduled to visit Murshidabad district in the coming months, Azharuddin said this would not be his last visit to the state. “I respect the people of Bengal. Whenever you will call me, I promise to come. I have invitations from Jangipur, which is Pranab Mukherjee’s constituency, and I will go there,” said Azharuddin.
Pradip Bhattacharya, working president of West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee, added: “In the recent political clashes, it is the Muslims who are being murdered. Nearly 85 per cent of those murdered in recent political clashes are Muslims. CPM is carrying out these attacks,” said Bhattacharjee.
He stated that it is the Congress-led government at the Centre which has set up the Sachar Commission and Rangnath Mishra Commission.
Lauding his party for its pro-active role in helping the minorities, Bhattacharjee said: “We have accepted the Rangnath Mishra report. It was our Congress government in Andhra which first provided reservation of seats to minorities.
Pir Saheb Maulana Toha Siddiqui of Furfura Sharif, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude towards Pranab Mukherjee for the “help” extended to the community. “If political parties don’t work of us, be it Left or Right, we will kick them out. I had called Trinamool leaders Partho Chatterjee, Mukul Roy and Mamata Banerjee here, but they did not come. Time has come for all Muslims to rise up.”
He added: “We demand reservation. The party that looks after us will look after them. This time only words will not do, show us what you can do. I am thankful to Pranab Mukherjee who extended all help to us.”
Mamata too smells blood
With the ruling Left Front backing Rangnath Mishra Commission’s recommendations calling for 15 per cent reservation for Muslims in jobs, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee too threw her weight behind the quota proposal today, saying her party will implement them when it comes to power in Bengal.
“This is nothing new. Look at our manifestos in 2001 and 2006 where we have said the same thing. We had already suggested this (reservation for Muslims). The state government is shirking its responsibilities on the issue. Why is the state government not passing a resolution (in the state Assembly) and implementing it?” she told reporters at her Kalighat residence.
“At present, there is no reservation for minorities or for women. They too need it. When I come to power, we will implement it (the panel’s recommendations) in Bengal,” she added.
Since the panchayat elections in 2007, a large chunk of Muslim votes have gone to the Trinamool, on account of Nandigram and Rizwanur Rehman issues, among others, a party source said.
The Railway Minister also hit out at Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee for asking “his cadres to murder the Opposition” at a rally in Canning, South 24-Parganas. “This is unconstitutional and this government must be sacked,” she said.
She said depending on the availability of time, she will lead a team and meet new Governor M K Narayanan on February 4 to highlight the issue of law and order. ENS
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The persons who are advocating for reservation on communal lines are basically trying to create confusion. The minority criteria is peculiar. Hindus are minority in Kashmir, Meghalaya and Nagaland. In some districts of India Muslims are in majority while in Northern India statewise figures suggest that Hindus are in Majority. Then what criteria for reservation is going to be fixed? Leave political use of such sensitive issue, ensure development and reach the benifit of reservation exclusively on economic consideration irrespective of religion, caste or regionalism. I believe your newspaper can take a leading role in forming public opinion and fight in the appropriate legal forum to ensure justice for all.
Dear Editor & Ravik Bhattacharya One must go in to history of the phenomenon of "Reservations" in India. It was Dr. Ambedkar's vision to uplift the SC/ST communities only, Reservation was brought in by the Constitutional method. The Castesim is only applicable to Hindu Dharma. One can not see it in other faiths such as Muslims, Christians, Jews, Japaneas, or any other community. Why there should be such a provision for either to Muslims or Christians in India. Western nations such as USA, UK, France, Germany where Black Christians were suppressed until recently. Those nations do not believe in "Positive discrimination against those oppressed community in any form or shape. WHY? WHY? Aren't Black Christians still the sufferers of Discrimination on the basis of their colour? I believe that this kind of policy of "Reservations" will disintegrate the nation in near future. I hope you try an oppose such kind of Reservation to one and all. Let merit be the focus for future. Dr.Ambekar
It is a pity to hear such comments from Azhar.Reservation to muslims for what reason?They are such a large population in Bengal and are no more minorities.No proper figures on how many of these are Bangladeshi muslims who have illegally entered Indian territory.Reservation has already done so much harm to Indian society.Such short time politicians who try to divide people in the name of religion and caste shoudl be shown the door out.As by itself Azhar is votes only because of his religion.what good has he done for the society or the country.He has only brought bad name to India by getting into match fixing.Statistically he might have been a good captain, but that is all because of some greats like Sachin , Ganguly, Dravid, Srinath & Kumble who were at their best.It is a shame for Indian society that such people who bring bad name for the country are loved by masses and brought to power.This alkso shows how patriotic the muslim population is. No more reservation.