From new govt, Muslims demand reservation, end to victimization on terror

By TCN Team,

New Delhi: While political parties are religiously concentrated on forging alliances and making new friends to grab Dillik ki Satta (central government) the Muslims, as the largest religious minority, feel detached thinking nothing will change for the community whoever comes to power. However, they have some genuine demands, both at local and national level, from the coming new government.

Muslims demand inclusion of the community in the reservation categories. They want more representation in legislatures, from Parliament to Panchayat. But what they urgently want from the new central government is the end of victimization of the community in the name of war against terror. Locally, they cry for proper civic amenities in Muslim dominated areas and a program for their development. But they are not much hopeful.





Ask about their expectations from the coming government at the centre, they will say: whoever comes to power, none is going to work for the welfare of the Muslim community. No political party is thinking honestly for the development of the community. They are using it just as a vote bank.

This is the general feeling of Muslims in any city.

A Jama Masjid area resident in Delhi says: No government works for the Muslim community. We have got fed up. In this Jama Masjid area there are several colonies which have no hospital and no marriage hall. No party, whether it is Congress or other, is sincere about the community. They just exploit the community for their own benefits. They treat us as vote bank.





Another one is more critical of the Congress for its apathy towards Muslim community since Independence: “The Congress has not done anything for the Muslim community. Since 1947 the party never fielded a Muslim candidate in Delhi. Congress is an open enemy of the Muslim community. Since Independence the party did nothing for the community. Muslims are being treated as a vote bank.” He demands more representation in legislature and “the government should stop the victimization of Muslim community in the name of terrorism.”

There are many in Delhi who want that Muslims should be given their rights. They should be given reservation. The government should sincerely work for the economic development of the community.





Like many in Delhi a Patna Muslim also does not pin much hope on the government. He says: whoever comes to power, none is going to work for the welfare of the Muslim community. Like in other parts of the world Muslims are being humiliated in India also. In the name of terrorism the community is being victimized. No political party is thinking honestly for the development of the community. They are using it just as a vote bank.

(Manzar Bilal and Mudassir Rizwan in Patna, Mumtaz Alam Falahi in Delhi)

Urdu Language essential to protect Islamic culture and identity: Rehan Ghani

By Manzar Bilal and Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net,

To solve problems facing Urdu Language in Bihar pressure groups should emerge once again like the ones that ensured it second official language status in the state, says Rehan Ghani, Managing Editor, Pindar, one of the oldest Urdu dailies in Bihar. Concerned with the Urdu speakers’ apathy towards the language, Ghani, also Associate Editor, Door Darshan, Patna, holds Urduwalas more responsible than the government for the sordid state of the language.

What are the difficulties and challenges before Urdu language in the country especially in Bihar?

Urdu language faces lots of difficulties and challenges from two sides: from the government and from the speakers of the language. Today a big problem is that we (Urdu speakers) have thrown out Urdu from our houses. Though we organize seminars and mushayera in metro cities we are not giving attention to the basic education of Urdu language. So, when the basic education of the language will stop then needless to say about its higher education.

There is a need for Urdu speakers to be aware of the problems and interests of the language. And they should think to solve its problems and protect its interests.

As for the difficulties from the government side, we cannot blame the government much because all the governments take decision when they are pressurized. For example, in Bihar Urdu is second official language but it got the status after much sacrifice of the community. Our forefathers sacrificed for it, they made a pressure group and put the demands before the government and also they made it an election issue until the government believed that Urdu speaking people became awake and if their demands were not fulfilled, the government would bear the political losses. Only then it accepted their demand and Urdu became second official language.

Today though Urdu language is facing problems from government but most of the problems are from our own side because we are not serious to solve the problems. Once again there is a need to make a pressure group only then the problems of the language will be solved both in Bihar and in the country. Therefore, I think that Urdu speakers and Urdu newspapers are themselves responsible for all the problems of Urdu.

What should be done to solve the problems?

The proprietors and editors of Urdu newspapers and well-wishers of the language from mainstream sections should sit together to point out the problems and see which problems we can solve and which ones can be solved by government. Then we should make a pressure group which would put pressure on government time to time. Actually most of the problems do not reach the government. Therefore, there is a need of a group which would make government aware about the problems of Urdu and also suggest the government ways to solve them.

Is it true that Urdu newspapers publish old news?

It is not true at all. Maybe this was happening 20 years back but in this age of internet, information and technology it is totally wrong to say that Urdu newspapers publish old news because today Urdu newspapers are as much updated as English and Hindi newspapers.

What is the circulation of Pindar?

(Smiling) when any one asks me about circulation of newspaper, I reply: do not ask any man about his salary and any woman about her age because they will never say truth about that. Similar is the case with newspapers. I am not proprietor therefore I cannot give you exact numbers. Yes, Pindar is in circulation and people of different parts of Bihar like it.

When did you join Pindar?

I joined ‘Pindar’ as Editor in 2004 when its proprietor decided to revive it. It is one of the oldest Urdu newspapers in Bihar but it was not in circulation for long. Soon after joining it I took several steps for its development. It is progressing day by day and now it is available in all parts of Bihar.

How will you assess the progress of Pindar in the last five years under your editorship?

Pindar progressed in terms of colour as well as number of pages. Earlier it was published in black and white and had 6 pages but now it is being published colours with 8 pages. Therefore people like it and its circulation is increasing day by day. But as a whole number of Urdu readers is decreasing which is the matter of concern for Urdu speaking people. The efforts which should be done to create awareness among people towards Urdu and Urdu newspapers are not going on so far. English or Hindi newspapers are using lots of means to attract people but Urdu newspapers are far behind in this regard.

What should be done for that?

Firstly, Urdu newspapers should increase their pages because English and Hindi newspapers have 20-28 pages but Urdu newspapers have hardly 6-12 pages which also contain advertisement then obviously we carry less material. Secondly, there should be columns for different topics. For example, the news from different parts of the country should be published separately. Similarly news about youths, women, job and economy should also be given specific spaces. Though I work with Pindar but in this regard I appreciate Roznama Rashtriya Sahara because it understood the need of the time. Therefore, it has more pages and every page for different issues. It carries news of almost all parts of Bihar. It brought out a revolution in the state Urdu journalism which created a competitive environment among the Urdu newspapers that surely benefited Urdu and Urdu journalism.

Did Roznama Rashtriya Sahara affect the readership of Pindar?

No. As a whole it did not affect Pindar because it has its own readers. It means that Pindar has been trying to build a good society because being Muslims we have some responsibilities about our religion and society. Therefore we do not carry nude pictures. We concentrate on carrying articles which may help to reform the society. We do not highlight the news of crimes and any such thing which may send a wrong message to the society because we believe that newspaper is one of the means to build good society and we will be asked about that. Because of these qualities Pindar has hold its place among a section of people.

How does government help Urdu newspapers?

In Bihar government helps Urdu newspapers more than in any other state. All those Urdu newspapers that are recognized by state government receive government advertisements and nowadays it is more compared to past. But on the other hand it is tragedy for Urdu journalism in Bihar that its working journalists are living miserable life.

Who can play an important role to solve the problems of Urdu newspapers?

The roles of government, proprietors, wealthy people and common readers of Urdu newspapers are required to solve the problems of Urdu newspapers and problems will not be solved unless all of them perform their roles sincerely. I want to explain here one thing that in Bihar proprietors of the newspapers are generally editors also, it does not matter that he is journalist or not. But a daily newspaper named ‘Inqilab-e-Jadeed, published from Patna, changed this tradition and its owner appointed a working journalist as its editor. Following this step Pindar also did the same. Its owner honoured me by appointing me as chief editor of the daily but because of a controversial write-up of mine I was dismissed from that post. Currently I am managing editor of the daily.

Is the new generation going away from Urdu language?

Yes, the new generation is turning away from the language. But they are not responsible for that; rather we parents are responsible for this because we are getting materialistic and have forgot our responsibilities about our language, our culture and our identity. Of course, we should make efforts for our necessities but should also be careful about our culture and identity.

What is your message for Urdu speaking people?

I request youths that as they are learning science and technology etc. they should spend at least one hour out of 24 hours to learn their mother language because it is their responsibility to protect it and make all efforts for its development and if they will not understand this language, then how they can fight for its right? Therefore, they should try to understand the problems of Urdu because people who are fighting for the betterment of Urdu today they will not be in future and new generation will have to counter these problems. Parents should also teach their children Urdu and keep Urdu books and newspapers in their houses. Unfortunately today there are many houses of Urdu speaking people where Hindi and English newspapers are available but not Urdu newspaper. People should understand the fact that Urdu language is essential to protect our Islamic culture and identity and if Urdu language disappears we will lose our civilization and identity.

(About the interviewee (editor): Rehan Ghani started his journalism career with Urdu daily Sangam’ published from Patna under the editorship of late Ghulam Sarvar, ex-minister of Bihar. He also worked with ‘Qaumi Awaz’ another daily from Patna. Then he was appointed as Urdu translator in the state department of Rajbhasha and worked there for only two years as he felt that though he was appointed as Urdu translator he was working as a clerk and nothing related to Urdu language. He resigned and came back to Qaumi Awaz. He spent around six months with ‘Urdu Samachar’ in Nagpur. Then he joined Door Darshan, Patna, as associate editor and is continuing till date. He joined Pindar as editor in 2004.)

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.

Normalcy returning to riot torn Gopalgunj District

By Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net reporter,

Patna: Saran Division Commissioner Ashok Kumar Chauhan while talking to twocircles.net said:"Members from both the sides are taking round of the area to take locals in confidence. Situation is completely under control and no untoward incidence has been reported so far since the past few hours. We have taken all the precautionary measures to avoid recurrence of any unfortunate incident".

It is to be recalled that around yesterday afternoon tension broke out between the members of two communities in the Pathanpatti area of Gopalganj district in Bihar, which falls under Barawli police station.

Tension escalated when members of a particular community decided to follow through the route of Pathanpati area, along with the procession, led by a strong mob, for the purpose of idol immersion on the occasion of Saraswati puja.

Madrasa Insaful Uloom was put on fire but all the students were able to make safe exit.

Gopalganj tense, madrasa put on fire by ‘idol processionists’

By Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net reporter,

Patna: A madrasa called Insaful Uloom and some houses of Muslims were put on fire today in Pathan Patti area of Barauli Police Station in Bihar’s Gopalganj district allegedly by a mob of thousands of processionists who were taking idols for immersion through a route never used for that purpose.

Eyewitness talks to TwoCircles.net:

In the ensuing clash between the two communities some people including some policemen have reportedly sustained injuries. A police sub-inspector is reported to have died of heart attack immediately after the incident.

Locals told TwoCircles.net that the idols of Hindu deity Saraswati was immersed some days back but people from five villages did not immerse their idols and were adamant to take them through the Muslim area which was never used for immersion procession. On that route fall a mosque and Madrasa Insaful Uloom. Village head had already written to authorities that the route should not be used. However, they remained adamant.

Today around 1 pm a mob of more than 10 thousand processionists from the five villages gathered at a place and proceeded with the idols to the route which was prohibited. The administration was aware of the situation as the news about growing tension in the area was coming in the local media for some days. But they did not do enough to keep the anti-social elements from executing their plan. Today the police force was deployed in the area. Yet, as soon as the mob reached Muslim area, they attacked the madrasa and put it on fire. They also put on fire some huts of Muslims, which followed stone pelting from the two sides and some people including policemen were injured. Some students of the madrasa were also injured while their belongings were burnt.

To control the situation security forces have been called in from neighboring districts of Muzaffarpur and Motihari. Senior police officers are camping in the area.

The area falls in Barauli Vidhan Sabha constituency which is currently represented by BJP MLA Ram Parvesh Singh, who is also state tourism minister. People say what happened today was well planned and executed keeping in view the coming Lok Sabha elections.