Minority welfare promises remain on paper as Congress faces backlash in Jubilee Hills bypoll

Despite promises to improve minority welfare, the Congress government in Telangana faces backlash for failing to meet key commitments. As the Jubilee Hills bypoll approaches, the community feels betrayed, with unresolved issues like housing demolitions and unfulfilled reservation pledges

Hyderabad: Nearly two years after coming to power, the Congress government is yet to fulfil most of the assurances made to Muslims and other communities under its Minorities Declaration. The Muslim community, in particular, feels betrayed, even as the ruling party seeks its support in the Jubilee Hills bypoll.

The Congress had promised to conduct a caste census within six months of assuming office and ensure fair reservation for minorities in government jobs, educational institutions, and welfare schemes. Although the state government carried out the caste census, the promised reservation benefits are now caught in legal hurdles. Much like the Backward Classes, minorities too feel let down by the Congress.

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Among the major commitments made was an increase in the minorities’ welfare budget to Rs.4,000 crore, along with a dedicated sub-plan to ensure proper allocation and utilisation. The government had also pledged Rs.1,000 crore annually to provide subsidised loans for unemployed minority youth and women.

The declaration further included the Abdul Kalam Taufa-e-Taleem scheme to offer Rs.5 lakh financial assistance to Muslim, Sikh, and other minority youth completing M.Phil and Ph.D. degrees. It also promised Rs.1 lakh for graduates, Rs.25,000 upon intermediate completion, Rs.15,000 for students completing intermediate, and Rs.10,000 for those passing the tenth standard.

Additionally, the Congress had assured a monthly honorarium of Rs.10,000 to Rs.12,000 for Imams, Muezzins, Khadims, Pastors, and Granthis.

However, instead of implementing these promises, the Congress government drew criticism for demolishing houses belonging to minorities at Chaderghat, Moosa Nagar, Shankarnagar, and other areas last October as part of the River Musi rejuvenation project. Red markings were also seen on several houses in Rasoolpura and nearby localities.

Amid growing discontent, the Congress reportedly attempted damage control during the Jubilee Hills bypoll campaign through appeasement efforts.

The government had proposed allocation of 7,500 square yards for a Muslim burial ground at Erragadda, but the plan was shelved after objections from residents of nearby gated communities. Similarly, 2,500 square yards earmarked at Shaikpet led to a dispute after army personnel claimed ownership of the land.

The sense of alienation among Muslims deepened further as no member from the community was inducted into the state cabinet, a first for a Congress government in Telangana.

Adding to the unease, former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin was asked to withdraw from contesting the Jubilee Hills bypoll just days before the notification, with the assurance of an MLC nomination under the Governor’s quota. However, community intellectuals expressed doubt over the feasibility of his nomination, as Azharuddin had already contested the Parliament elections on a Congress ticket.