At least 200 members of the minority community from across the state on Tuesday met chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to vent their anger at the Democratic Front government for wanton targeting of Muslims under charges of rioting and terrorism.
They also levelled a serious allegation against the Congress’s coalition partner, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), of “blackmailing” Muslims to joining it (NCP) or face the spectre of police harassment. Senior NCP leader RR Patil is the state’s deputy chief minister and in charge of home ministry.
More than 200 Muslims — belonging to the Congress including ministers — alleged that the community was getting a raw deal from the law-enforcing forces and the government, led by the Congress, was encouraging it. The delegation to Deshmukh was led by state Congress president Manickrao Thakre.
They complained against home minister Patil for allowing NCP workers a free run in coercing Muslims to either join their party or face serious charges like attempt to murder under section 307.
The entire sixth floor — which houses both chief minister’s and Patil’s chambers — was teeming with agitated leaders, loudly airing their grievances before Deshmukh. “How can you explain slapping of section 307 against 600 Muslims in Dhule for communal riots?” “Why is the government lenient towards Hindus indulging in riots?” “How can the Congress government be a silent spectator allowing the NCP to run administration at its whims and fancy?” Deshmukh’s attempt to pacify them failed, as leaders argued, “There appears to be no political will to reassure the minorities who are feeling alienated.”
Among the ministers in the delegation were Baba Siddique and Anees Ahmed. The delegation was comprised of members of the minority community from Dhule, Malegaon and Mumbai.
Deshmukh repeatedly tried to calm the leaders saying he would take corrective and reassuring measures. He also promised a thorough inquiry into Dhule riots and book the culprits, and free those who have been “wrongly booked” by the local administration.
Muslims constitute 14% of the electorate and have largely remained loyal to the Congress. Not surprisingly, the Congress feels it cannot allow the traditional voters to drift away from them because of what could be construted as home ministry’s “failure”.
Last month more than 100 corporators had resigned across state to protest against harassment against minorities in state.
