‘We want justice for all’: Salman Khurshid on Congress’ ‘minority declaration’ in Telangana

‘We want justice for all’: Salman Khurshid on Congress’ ‘minority declaration’ in Telangana

Salman Khurshid, a senior leader in the Congress party and former Union minister, has expressed the need for a ‘minority declaration’ in poll-bound Telangana, aligning with the party’s ongoing outreach to the Muslim community.

In his statement, Khurshid emphasized the broader concept of justice for all, transcending distinctions between minority and majority groups. He highlighted the significance of ensuring that minority communities are not excluded when discussing or pledging justice for all. This stance reflects a commitment to inclusive governance, acknowledging specific challenges or concerns faced by minority groups that may require targeted attention.

The timing of this statement, amid upcoming elections in Telangana, suggests a strategic move by the Congress to position itself as a party advocating for inclusivity and justice for all, particularly addressing the interests of minority communities in the region.

The Congress party has made a ‘minority declaration’ for Telangana, articulating its dedication to advancing the “financial upliftment and empowerment” of minorities in the state. In this declaration, the Congress has committed to conducting a caste census within the first six months of assuming power.

The party also pledged to increase the budget allocated for the welfare of minorities to Rs 4,000 crore and assured the implementation of a dedicated ‘sub-plan’ specifically tailored for the welfare of the Muslim community. This declaration signifies the party’s comprehensive approach to minority issues, encompassing both financial empowerment and specific policy initiatives to address the needs of different minority groups in Telangana.

In its manifesto for the upcoming Telangana Assembly polls scheduled for November 30, the Congress party has outlined several initiatives for the welfare of minorities. The manifesto pledges an annual allocation of Rs 1,000 crore to offer subsidized loans for unemployed minority youth and women.

Additionally, the Congress promises the establishment of a ‘Telangana Sikh Minority Finance Corporation,’ with a commitment to providing an annual corpus of Rs 5 lakh to Muslim, Christian, and Sikh youth upon the completion of MPhil and PhD studies. This financial support is framed within the ‘Abdul Kalam Taufa-e-Taleem’ scheme. The manifesto reflects the party’s specific policy proposals to address the economic challenges and educational aspirations of minority communities in Telangana.

The Congress party, as part of its manifesto for the Telangana Assembly polls, has proposed various benefits for minorities across different categories. These include a commitment to education and employment equity, protection of religious rights and culture, infrastructure and welfare measures, and promotion of inclusivity and growth.

The party’s ‘minority declaration,’ unveiled by Salman Khurshid in Hyderabad, is aligned with these proposals, emphasizing the Congress’s dedication to the financial upliftment and empowerment of minorities in the state.

In contrast, the BJP in Telangana has expressed a different stance, vowing to roll back reservations for Muslims and instead extend the benefit of quotas to members of the backward classes if the party is elected. This sets up a clear policy distinction between the two major parties in the state regarding affirmative action and minority representation. The contrasting approaches of the Congress and BJP on these issues are likely to be significant points of discussion and debate in the lead-up to the elections.

The BJP in Telangana, represented by state president G Krishan Reddy, has announced a distinctive electoral promise related to reservations. Reddy stated that if the BJP is elected, the party will reverse the 4% reservation based on religion and, instead, extend the benefit to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). Additionally, Muslims, Christians, and other social groups will be included within the ambit of Economically Backward Classes (EBC) reservation. This stance marks a policy divergence from the existing religious-based reservation and emphasizes the BJP’s focus on alternative criteria for affirmative action.

The electoral landscape in Telangana is gearing up for a triangular contest among the BJP, the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (TRS), and the Congress. The BJP’s commitment to reshaping the reservation policy is likely to be a significant point of discussion in the lead-up to the assembly elections, influencing voter perceptions on issues related to social justice and representation. The counting of votes is scheduled for December 3, and the outcome will determine the composition of the Telangana Assembly.