Political analysts remark that even a chameleon would feel ashamed witnessing the opportunistic politics of Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan, who change their stance every day. These leaders, who deliver hours-long speeches on platforms promising to work for minority welfare, are now facing criticism for supporting the central government’s Waqf Amendment Bill. On the other hand, by opposing the bill, YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has once again proven his unwavering commitment to the welfare of minorities.
TDP’s Consistent Opposition to Muslim Interests
From the beginning, various sections have made it clear that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has acted against the sentiments of Muslim minorities. They point out that this has been proven multiple times. These groups opine that, out of resentment that Muslims did not vote for TDP, the party did not even provide them minimal representation in the cabinet for four years. Moreover, it is well-known that the Chandrababu government filed sedition cases against Muslim youths and harassed them.
TDP’s much-touted amendments: A Closer Look
Here are the amendments TDP claims to have championed:
- Retroactive Laws and asset re-verification
Generally, new laws come into effect from the date they are passed and approved, not retroactively. In such a case, Muslim elders question the value of TDP’s proposed amendment, which states there is no scope for re-verifying assets, arguing it holds no real significance.
- Authority Over Waqf Assets
Under the second amendment, TDP proposed that the district collector should not have the final authority in determining Waqf assets, and instead, the state government should appoint a higher-ranking authority. However, regardless of who the official is, they act according to the policies of the respective government. So, whether it’s a collector or the government’s principal secretary, isn’t it the same? All officials follow government directives, so isn’t this amendment essentially toothless?
- Extension for Digital Documentation
With the third amendment, TDP proposed extending the deadline for submitting digital documents by over six months. Yet, BJP leaders like Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi have stated that the digitization of Waqf assets is already complete. Does this mean TDP is proposing amendments for a process that has already been finalized?
Silence on the cancellation of the embarkation center
Muslim brothers travel for the holy Hajj pilgrimage from the Vijayawada Embarkation Center. This center, which was highly convenient for those traveling from Gannavaram, has been canceled, forcing Muslims to travel to Hyderabad to board flights to Mecca. This has resulted in an additional burden of up to Rs. 1 lakh per pilgrim. However, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who support the central government, have failed to exert pressure to reinstate the embarkation center, drawing criticism from the Muslim community.
Who Does BJP Support, Pawan?
In the past, Pawan Kalyan falsely tweeted that YSRCP was attacking Muslim brothers with the BJP’s backing. So, who does the BJP stand with today? Isn’t it TDP and Janasena? Isn’t it true that TDP and Janasena are supporting the BJP now?
YSR’s legacy of reservations for Muslims
YS Rajasekhara Reddy, a true friend of minorities, brought light into their lives by providing 4% reservations, ensuring them a respectable place in society. Witnessing the backwardness of Muslims, this great leader introduced reservations for them. He included them in the BC-E list and issued orders in 2004-05 to provide 5% reservations in education, employment, and jobs. Despite opposition, he fearlessly brought an ordinance and issued GO No. 23, BCW(C2), on July 7, 2007. When some challenged this in the High Court through a PIL, the court temporarily stayed the ordinance.
The YSR government then approached the Supreme Court, which gave the green signal for implementing reservations but directed that total reservations should not exceed 50% as per constitutional guidelines. Consequently, YSR reduced the 5% reservation for Muslims to 4% and implemented it. Seeing the struggles of Muslims firsthand, he took this historic decision for their permanent progress, applying the 4% reservation to 15 Muslim sub-groups. Additionally, by providing fee reimbursement, he enabled countless poor Muslim students to pursue higher education like medicine and engineering. YSR also demonstrated his affection for Muslims by ensuring their representation in the cabinet and supporting them in every way through government initiatives.
YS Jagan’s Tenure: A Golden Era for Muslim Welfare
During YS Jagan’s tenure, Anjad Basha from the Muslim community was given a place in the cabinet. Urdu was recognized as the second official language. Imams were provided an honorarium of Rs. 10,000, and muezzins Rs. 5,000, benefiting 7,000 individuals. The YSRCP government spent over Rs. 24,000 crore on minority welfare. Through various schemes, YS Jagan directly transferred Rs. 13,613 crore into the accounts of Muslims with the press of a button. An additional Rs. 10,800 crore was provided through non-DBT schemes like housing plots, educational kits, and nutrition programs. The Shaadi Tohfa scheme was implemented with a Class 10 requirement to encourage Muslim students to pursue education.
The Andhra Pradesh Minority Component Act (Sub-Plan) was introduced. Previously, Hajj pilgrims had to travel from Hyderabad, but YS Jagan established an embarkation center at Vijayawada’s Gannavaram Airport, providing Rs. 80,000 per pilgrim for additional flight costs. The YSRCP government spent Rs. 14 crore to offer subsidies to Hajj pilgrims, a feat credited solely to them.
