JD-U gives more representation to Muslims in state party

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

Patna: Considering Muslim votes crucial for victory, the state ruling party Janata Dal-United (JD-U) has given good representation to Muslims in its newly constituted state committee. The state assembly elections will be held later this year. Since the last assembly by-poll in which several seats were won by Lalu Yadav’s RJD and Ram Vilas Paswan’s LJP pushing JD-U at No. 3, the party and its leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar have taken several measures to please Muslims.

Mr. Vijay Kumar Choudhary, who was elected state JD-U president last month after Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lallan Singh resigned from the post because of differences with Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar, re-constituted the state committee yesterday.





As assembly election is expected to be held later this year, Mr. Vijay Kumar in his new team tried to give representation to all the sections of the people including Muslims and women. He also tried to calm the internal conflict within the party by giving due share to supporters of Nitish Kumar and Lallan Singh.

The most powerful committee called state executive committee has 75 members which include Ali Anwar, Monazir Hassan, Aslam Azad, Maulana Ghulam Rasool Balyavi, Fayyaz Bhaqalpuri and Masroor Alam.

Azim-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nematullah, Sulaiman Qureshi, Mohammad Ubaidullah, Mukhtar Ansari, Shameem Raza are among 42 state vice-presidents.

Javed Mahmood, Badr Alam Badr, Riyazul Haq, Mohammad Razaullah, Kahkushan Perveen, Ashraf Ansari, Nazima Begham, Mohammad Sufri, Dr. Naseem Ahmad Siddiqi, Pervez Khan, Qamr Alam, Chautan Khan, Ali Imam Bharti and Mustaqim Rangrez have been given places in the list of 87 general secretaries.

58 persons have been named as state secretaries which include Raziya Kaleem Ansari, Israeel Mansoori, Surayya Shihab, Shahnaz Bano, Maqsood Ansari, Soofiya Akhter Ansari, Anjum Aara, Tazammul Khan, Mohammad Sattar, Mohammad Mansoor Alam, Saeeda Bano, Mohammad Shamshad Alam and Mohammad Firoz Alam.

Abu Talib Rahmani has been elected president of state Minority Cell which fell vacant after Mr. Razaullah was promoted as state vice president while Mr. Faisal Rahman has been made president of state Youth Cell.

Karnataka anti-beef law affects food and employment of millions

By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,

Bangalore: Ignoring the agitation from several Muslim, Dalit and other Minorities organizations and protest by opposition parties of the state, Karnataka government led by BJP passed the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2010 which tramples upon the traditional food habits of people and reflects an attempt to impose Hindutva agenda in a democratic country.




The Bill, which effectively bans beef in Karnataka was passed March 19th when the bill got passage through voice-vote in the State Assembly despite all opposition parties including Congress and Janata Dal (S) strongly opposing it and shouted anti-government slogans in the house.

Karnataka had earlier an act called Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Prevention Act. That act though prohibited cow slaughter but one could do that with the condition of getting certificate from the competent authority which allowed slaughter of cow that was over 12 year old or had permanent physical problem and useless for the owners. However, under that act people could eat and use the beef freely after obtaining it from legal places.

But this existing law was not enough for the Sangh Privar and the BJP and they brought a new law called Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2010. This law not only bans slaughter of cattle, purchase, sale and disposal of cattle for slaughter but also prohibits usage and possession of beef which means a complete ban on beef eating. In this new law the word cow has been deleted which indicates that there is no difference between cow and ox in this regard and the same punishment is applicable for both. This means one can not sell his cow which is no longer gives milk or ox which is past its prime age.

Surprisingly, as per the act if seller or buyer is busy in deal and suspected by government officers that the cattle shall be slaughtered they will be deemed as committing crime. It gives unwanted power to the officers.

Anyone is found guilty of violating the new act is punishable with imprisonment for minimum one year and maximum seven years or fine with Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh or both.


Popular Front of India (PFI) which has been in front row of opposing the bill has strongly condemned this action of state BJP government and termed it anti-people and against spirit of democracy.


Talking to TwoCircles.net, Karnataka PFI president Mr. Ilyas Mohammad said: “We are opposing this bill because it snatches the right of food habits of a large number of people and anti-people as it will leave unemployed many Muslims who have been connected with the sale of beef and purchase and sale of cow and will badly affect those who have been involved in processing other things such as bones, hide etc. and also those who have been earning livelihood through fabricating and repairing products of leather.”

He also said instead of solving the problems faced by people in the state with such law government is creating more problem for the people.

Asked about others who opposing the bill he said: “We have been protesting against this Bill for long time and many organizations are with us. Last month we organized a state level protest rally in association with Karnataka Beef Merchants Association and Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike and which was backed by Tipu United Front, Stephens Square Merchants Association, Social Democratic Party of India, Praja Vimochana Chaluvali, Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti and Samatha Sainik Dal. But unfortunately BJP government ignored people sentiment and got the Bill passed.”


“The clause 14 of the Bill opens the door for misuse of it as it says that if anyone is found abetting any offence punishable under the act or attempts to commit the same also will get punishment. But there is no explanation that what is exactly meant by abetment which is very dangerous and many innocents may be target under this clause.” He added.


Asked about the next step he said: “PFI is raising voice against the Bill and will try to unite the like-minded organizations and groups as well as secular parties to put pressure on state government to revoke the controversial Bill.”


It is notable here that beef is not only eaten by Muslims but also Dalits, Christians, Tribals and many others prefer it as cheap way of consuming protein.

Batla House: Post-mortem report confirms Atif, Sajid were hit by blunt force

By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,

Batla House encounter victims Atif Ameen and Mohd Sajid were hit by ‘blunt force impact by object or surface’, besides multiple gunshot wounds. The post-mortem report, a copy of which is with TwoCircles.net, has confirmed this. The family members and relatives of the two terror suspects of Azamgarh, who gave them last bath, had claimed the bodies had multiple injuries of brutal beating. The million dollar question: why the police had to resort to beating of the suspects during a ‘genuine’ encounter.





Whether Atif Ameen and Mohd Sajid were involved in terror activities only the court can decide. But genuineness of the September 2008 Batla House encounter in which the two Azamgarh youths were killed has been contested since the day one on various counts. The injury marks other than the gunshot wounds on their bodies were presented by the families and several independent fact finding teams and human rights activists as strong proof that the encounter was fake and the duo were killed pointblank.

This is the first time since the encounter that the post-mortem report has come into public, thanks to tireless efforts of RTI activist Afroz Alam Sahil, a Jamia Millia Islamia student. To get this post-mortem report he knocked at every suitable door – Delhi police, AIIMS, Central Information Commission and National Human Rights Commission, but was shunted out on one ground or the other. Ultimately today he received the report from NHRC.





The four-page post-mortem report of Atif Amen says the cause of death was “shock and haemorrhage as a result of multiple injuries as described. All the injuries are produced by firearm ammunition except injury no 7 which is produced by blunt force impact by object or surface.”

In total the 24-year-old had 21 injuries on his body and all the injuries were “antemortem in nature,” says the report. Of 21, the number of gunshot wounds was 16.

Describing the injury no 7, the report says it was “reddish brown abrasion of 1.5x1 cm over outer and interior aspect of right knee cap.”

Similarly, Mohd Sajid, who had five bullet holes on the upper side of the head, was also beaten with blunt object.

His four-page post-mortem report mentions the cause of death was “craniocerebral damage as a result of gunshot injuries to head.”

Sajid had 14 injuries on his body. “Injury no. 1-12 are produced by firearm ammunition while injury no 13 and 14 are produced by blunt force impact on surface or by object,” confirms the report adding all the injuries were antemortem in nature.

Describing injury no. 13 the report says it was “4x2 cm abrasion, red in colour over back of chest in midline” and injury no. 14 was “laceration of size 3.5x2cm horizontally over front of right leg in the middle.”

Of 14, he had 11 gunshot wounds.





The two-page report of Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma who sustained bullet injuries during the shootout mentions the cause of death as “haemorrhagic shock due to firearm injury to abdomen.”

While mentioning antemortem injuries on Inspector Sharma, the report prominently says the entry wound on left shoulder and left upper arm was explored and debrided. Similarly, the exit wound on left arm and 10 cm below left shoulder top and 8 cm above left elbow joint was also explored and debrided. The post mortem report also says that it is alleged the deceased sustained injuries during cross firing in a police encounter in Jamia Nagar on 19/09/2008, he was taken to Holy Family hospital where he died the same day at 7 pm.

Five Muslims on indefinite hunger strike against police behavior

By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,

Ballarpur (Maharashtra): Five Muslims are on indefinite hunger strike since March 9, 2010 in Ballarpur town in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. They are demanding tough action against police officer Aslam Khan who is an inspector at Ghughes police station of the town. They blamed the officer to hurt their religious sentiment during the Miladun Nabi procession.

According to Safeer Ahmad, a local resident, on February 27th when local Muslims were taking out Eid Miladun Nabi procession in the city then suddenly inspector Aslam Khan reached there and used filthy language regarding the religious procession and threatened to stop it.

“The procession was going well like every year but the inspector came and said ‘stop this drama.’ This sentence made people angry which led to scuffle between people and police. The dispute damaged the display of Gumbad-e-Khazra then people refused to take procession forward unless the inspector is punished. After that SP reached the spot and appealed to take the juloos at conclusive place. He assured action against the inspector,” narrated Safeer Ahmad to TwoCircles.net.

After the incident despite several requests by the people, police did not file FIR against the inspector. On the contrary FIR was lodged against 13 people who were leading the procession.

They appealed to SP and other high level officers to give them justice but they failed to receive any response. Finally, five people went on indefinite hunger strike on March 9th, 2010. So far three of them have been admitted to the hospital in critical condition even though no action or solution came from the administration.

People say that they have informed to Chief Minister of the state, Home Minister and Minority Affairs minister about the incident and waiting action but they are uncertain that if they would get justice.

According to the residents this was not the first incident but the offending police officer has done a series of such incidents.

Rahber Coaching Centre offers free tuition to pre-matric minority students

By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,

Patna: With an aim to check pre-matric dropout rate in Bihar and Jharkhand, the Rahber Coaching Centre is providing free tuition to poor minority and other backward class students of Class 8-10. The centre has invited application from the eligible students to join free part-time coaching in different parts of Bihar and Jharkhand.

Rahber Coaching Centre is sponsored by Bihar Anjunm and The Aligarh Forum. It was started last year in several districts of Bihar and Jharkhand to reduce the drop-out rates among the minority communities. Overwhelmed with due success, the administration of the centre is going to start fresh batch from 3rd April in Patna, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Bhabua (all in Bihar), and Singhbhum (Jharkhand).




The poor students who are pursuing their education in government schools and their parents are unable to provide them with tuition due to poverty will be eligible to join the Centre wherein they will be coached after or before school times.

Last date for submission of applications is 25th March.



While talking to TwoCircles.net, Convener of Bihar Anjuman Mohammad Inam Khan said: “It is a milestone towards stopping the drop-out which is in alarming number among Muslims especially at the level of primary, middle, and higher secondary. The main reason for high dropout is poverty and lack of community support. Therefore, our team decided to try removing hurdle somehow in the way of those who are eager to avail higher education but poverty stops them in the middle path. We hire teachers for part-time service at these centres. They teach 3 hours before or after class times. Some teachers also offer their services voluntarily.”

“As Muslims are behind others in education in the light of Sachar Committee report, we are taking 85% Muslim students both boys and girls and 15% students from other backward communities at these centres” he added.


Asked about number of students who will be taken at each centre, he said: “We concentrate on quality education. So, the number of students depends on availability of good teachers. Therefore, it may be different in different places but it will be from 50 to 100 at each centre.


About future plan he said: “Currently, we are running these centres in selected areas. We are far from our vision that is to extend it to all localities dominated by the minority community in all districts of Bihar and Jharkhand.”



For further details one can call at these numbers:

9835299127/9334082259/ 9309482099/9386225599/

Conference report: Crisis in the Muslim mind and contemporary world

By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,

Patna: A two-day international conference on ‘Crisis in the Muslim Mind and contemporary world’ began today here at A.N. Sinha Institue of Social Studies, Patna. The conference is being organized by Institute of Objective Studies (IOS), New Delhi with the association of Forum for Literacy Awareness and Muslim Education (FLAME) Patna.


L-R (second) Dr M. Manzoor Alam, H. E.Debanand Konwar (Governor of Bihar), Dr Ahmad Abdul Hai, Prof. Abdu Hameed Abu Sulayman, Dr. Mashadi

“Islam teaches peace, brotherhood, kindness and respect of the humanity. Likewise other religions also give the same teachings but today there is not only crisis in the Muslim mind but also crisis in the mind of humanity at large. People are lacking knowledge even about their own religions which leads to misunderstanding. All religions should be treated nicely and justly because it will help to grow the civilization” said governor of Bihar H.E. Debanand Konwar while delivering the inaugural speech at the conference.


He appreciated the organizers for selecting the timely subject for the conference. “This is the important topic over which Muslim intellectuals, analysts and scholars should discuss because Muslims have given a lot to the world in every field who can forgets Umar Khayyam-the mathematician, philosopher, scientist and artist at the same time. But why Muslims are behind today it should be found out.”



In his welcome speech, Dr. Ahmad Abdul Hai, president of FLAME, said: “It is one step toward thousands miles journey to work for humanity. Islam is peace and blessing for humanity and the future of humanity lies in Islam. So, there is a need to stand up with the teachings of Islam and to call all to come for understanding the Islam.”


Chief Guest of the occasion Prof. Abdul Hameed Abu Sulayman, former rector, International Islamic University, Malaysia, spoke in length on the reason of crisis in the mind of Muslim with the references from the Quran, Hadith and history.



“Quran is guide for the humanity in all spheres of the life till the existence of the world but we have to find out that guidance. When we look at the period of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and his Caliphates especially the first two, we find that they were applying Islamic teachings in all their activities directly. But with the passage of time, people became lazy and left to think deeply over the Islamic principles to apply them in their lives. Thus they drew distance from Islam practically” he said.



“Four Imams used their minds to find out the solutions from the main sources of knowledge-Quran and Hadiths-confronting the people of that time. In fact many of their (Ijtehad) researches are applicable even today. Today we also need to go back to the Qur’an to find out the solution for our masaiel because philosophy for international peace is Islam


The conference was started with singing the national anthem followed by recitation of the Glorious Quran. The program was attended by intellectuals, scholars, educationists from across the city and outside of it.


In his presidential speech Dr. Manzoor Alam, chairman, IOS, highlighted the theme and objective of the conference.


“I do not feel any hesitation to say that there are crisis of thoughts among Muslims which came from the lack of knowledge. The conference has objective to create awareness among Muslims to deepen their knowledge” he said.



“You are the torch-bearer for the humanity and you can not do that unless you are knowledgable. You have sources of knowledge in the form of Quran and Sunnah you have to refer to them. If you are not just with yourselves then how you will be just with humanity at large” he urged.


Many intellectuals and educationists presented their papers on the theme of the conference including Prof. Z. M. Khan, secretary general, IOS, on “Dimensions of crisis in Muslim mind in contemporary world,” Prof. M.T. Khan on “Cognitive approach to the understanding of crisis in Muslim mind” and Prof. Syed Jalaluddin on “What confronts Islam and Muslims in India?.”

Patna Muslims react to the Women's Reservation Bill

By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,

Patna: After much hue and cry, at last Rajya Sabha has passed the Women's Reservation Bill, one of the most controversial bill, on 9th March 2010. Though its advocates named it a historical step towards women empowerment and necessary for active political participation of women but its opponent termed it as biggest blunder in democratic India and an attempt to deprive Minority and backward classes people.

TwoCircles.net talked to some Muslims in Patna to know their views about the Women's Reservation Bill (WRB). Overall Muslims of Patna appreciate the bill but demand quota for Muslims and other backward women to make sure they are adequately represented.





Mrs Insha, a social activist, while reacting on the topic said: “Woman reservation will benefit only those women who are already in politics or female relatives of politicians or aristocrats who have strong access to political parties.”

“This is nothing but Congress attempt to get political benefit because there is no need of reservations for women. There are many women in India who are working for the society without being in politics and they think that politics is not the only way to work for the development of the country. But I am not against taking part in politics. Of course, women should enter the politics,” she added.

Reyaz Azim Abadi, convener of the Bihar unit of Social Democratic Party of India, said that this bill in present form will cause the further discrimination to the backward classes especially Muslim women.

“With the passage of this bill 55%-22% for SCs &STs and 33% for women- seats will be reserved in Parliament and Assemblies and Muslims who are already under-representation can get their shares only within 45% because Muslims women will be sidelined by political mafias who control almost all major parties. When Muslim men are not given due share then how do I believe that Muslim women will be given their shares?” he asked.

“The real reason behind reduction of Muslim figure in Parliament and assemblies is that according to plan many Muslim dominated constituencies were remapped and reserved for SCs and STs which divested Muslims. After Women's Reservation Bill may be rest of the Muslim dominated constituencies will be reserved for women who obviously will not be from Muslim or backward communities. This bill will harm Muslims more than others. Therefore, the bill will be appreciated in case quota for Muslims and backward class women will be assured” he explained.

“Women's Reservation Bill is a part of conspiracy to push Muslims towards under-representation and backwardness which is designed by BJP and RSS and acted upon by Congress party because elitist groups will capture the reserved seats and Muslim women will be neglected as it has been happening with Muslims men. Thus representation of Muslims which is already inadequate will further reduce in Parliament and Assemblies” said Abu Qaiser, President of Muslim United Front.

“Actually it is an attempt to wash off the issue of Muslim reservation. Congress has been referring to legal complication in implementation of Ranganath Mishra Commission but it has passed the Women's Reservation Bill with full enthusiasm. Why Congress did not act in the same manner for Muslim reservation while all the parties except BJP and Shiv Sena are in the favor of it?” he asked.


He termed Congress more dangerous than BJP which has been following anti-Muslim agendas in independent India. “Muslim organizations and leaders should raise the united voice against it and come out on road because this is the right time to press and gherao the government for Muslim reservation. If we miss this chance then we will never get it” he continued.

Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi, Secratry of Imarat Sharia, said if the bill is really meant to empower the women then it needs some mandatory correction then only it will serve the real purpose.


“Firstly, when some seats are reserved in male quota of Parliament and assemblies for backward class then in women quota also some seats should be reserved for backward class women. Secondly, Muslims have been identified most backward as a community so Muslim women should be given due share in women reservation. Otherwise it will benefit only 15% people who have been controlling the country and 85% will remain deprived as they are,” said Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi who is also Bihar Haj Committee Chairman.

“We welcome the bill wholeheartedly if it has quota for women from Muslims and other backward classes otherwise we throw it in dustbin because it is useless in present form. Actually, when Indian legislative houses reserved 22% seats for SCs and STs, the upper class people could not digest it and they planned to reserve 33% seats for themselves in the guise of women empowerment. Therefore, we oppose it and demand amendment in the bill for reserving seats for marginalized women” opined Hassan Ahmad Qadri, General Secretary of Bihar Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind.


While Rehan Ghani, Managing editor of Urdu daily Pindar, has exclusive view on the issue and termed both favor and opposition of the bill as political gimmick.

“WRB will not help common women to get empowerment. Yes, it will strengthen nepotism and dynasty and thus by the virtue of the bill top politicians will get much strengthen as their wives, daughters and other female family members will also come in the political circle” he said.

“Those who favor the bill and those who are opposing it are not sincere. They all are fighting for their political gains. In the favor of the bill it is said that it will increase the number of women in the legislative houses but question is that whether only increase of number will solve the problem of women or will it empower them. I think not, because men are more capable to raise the voice for women rights than women. Today women who are holding top posts in the politics did not get that with the help of reservation but because of their capacity and determination. So, firstly we need to work for women empowerment, their social justice and education at grass root then we should talk about women reservation so that women from all classes can get their share. Otherwise it will not bring any change for common and downtrodden women.”

He further said: “If government or political parties are really serious for women upliftment then there should be provision that top brass politicians or ministers’ families should not be given tickets to give chances to the common women” he added.


“I strongly support the bill because it will help the society and country. Women have been playing key role in the building of families and countries throughout the history. We can not have a successful and pleasant family without help of women then how a society or country without their contribution? So, the bill will help women to come forward to offer their efforts for the country. I am not in the favor of quota within quota for Muslim or backward class women. There should be equality for all. Yes, political parties should give tickets to all sections of women” said Sultan Ahmad, working president of Citizen Welfare Association.

A housewife Zeba Naqvi summed it up the best. She said, “I do not think that Women's Reservation Bill is in the favor of common women because respectable women feel bad to enter the politics. It is because in India politics is considered dishonorable thing. So, the bill absolutely will benefit those who are already in politics or their relatives are there. There is need to purify the political environment, so that most women can take interest in the politics and there is no need for reservation for women. But if it is given then there should be quota for Muslims and backward women. If not then it is equivalent to opening backdoor for politicians’ families.”

A massive dharna of Muslim women demanding quota in WRB

By Manzar Bilal and Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net,

Patna: With enthusiasm and determination Muslim women in Patna today demanded their exclusive shares in Women's Reservation Bill. A number of Muslim women from across the city, mostly burqa wearing, sat on dharna under the banner of Bihar Muslim Khawateen Morcha at Kargil Chowk protesting against the bill in its present form and demanding quota for Muslim and backward women.




In fact, Kargil Chowk is one of the places in the city where agitation is part of daily routine but today’s was especial one as burqa clad Muslim women who are believed to be engaged only with house works were seen full of excitement who came out of their houses and announced that they are ready to fight for their rights on their owns.




They blamed Congress to have secret understanding with BJP to work on anti-Muslim agenda. They demanded the government to reconsider the decision about the bill otherwise they would agitate before state Assembly and Parliament.




“Muslim women have been neglected in the country. Since independence only 16 Muslim women were able to enter the Parliament. Currently, out of 59 women MPs there are only two Muslim women. This disappointing result is because of discrimination has been done with Muslim women. Therefore we demand fair share in the Women's Reservation Bill to make sure our due representation” said Shahzadi Perveen of Digha, who was leading the dharna.



“We are ready to adopt the formula “do or die” for our rights. We salute those who are raising voices for our rights in Parliament and will do jail bharo tahreek if our demand is not fulfilled” she added.



In her welcome speech Ms. Mumtaz Jahan, a ward counciller, said: “Gandhi ji has launched agitation against injustice of British government in Champaran district of Bihar which brought freedom to us now an agitation against dictatorship of elite people has started in the same state which will reach all over the country and finally we will defeat the oppressive forces.”



Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Nazneen Parveen from Phulwari Shareef said: “We are not given our rights being at homes so we came out on the road and we will continue fighting until we are given 10% exclusive quota within 33%. Government should not consider us weak we are daughters of Razia Sultana, Noor Mahal and Chand Bibi Begum and have capacity to fight for justice and cane bring down the government. So, our demand should not be overlooked anymore.”




While Ms. Roohi Parveen said that government should give chances to Muslim women to show their abilities: “We have always been pushed behind. Otherwise, we are not less than others in abilities and capacities. We demand quota in Women's Reservation Bill so that we can take part in the building of society and country.”




“We have been deprived of our rights but now we are not ready to see our new generation dwindling for their rights in their lives. We reject the Women's Reservation Bill in its present form because it will snatch our representation in legislative houses. We will gharao Parliament and will also go to Supreme Court” declared Naghma Khatoo, a ward member.



Besides, many of them also spoke on the occasion. When TwoCircles.net talked to some of them at sideline of the program they all repeated their demand that they want 10% reservation within 33% and for that they are ready to go any extant and to pay any price but they no longer ready to be ignored.



The dharna went at its prime stage when RJD chief Mr. Lalu Prasad along with his wife Mrs. Rabri Devi,ex-Bihar CM and leader of opposition in Bihar Assembly,reached there for few minutes. He was welcomed by program organizers and thanked for his efforts in Parliament for Muslim women.




Mr. Lalu Prasad repeated his stand of quota within quota for marginalized class women and said that he is ready to be thrown out of Parliament but will never ever favor the bill in its present form.



He appreciated the Muslim women present there: “Muslim women from Bihar have led over others to stage such massive dharna for their rights now we will raise the issue in the Parliament in more organize way. For that you have to continue your work at outside the Parliament”



The dharna was also joined by many other RJD leaders including Shakeel Ahmad Khan, spokesperson of RJD, Ghulam Ghose, leader of opposition in Bihar legislative Council, Nihaluddin, RJD MLA, Ram Chander, RJD MLA. They encouraged Muslims women to march ahead for their rights.

To work for Muslims our duty, not appeasement: Nitish Kumar

By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,

Patna: Just two days after LJP held a massive Muslims Rally at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, now it was the turn of Bihar ruling party JD(U) to woo Muslims by holding Aqalliati Falahi Bedari Conference (Minority Welfare Awareness Conference) at Gandhi Maidan in Jahanabad on 6th March. Addressing the conference Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar said working for Muslims is his government’s duty, not appeasement.

It was for the first time during 4.5-year regime of NDA alliance when state Minority Commission held such program. So, many can term it as preparation for forthcoming assembly election in the state.



Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar said: “Article 341 should be amended and 1950 presidential order should be removed because it deprives backward and Dalit Muslims from many facilities that are their due rights and also it is on the basis of religion. I have raised this matter in the parliament when I was its member.”

“To give especial attention toward education of Muslims is essential for development of them. Therefore, we have started many schemes to bring Muslims children specially girls to schools which indeed bore fruits. Our government is keen to uplift Muslims and other marginalized people and it is our duty not appeasement” he added.

He counted his works by his government and urged people to give another chance to complete left works.

The conference began with the recitation of the Glorious Qura’n and was presided over by Naushad Ahmad, Chairman of Bihar Minority Commission, and attended by a large number of people.



In his speech, Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi, Secretary, Imarat Shariah and Chairman, Bihar Haj Committee, said: “A lot of things are yet to be done for Muslim community because almost 60% Muslims are still living below poverty line which is a matter of concern. The whole country is like a family, so, both states and centre governments must behave equally with all citizens irrespective of their religions and castes.”

He also appealed to Muslims to be united for their rights and to take benefits from schemes run by government for their welfare.


Addressing the gathering Maulana Shamim Munemi,Sajjada Nashin Khanqah Munemia, urged Muslims to stand up for their rights.

“You are lagging behind others in all fields of life so you have to come up to get your rights. Then only you can get facilities like other downtrodden communities” he said.

Why Muslims became backward gradually is a matter to be seriously thought about, he said.

“Gandhi ji came up to uplift the Hareejan (Lower class people) now we have to see who will come to uplift Muslims? Why such a situation is created in the country that pushes a community behind and then we need special efforts for them” he asked.

He appealed to Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar to go ahead with justice to all “then you will get Muslim support because Muslims want to go with reality and not only promises.”

Others who addressed the conference include Shah Saifuddin Firdisi of Khanqah Firdisia, Bihar Sharif, Maulana Syed Mohammad Sanaullah, secretary of Idara Shariah, Maulana Shakeel Ahmad Qasmi, Shahzad Anwar, Secretary of Bihar Urdu Academy, Abdul Qayyum, Secretary of Anjuman Traqqi Urdu, Bihar.

Muslims have key for formation of next Bihar govt: Ram Vilas Paswan

By Manzar Bilal, Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net,


Patna: Muslim votes have been crucial in the formation of governments in Bihar. Therefore, almost all leading parties in the state have been fighting to win their vote. The state is going to vote later this year for assembly, so, once again this battle has geared up with Lok Janshakti Party holding a massive ‘Muslim Rally’ at historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna today.



“Muslims have key for formation of next government in Bihar. They have to decide whom they want to hand over the key for governance. I am sure Rashtriya Janata Dal- Lok Janshakti Party alliance will form the next government in the state if Muslims vote for it unitedly” said LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan while addressing the rally.





Thousands of Muslims from different parts of the state and all top leaders of the party including 12 MLAs and 3 MLCs attended the rally which filled the western part of the Gandhi Maidan. It was the first of its kind rally for LJP in the capital city of the state wherein such huge Muslim gathering was seen on its call. For that, convener of the rally and vice president of LJP Mr. Ahmad Ashfaq Kareem was lauded by the party chief.



“There are two ways to fight for one’s right in the country; to raise voice in the Parliament or Assemblies, and to come out on the road. Muslims need to use both the ways to get justice” he urged adding “You have to make efforts for your right because no one is going to take your matter if you are not active for that.”









He said that it is a fact that Muslims have fought for the freedom of the country and contributed in the building of the nation like other communities but they are branded as foreigners by communalists.



“Those who are naming Muslims as sons of Babur are either unaware of the history or violating the history because Muslims had been ruling India for much earlier. It is true that in the beginning some Muslims came to India from outside who lived here and died here but most of the Muslims were those original residents of India especially lower class people who embraced Islam because of its teaching of equality for all. Thus the number of Muslims grew faster here” he explained.





“When Babri Masjid was demolished we asked why it happened, RSS and BJP leaders replied, because it was built by Babur who was foreigner. We said then demolish Lal Qila (Red Fort) and Taj Mahal because that were built by sons of Babur, bring down Parliament and Rashtrapati Bhawan because they were built by British government who was outsider and anti-nation” he told.



He also criticized central government for ban on SIMI. “SIMI is banned without sufficient evidence, then why RSS, Bajrang Dal and Shiv Sena are not put in the same dock despite of the fact that they are spreading violence and hate all time” he asked.



Mr. Ahmad Ashfaq Kareem


Speaking on the occasion Mr. Ahmad Ashfaq Kareem, LJP national vice president, said: “The implementation of Ranganath Mishra Commission report is necessary to bring Muslims on development line. Therefore, we demand central government to take accurate step in this regard without ifs and buts because Muslims have stood up and they no longer will be cheated.”



If LJP-RJD alliance comes to power in Bihar, we will give 10% reservation to Muslims without any condition” he added.



Mr. Ahmad Ashfaq Kareem and Ram Vilas Paswan


He blamed state government for not implementing properly schemes started for welfare of Muslims especially PM’s 15 points Program which worsened the condition of Muslims.



Addressing the rally Mr. Shoaib Iqbal, LJP MLA from Delhi, said: “History has been witnessing that Muslims have been oppressed badly and after they were killed, their properties looted and destroyed, commissions have been set up but when commissions submitted their reports there was no action against guilty. Liberhan Commission report is an example for that.”





He also said that Muslims have given example of real secularism by accepting Hindus as their leaders because their intentions were to build a strong and secular country, yet they have been suspected for all wrong incidents.



“LJP was the first party to put the implementation of Mishra Commission report in its manifesto for 2009 LS election which was followed by almost 22 parties. But unfortunately Congress was not among them” recalled Abdul Khaliq, LJP national general secretary.





“What is the problem with central government when all secular parties are agreed upon for implementation of the Mishra report” he asked



LJP senior leader Salahuddin Khan said that the development of the country depends on communal harmony and unity. Country will never progress till each one raise voice for others’ right. This was the secret behind winning freedom struggle.





Though program was named as Muslim Rally but most of the leaders skipped community issue and they spent their times in praising the Party chief or counting the works done by the party for Muslims. Only few of them spoke for some time on the Muslim issue. Thus the rally lost its name ‘Muslim Rally’ and became LJP Rally.



Others who addressed the daylong rally include Dr. Izhar Ahmad, LJP MLA, Israeel Rayen, LJP MLC, Afzal Abbas, national president of LJP Minority Cell, Ram Chander Paswan, former MP and president of Dalit Sena, Mr. Sabir Ali, Rajya Sabha MP, Dr. Shahnawaz Kaifi, state president of LJP Minority Cell.