According to the 2011 Census, Muslims make up approximately 44.46% of the city’s population, while Hindus constitute around 55.21%
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – At a Mahapanchayat the Muslim community of Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan emphasised its unwavering loyalty to the Congress party and called for the selection of a Muslim candidate in the forthcoming by-election for the Jhunjhunu Assembly seat.
The meeting on Thursday highlighted the community’s pivotal role in the electoral success of Congress over the years, stressing the importance of fair representation in the political landscape.
During the recent assembly elections, community members vocally expressed their desire for the Congress party to acknowledge their long-standing support. Many attendees underscored that the party has consistently reaped the benefits of Muslim votes, urging Congress to reciprocate this loyalty by granting the party ticket to a Muslim candidate for the by-election.
Several speakers at the Mahapanchayat pointed to the vital contributions of the Muslim community, particularly the influential role of the Ola family. One speaker articulated, “Wherever Congress has won, it has been because of Muslim votes. If the symbol of loyalty has been ours, doesn’t Congress have a responsibility to reciprocate by granting a ticket to a Muslim candidate in the upcoming by-election?”
Addressing the gathering, former IAS officer Ashfaq Hussain reinforced the call for recognition from the Congress party. “The Muslim community has always voted for Congress. Now, it is the party’s responsibility to respect us and give a Muslim the ticket in this by-election,” he stated. He further emphasised the need for the community to realise the value of their votes, questioning, “If Congress doesn’t recognise our contribution, how long will we remain subservient? It’s time we determine our own path and unite to make a decision.”
Echoing Ashfaq’s sentiments, MD Chopdar, Chairman of the Madrasa Board, recalled the historical loyalty of Muslims to the Congress party. “Muslims have always stood by Congress. In 1998, when the BJP fielded a Muslim candidate, we ensured his defeat by supporting Congress. In 2008, we made sacrifices for the Congress, even at the cost of one of our own leaders,” he recounted. “In 2013, when Salim Tower ran for election from the BSP, we still stood by Congress. Even in 2018, when Salim Tower contested from the BJP, we supported Congress and defeated him, showing yet another instance of our loyalty.”
Chopdar highlighted the significance of the 2018 elections, where Muslim support played a crucial role in Congress’s victory. “We ensured that BJP’s Yunus Khan lost in the 2018 assembly elections, securing a victory for Congress candidate Sachin Pilot. How much more loyalty do we need to show?” he queried, signalling a strong demand for representation in the upcoming election.
As the Jhunjhunu by-election approaches, the Muslims have made their expectations clear. They are calling on the Congress party to acknowledge their long-standing allegiance by selecting a Muslim candidate for the upcoming election. This Mahapanchayat serves as a pivotal moment, placing additional pressure on Congress to address the community’s demands for representation.
Jhunjhunu is home to a diverse population. According to the 2011 Census, Muslims make up approximately 44.46% of Jhunjhunu city’s population, while Hindus constitute around 55.21%. The overall literacy rate in Jhunjhunu is recorded at 73.58%, with significant disparities in literacy rates between genders: male literacy stands at 86.90%, while female literacy is at 60.95%.
As the political landscape evolves in Jhunjhunu, the Muslim community’s call for representation reflects broader themes of loyalty, recognition, and the need for equitable political engagement. With the by-election on the horizon, it remains to be seen how the Congress party will respond to the community’s demands, and whether they will act to honour the loyalty shown by the Muslim electorate over the years.
