Congress Senior Leader Shabbir Ali Unveils Comprehensive Minorities Declaration Draft for Telangana Empowerment
Hyderabad, Oct 20 – Mohammed Ali Shabbir, the Chairman of the TPCC Minorities Declaration Draft Committee and senior leader of Congress, highlighted the party’s commitment to minority empowerment in Telangana during a press conference in Hyderabad.
The Committee, comprising TPCC Vice President Zafar Javeen, AICC Secretary Mansoor Ali Khan, and other leaders, conducted a meeting where over 150 suggestions were received through online and offline channels. These suggestions encompassed the inputs of 15 prominent Muslim organizations and representatives from diverse minority communities.
Shabbir Ali conveyed some key recommendations put forth by the Committee, such as an increase in the minorities’ welfare budget to Rs. 5,000 crore, the establishment of a Minorities Sub-Plan analogous to SC, ST Sub-Plans, augmentation of the budget for marriage schemes, and the enactment of a separate law to counter discrimination on religious grounds.
He underscored the positive impact of the 4% Muslim reservation implemented by the previous Congress Government, benefiting numerous underprivileged Muslim families in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over the last 17-18 years. Shabbir Ali expressed concern over the discontinuation of several welfare initiatives for minorities by the current BRS Government, including the closure of 50 out of 56 minority engineering and professional colleges sanctioned by the previous Congress regime.
Accusing the BRS Government of attempting to reduce the existing 4% Muslim reservation to 3%, Shabbir Ali emphasized the Congress’s commitment to considering valuable suggestions, including the permission for new medical, engineering, and professional colleges, as well as the establishment of a private minority university.
Zafar Javeed, TPCC Senior Vice President, outlined the Committee’s extensive consultations with leaders from prominent organizations, ensuring a wide-ranging representation of ideas. AICC Secretary Mansoor Ali Khan expressed confidence in the Congress party’s return to power and asserted minority support in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Justice Ibrahim Siddiqui, representing the Ahle Hadees sect, declared his support for the Congress party in the upcoming Assembly elections. The Committee, after five previous meetings, aims to compile and present a concise Minorities Declaration to TPCC President A. Revanth Reddy, with a potential release by AICC Leader Rahul Gandhi in the coming days.
