Report Card of Rajya Sabha: Top performer again from Andhra

By TwoCircles.net,

Whether it is Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, Andhra Pradesh rules the roost. The Muslim Members of Parliament from the South India state lead others from the community when it comes to performance on the floor of the House. While Asaduddin Owaisi has led Lok Sabha, Mohammad Ali Khan from the state is top scorer in the Rajya Sabha during the Budget Session 2010 that ran from 22 February to 07 May.

In the 32-day-long session, 61-year-old Mohammad Ali Khan asked 90 questions, just 10 short of 100 – the mark Owaisi, Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad, crossed in the same session on the floor of the Lower House.





Khan is closely followed by rather younger Kamal Akhtar of Samajwadi Party. The 38-year-old Akhtar from Uttar Pradesh put 89 questions before the House. The third position again goes to Andhra Pradesh – Syed Azeez Pasha, 64, of Communist Party of India had 84 questions in his kitty.

There are 28 Muslim Members in the Rajya Sabha – the Upper House or House of Elders of Indian Parliament. Let’s tally the performance of only 26 MPs – as K Rahman Khan and Ghulam Nabi Azad, both from Congress, are Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha and Union Minister respectively.

Of 26, eight Muslim MPs had nothing to ask in Rajya Sabha during the budget session. Two are from Congress and one each from Muslim League, Janta Dal (United), BSP, RJD, RLD and National Conference. Regarded as good orator in the community, Maulana Mahmood Madani, leader of Jamiat Ulema-I-Hind and MP of RLD (Rashtriya Lok Dal) is also among the non-performers.

It is interesting to note that most of the zero or low performers are those who remained present on all 32 days of the session while top three performers could not register 100% attendance – Mohd Ali Khan (31 days), Kamal Akhtar (27 days), Syed Azeez Pasha (26 days).

There were seven MPs who were present in the House on all 32 days but most of them performed poorly -- Rashid Alvi of Congress asked just 2 questions, A A Jinnah of DMK 1 question, Mohammed Amin of CPI-M and Ahmad Saeed Malihabadi (Independent) 6 questions each and Jabir Hussain of RJD zero question. Moinul Hassan of CPI-M, however, was an exception with 51 questions in 32 days.

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Muslim League reviving its cadres in Bihar to contest next assembly poll

By Manzar Bilal and Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net,

Patna: “If Muslims had been united, no political party or government would have ignored them. It is a matter of concern that Bihar has 18% Muslims but it has not given reservation to them while other states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnatka have sanctioned reservation for them” said Mr. E. Ahmad, the Railway Minister for state, here on 11 October.

He was addressing a program organized by Bihar chapter of Indian Union Muslim League at conference hall of Taramandal in Patna.

Mr. E. Ahmad who is also national president of Indian Union Muslim League came here at his two-day visit to gear up the workers and members of the party for assembly election in the state likely to be held next year.

Criticizing Bihar political leaders, he said that Muslim community of the state has got nothing from those politicians who came to power in the state and enjoyed long terms by the virtue of Muslim votes.

“Leave alone to do any thing for the betterment of the Muslims, the state government did not implement lots of central government’s schemes meant for minorities. I really regret upon the situation in the state” he added.

He highly praised the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for his welfare schemes to uplift the minority communities.

“It was Dr. Manmohan Singh who concerned the problems of Muslims and started some welfare schemes to solve them and at least he gave Muslims assurance to meet their challenges. But I cannot say that all problems of the community have been solved during the regime of Manmohan Singh” said Mr. Ahmad.

“We are national Minority and we are not asking charity from any one but our constitutional rights along with other backward classes” he added.

He also said that Muslim League has been representing in the parliament since 1952 till the date without any break though sometimes with one or sometimes with two members. On the contrary there were many parties that came and went and now that do not have even regional appearance.

“Muslim League will contest the next assembly election in the state with enthusiasm and it will also give the fair representation to women. Therefore, I appeal to women to come forward and take part in the activity of Indian Muslim League” he said.

Urging the party workers, he said: “We should strengthen the party at village level, for that we will have to work hard and go from door to door.”

Hundreds of common people, dignitaries and party workers including women were present in the program to listen to Mr. E Ahmad.

Speaking on the occasion, the president of Bihar Indian Muslim League, Mr. Naeem Akhter said that the party has succeeded to have its units in 20 districts out of 38 in the state and trying to get recognition across the state.

“We have examined all parties in the state but they did not do anything for us. So, it is time to give a chance to Indian Muslim League. Insha Allah (if God wills) you will get the fruits on the pattern of Kerala” he promised.

Report card: Muslim Members of Rajya Sabha during July-Aug ’09 session

By TwoCircles.net,

Unlike their Muslim counterparts in the Lok Sabha, the majority of Muslim Members of Rajya Sabha have spoken during the July-August 2009 session of the Upper House of the Indian Parliament. In this last part of the two-part series on the performance of Muslim MPs on the floor of the Parliament, we are presenting facts and figures on the participation of Muslim Members of Rajya Sabha.

While in the Lok Sabha, Asaduddin Owaisi (He represents Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh) had led Muslim MPs in asking questions and taking part in debates, in the Rajya Sabha Muhammad Ali Khan (from the same state) with 74 questions in the session is far ahead from other Muslim MPs.

Of 29 Muslim Rajya Sabha MPs whose data we collected, 11 remained mute spectators on the floor of the House during the last session. Among those who spoke, Jabir Hussain (RJD, Bihar) asked the least questions – just three – while Muhammad Ali Khan (INC, Andhra Pradesh) asked the most – 74.

Unfortunately, Rajya Sabah website do not show information about debate participation so we don't know how much our esteemed MPs participated in the house.

For Lok Sabha report Click here

Punch line: those who kept mum in the House include ones who hardly miss an opportunity to speak about the community outside the House. Prominent among them are Ali Anwar Ansari (JD-U, Bihar), a known face of Muslim reservation campaign, and Muhammad Adeeb (Independent supported by Congress and SP, Uttar Pradesh).

Type of Questions

Questions are of three types:-

Starred, Unstarred and Short Notice Questions

A Starred Question is one to which a member desires an oral answer in the House and which is distinguished by an asterisk mark. When a question is answered orally, supplementary questions can be asked thereon. Only 20 questions can be listed for oral answer on a day.

An Unstarred Question: is one which is not called for oral answer in the House and on which no supplementary questions can consequently be asked. To such a question, a written answer is deemed to have been laid on the Table after the Question Hour by the Minister to whom it is addressed. It is printed in the official report of the sitting of the House for which it is put down. Only 230 questions can be listed for written answer on a day.

A Short Notice Question is one which relates to a matter of urgent public importance and can be asked with shorter notice than the period of notice prescribed for an ordinary question. Like a starred question, it is answered orally followed by supplementary questions.



Name: Mr Abdul Wahab Peevee
Age: 59
Conctituency: Kerala
Party name: Muslim League

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Report card: How much Muslim MPs spoke during Lok Sabha session July - August 2009

By TwoCircles.net News Desk,

No platform other than the Parliament could be more powerful to raise the voice of the voiceless – to inform the government and the nation about the grievances of the common people, the minorities, the downtrodden. Yet, Muslim Lok Sabha Members do not use the platform as much as they are expected to. Their performance during Lok Sabha session July-Aug 2009 was disappointing as majority of 30 Muslim MPs did not ask any question, nor did they take part in debate. Debutants also remained silent except Badruddin Ajmal, Dhubri MP and chief of Assam United Democratic Front. He asked six questions and also took part in debate.

Senior Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi led from front as he asked 47 questions, far ahead from other Muslim MPs. Following is a report card of Muslim Lok Sabha MPs in the recent session of the House.

Type of Questions

Questions are of three types:-

Starred, Unstarred and Short Notice Questions

A Starred Question is one to which a member desires an oral answer in the House and which is distinguished by an asterisk mark. When a question is answered orally, supplementary questions can be asked thereon. Only 20 questions can be listed for oral answer on a day.

An Unstarred Question: is one which is not called for oral answer in the House and on which no supplementary questions can consequently be asked. To such a question, a written answer is deemed to have been laid on the Table after the Question Hour by the Minister to whom it is addressed. It is printed in the official report of the sitting of the House for which it is put down. Only 230 questions can be listed for written answer on a day.

A Short Notice Question is one which relates to a matter of urgent public importance and can be asked with shorter notice than the period of notice prescribed for an ordinary question. Like a starred question, it is answered orally followed by supplementary questions.


Name: Mr. Abdul Mannan Hossain
Age: 57
Constituency: Murshidabad (West Bengal )
Party name: Indian National Congress(INC)

No. of questions: 0

No. of debates: 0


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[With inputs from Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net Patna correspondent]

Lok Sabha elections: For Patna Muslims security a major issue

By Manzar Bilal and Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net,

We do not hope anything from political parties for it is useless. Yes, we will vote for a party which assures to provide adequate security to the Muslim community from organized violence. Given the scenario of the country it will be better for us to vote for UPA at least to keep L K Advani away from being prime minister of India” says Muhammad Saleem, a fruit seller in Patna.

His views are shared by most of those Patnaites TwoCircles.net talked to. Security and keeping communal forces out of power are major concerns for people in this backward state where civic amenities are rare. Given the history of the Congress, a section is considering alternative. However, many are fed up with political parties, and hence have lost interest in elections.

Muhammad Saleem, a fruit seller in Patna

When TCN team in Patna met Muslims from different classes to know their opinions they found them angry with political parties because all of them have always exploited and cheated the community. They also criticized Muslim leaders who just serve their own purposes and do not dare to raise voice in Parliament and assemblies against cruelty on Muslims.

“We are not happy with any political party because all have been befooling us since Independence. No one is going to solve our problems until we ourselves stand to do so. Once our ratio in government sector was 14 percent and now it is less than 2 percent” said Qamar Rizwi, a businessman in Patna city. He further said: “I am not able to decide as to which party I should vote as all parties are sailing in the same boat”.

Qamar Rizwi, a businessman in Patna

50-year-old Hafiz Mazaherul Haq is so much upset with political parties that he is not interested to vote. He does not remember when he voted last. “I do not vote for any party because they are not serious about our problems and I do not see any alternative for which I should vote” he added.

Though Muslims are disappointed with all the parties including Congress but because they do not see any suitable alternative so some of them have soft corner for UPA alliance compared to NDA. They are going to vote only on the basis of security matter and to keep BJP out of power.

“This is a parliamentary election so we should vote for the party keeping an eye on national and international issues” said Mr. Fazluddin, owner of a cloth shop, adding that the present government led by UPA alliance has done better works at national and international level than NDA alliance. “Though the Sachar Committee report remains to be implemented but this government implemented many schemes for the minority communities compared to the previous one” he said.

Mr. Fazluddin, owner of a cloth shop in Patna

Muhammad Mahmood, a poor worker from Sitamarhi district working in Patna, expressed his anguish saying that besides giving every kind of sacrifice Muslims are discriminated in every aspect of life in the country. Asked which party he is going to vote for he said: “I will vote for the party which will provide security to Muslims and manage peaceful environment in the country because whenever violence erupts we become jobless” said Md. Mahmood.

Muhammad Saleem, a fruit seller in Sabzi Bagh, Patna, felt sorry to say that even Muslim leaders are not sincere to solve the problems faced by Muslims, let alone the politicians from other community. “We do not hope anything from political parties for it is useless. Yes, we will vote for a party which will give assurances that they will provide adequate security to the Muslim community from organized violence” he said adding, “Seeing the scenario of the country it will be better for us to vote for UPA alliance at least to keep L K Advani away from being prime minister of India” said Saleem.

“We want to live peacefully along with other communities in the country, and during this government led by UPA we did not see any pre-planned riot such as Gujrat riot so we will give vote in favour of UPA alliance” said 60-year-old vendor Muhammad Moheet. “Government should initiate to tackle poverty that we are facing today” he added.

Muhammad Moheet, vendor in Patna

As Muslims have bitter experience with Congress and BJP some of them want to do new experience and give chance to any new alliance.

Muhammad Asrar, a social activist, blamed all political parties that came to power after Independence for pushing Muslim community towards educational, social and financial backwardness by their double-standard policies. “Both Congress and BJP have always pained us. If Congress is a secular party so why it did not implement the Sachar Committee report and Sri Krishna Commission report and why Babri Masjid case is still stuck in court” he said. He also said that many welfare schemes were announced by government but how many Muslims have benefited is not known. “We will vote for non-UPA and non-BJP alliance so we can test them also” said Asrar.

“We want to change the government so that no party can take us as for granted and then neglect our problems and exploit us as happened in the past” said Dr. Ataur Rahman. He also advised Muslim leaders to learn lessons from the leaders of other communities who do not hesitate to go any extent for the benefit of their communities.