The issues highlighted during a meeting between the Congress leader and Muslim delegation include the absence of administrative bodies and injustices against Urdu teachers.
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – A delegation of Muslim representatives from Jharkhand state pressed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for concerted actions to address the challenges faced by the Muslim community in the state.
This came in a meeting between the Muslim delegation and the former Congress president in Ranchi District’s Irba city. Gandhi was in the city recently as part of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
Khursheed Hasan Rumi, spokesperson of the Pradesh Congress Committee in Jharkhand, articulated the pressing concerns plaguing the Muslim community in Jharkhand, reports reaching here said on Thursday.
Among the critical issues highlighted was the absence of crucial administrative bodies such as the Haj Committee, Waqf Board, Urdu Academy, and the need for the development of the minority financial corporation. Rumi emphasised the urgency of rectifying this situation to ensure adequate representation and support for the Muslim community.
Moreover, the delegation brought to light the injustices faced by Urdu teachers in the state’s education system. They urged the removal of provisions creating barriers in the appointment of Urdu teachers, advocating instead for the equitable distribution of vacant Urdu Primary Teacher positions across different grade levels. The delegation underscored the need for comprehensive rehabilitation measures, in line with directives issued in 2012.
During the discussion, state party leader Manzoor Ahmed Ansari highlighted the lack of representation for Muslim minorities within the OBC category, both in government positions and within the judicial system. The implementation of the primary school teacher promotion rule draft, particularly concerning the appointment of Urdu teachers, was scrutinised, with concerns raised over potential disparities in recruitment criteria.
He further stated that the state government’s School Education and Literacy Department is unfairly treating the issue of promotion of primary school teachers. In response to the delegation’s grievances, Rahul Gandhi assured a thorough examination of the issues raised and delegated the matter to Jharkhand state in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir for further investigation and action.
The meeting underscored the need for proactive measures to address the systemic challenges faced by the Muslim community in Jharkhand, emphasising the importance of inclusive policies and equitable representation in governance and education sectors.
Providing details of the meeting, a delegation member told Clarion India over the phone that there was a generally limited awareness of the Muslim politics in Jharkhand. Consequently, many perceive Muslim concerns as merely opportunistic attempts to garner votes rather than recognising them as legitimate issues deserving attention and resolution. However, the representative noted that while some acknowledge this perspective, a few agreed with it.