Title: Congress Reaffirms Commitment to Minorities in Telangana Amid Criticism of BRS
Hyderabad: Mohammed Ali Shabbir, advisor to the Telangana government, has reiterated the Congress party’s dedication to the welfare of minorities and marginalized communities in the state. During a media briefing at Gandhi Bhavan, he criticized the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) for its decade-long governance, which he claimed neglected the needs of minorities and misrepresented its policies.
Shabbir emphasized the Congress party’s active efforts to reverse the negative impacts of the previous administration, particularly regarding minority welfare. He highlighted the establishment of Indiramma Committees at both gram panchayat and municipal ward levels, asserting that these initiatives are inclusive of minorities, especially Muslims categorized under BC-E.
Addressing claims of minority exclusion from government programs, Shabbir referenced a household survey initiated under Government Order Ms No. 18, which reportedly includes 85% of Muslims in the BC-E category. He urged the public to be vigilant against what he termed “misleading propaganda” regarding minority participation in these initiatives.
Additionally, Shabbir criticized the BRS for failing to deliver on its promise of providing 12% reservation for Muslims, a key issue during its tenure. Under Congress leadership, he pointed to significant advancements in minority representation, including the appointment of a Muslim Additional Advocate General and members of the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC).
In the education sector, Shabbir outlined the Congress government’s initiatives to enhance opportunities for minorities. This includes the sanctioning of two pharmacy colleges and one minority law college, as well as the addition of 2,200 engineering seats in minority institutions. He noted that 720 out of 10,006 DSC appointments were made to minority candidates.
Furthermore, Shabbir emphasized Congress’s commitment to improving access to quality education for minority students, highlighting that 31 students from the Telangana Minority Residential Educational Institutions Society (TMREIS) have been admitted to MBBS programs. He also mentioned ongoing recruitment drives, including for Group-1 positions, aimed at benefiting minority communities.
Through these initiatives, Shabbir Ali aims to position the Congress party as a champion for minority rights and welfare in Telangana, contrasting its agenda with that of the BRS.
