Muslims are being harassed and targeted to woo Hindu voters while on the other side, these announcements are made to woo Muslim voters, says activist Aslam Ghazi
Waquar Hasan | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – Ahead of the assembly elections in the state, the decision taken by the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra to increase the wages of madrasa teachers and grants for Maulana Azad Minorities Financial Corporation (MAMFC) has raised eyebrows.
On Thursday, the government announced to double the wages of the madrasa teachers appointed under the Dr Zakir Husain Madrasa Modernisation Scheme. It has also increased Rs 300 crore in the MAMFC grants.
“The state Cabinet has decided to increase the capital of the Maulana Azad Minorities Financial Corporation to ₹1,000 crore,” a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said. Currently, the MAMFC’s corpus is ₹700 crore.
The corporation works for the welfare of economically backward sections of minorities in the state and provides loans for higher studies and self-employment.
In a separate decision, the government has increased the honorarium for D Ed and B Ed teachers who provide their services to madrasas. According to the Minorities Development Department officials, for D Ed teachers, the remuneration has been increased to ₹16,000 per month from the current ₹6,000 a month. The honorarium for BA, B Ed, B Sc and B Ed teachers, who teach secondary subjects, will go up to ₹18,000 per month from the current ₹8,000 per month.
Under the Madrasa Modernisation Scheme, teachers are appointed on a contractual basis to give formal education such as mathematics, science, sociology, Hindi, Marathi, English and Urdu, apart from the religious curriculum. Formal education was introduced by the state government to modernise the madrasa education system.
However, the decision of the government is being seen as a move to woo minorities amid concerns over the rise of hate campaigns and crimes under the current government.
“These decisions were taken because of the elections. They don’t have any sympathy for Muslims. They just want Muslim votes. On the one hand, blasphemous remarks are being made against Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Ramgiri Maharaj was not arrested while on the other hand, Muslims are being arrested in cases related to communal violence. We want the government to curb the incidents which incite hatred and cause loss of lives and properties,” said Aslam Ghazi, a Muslim activist based in Mumbai.
He drew attention to the communal incidents occurring in Amravati, Akola, Latur, Akot and Nashik in the state.
“Last month, over 150 houses were demolished in Kolhapur. On the one side, Muslims are being harassed and targeted to woo Hindu voters while on the other side, these announcements are made to woo Muslim voters,” said Ghazi.
Ghazi, who is the leader of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), feels that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance will not get Muslim votes by announcing these decisions. It will get the votes of only those who used to give it. Or, they will get votes through the Muslim candidates fielded by parties like Ajit Pawar’s NCP.
The Eknath Shinde-led Cabinet also passed the proposal to set up welfare cooperative boards for several communities. The government increased the investment capital for tribal welfare boards. The state government announced the setting up of cooperative boards for Shimpi, Gavali, Lad Shakiya-Wani, Lohar, and Nam Panth community boards. Each cooperative board will be given Rs 50 crore as investment capital to carry out various social and community activities.
Prakash Ambedkar, chief of Vanchit Bahujan Agadi (VBA), also slammed the ruling alliance for showing concern for the Muslims at a time when the elections are near.
“Mahayuti is desperately trying to woo the OBCs, Adivasis and Muslims by showering scheme after scheme ahead of the elections. Where was this concern for the OBCs, Adivasis and Muslims over the last two and half years? Token promises right before the polls show their focus on votes, not true welfare,” he said.
Ambdekar further said “Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi has consistently fought for real, long-term solutions for the marginalised communities. Don’t be fooled by last-minute handouts. The power to bring genuine change is in your hands”.
