Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, May 23: Former state education minister B A Moidin alleged, that the Muslims, who are placed second in the country as far as population is concerned, have not been given enough representation in power sharing positions.
Addressing a seminar on 'Problems of Muslim community and solutions' organized on Friday May 22 at Shanti Nilaya in the city under the aegis of Dharma Prakashana organization and All India Beary Parishat in the capacity of a guest, he said, the secular parties which appease the Muslim voters for garnering votes, have deprived them as far as distribution of power is concerned. "The Muslims, who form 13.4% of the country's population, should have got at least 73 Lok Sabha seats. But in the current Lok Sabha, not even half of that number from the community has been accommodated. Business mentality of the Muslims is one of the root causes for this state of affairs. If they had rightly exercised their vote-bank, the situation would not have arisen in which the state is not represented by even a single Muslim in the Lok Sabha," he rued.
He called upon the Muslims to unite under the framework of Islam and on the broad framework of human values. "We should strengthen secular organizations that are Muslim-centric. We should provide encouragement to those who have been able to honestly work in the public life. If the leadership of the community goes to the corrupt and dishonest people, we may have to forgo the right to fight for our rights," he warned.
Echoing similar views, Popular Front of India national secretary K M Shariff said, the Muslims are being exploited as vote-banks in the country. He felt the Muslim community has remained backward because of this trend and asked the Muslims to learn a lesson from the dalits, who had also remained backward in the past, but have since wrested enough clout to influence the decisions of the parliament.
On the occasion, a work titled 'Swargada Haadi,' authored by Kudroli Rafiuddin was released.
Journalist Abdussalam Puttige presided. All India Beary Parishat president B A Mohammed Hanif delivered introductory address. Khamaruddin presented the programme. Abdul Aziz proposed vote of thanks.