All Muslim Welfare Society leaders warn of political fallout, question party leadership decisions
NAHAN — Muslim leaders in Himachal Pradesh have raised strong objections after no member from the community was included in the Congress party’s recently announced list of 71 block presidents.
The protest was led by the Himachal Pradesh All Muslim Welfare Society, which described the omission as unfair and troubling for minority representation in the state’s political structure.
In a joint statement, Chief Advisor Naseem Mohammad Didan, Senior Vice-President Advocate Shakeel Ahmad, and Sirmaur District Muslim Committee President Captain Saleem Ahmad criticised the decision and questioned the approach of the state Congress leadership.
Naseem Mohammad Didan said, “Not giving place to even a single Muslim in the list of 71 block presidents raises serious questions on the functioning of the state Congress leadership.”
He added that such decisions could weaken trust among minority communities. “This kind of step sends a negative message to Muslim voters who have supported the party for years,” he said.
The leaders also warned that the party may face political consequences if such concerns are not addressed. “If this continues, the Congress may have to face losses in future elections,” Didan stated.
The organisation further alleged that the issue goes beyond a single list and reflects a larger pattern of neglect. According to the statement, several important bodies related to minority welfare have not been formed in the state over the past three years.
Advocate Shakeel Ahmad said, “The state has not been able to form the State Haj Committee, the State Waqf Board, or implement the Prime Minister’s 15-point programme for minorities. This shows clear neglect.”
Captain Saleem Ahmad described the situation as unjust. “This is a matter of basic representation. Ignoring an entire community is not acceptable in a democratic system,” he said.
The leaders questioned why Muslim representation was missing entirely despite the presence of the community in various parts of the state. They urged the party leadership to review the list and take corrective steps.
They also called on Pradesh Congress Committee President Vinay Kumar to respond to the concerns and ensure fair inclusion moving forward.
So far, there has been no official response from the state Congress leadership regarding the allegations.
Political observers say that representation issues often become sensitive in states with smaller minority populations, and such matters require careful handling by political parties.
The development has added to ongoing discussions about inclusiveness in party structures and the role of minority communities in state politics.
The Muslim Welfare Society has said it will continue to raise the issue until appropriate action is taken.
