By Nehal Saghir, Muslim Mirror,
Mumbai, May 29: Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chauhan on Monday promised a Muslim delegation of job quota marchers that he would table the Mahmoodur Rahman Committee Report in the Assembly within one month, and on the basis of its recommendations, Muslims would be given reservation within the parameters of the law.
The delegation had gone to meet him and submit memorandum demanding reservation for Muslims in government jobs. Abdul Aleem Siddiqui, a key member of the reservation march, said that the CM agreed that the demand of Muslims is justified and the community indeed needs reservation.
Earlier, a minister of the state Balasaheb Thorat had also promised marchers that he would apprised the CM of the demand.
Demanding reservation for Muslims in jobs, the job quota march had started from Malegaon on 17th May and ended at Somia Ground in Mumbai on 27th May. The march was being led by renowned social activist of Malegaon Asif Sheikh Rasheed.
The March was scheduled to conclude at Azad Maidan of Mumbai, but the Mumbai police citing security reasons denied the organizers to take the March to Azad Maidan, they were allowed to finish it at the Somia Ground. It should be noted that last year some Muslim organizations had held protest demonstration at Azad Maidan against the violence on Muslims in Assam and Myanmar, but the demonstration was spoiled by unfortunate violence. The Police administration has used that violence of 11th August 2012 as excuse to deny any Muslim protest at Azad Maidan. When Muslim Mirror talked to Maulana Mustaqeem Ahsan Azmi, president, Jamaiat Ulema Maharashtra and asked if it is not an undemocratic behavior of police, the maulana said the issue was already settled between the organizers and the police. ACP Zone 2 Krishna Prakash had requested the organizers that if marchers were allowed to reach Azad Maidan this will throw the vehicular traffic out of control. He had convinced the leaders of the march that they would conclude the march at Somia Ground.
Eminent personalities of the city welcomed the march at the Somia Ground on 27th May. Addressing the gathering, Abu Asim Azmi, president Samajwadi Party, Maharashtra said all Muslim representatives should support reservation for Muslims. Criticizing the government he said the present government has given reservation to Muslims only in jails. Their percentage in jail population is far greater than their share in the state population. Famous educationist Mubarak Kapdi in his address told the marchers that they should not worry about their number, their voice has reached the power corridors. “You should remember the wounds these governments have inflicted upon you and you should settle the score in the coming election,” he said.
