Where have Rs 4000 Cr of minority welfare funds gone? Owaisi asks KCR government

Hyderabad: Questioning budget spending on minority welfare, All India Majlis -E- Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi put the government on notice for not utilizing minority welfare's Rs 4000 crore funds.

He said that out of Rs 12,800 crore allocated in the past (excluding the latest), the government has ended up spending only Rs 8,800 crore.

Addressing the ‘Yaad-e Fakhre-e-Millat’ rally at Borabanda on Thursday night, the Hyderabad MP said Rs 15000 crore was earmarked for minority welfare after the formation of Telangana. However, only Rs 9000 crore was spent till now). “Government should answer as to why Rs 4,000 crore were not utilized?” he asked.

Urdu language ignored

Referring to advertisements for Telangana’s decennial celebrations, Asad alleged that the state’s second official language was completely ignored.

“I had even asked the party workers in Nizamabad if these ads were presented in Urdu. Unfortunately, no Urdu word was seen even there. During the past 4-years, only Rs 37 crore were spent from allocated Rs 101 crore. Telugu is the first language, but Urdu should be given its place as the second official language of Telangana. Where have those claims of Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb gone?” he asked.

Where are the Muslims?

Questioning BJP’s notion that AIMIM holds the reins of state government, Asad said had it been so, top posts in various departments would have been occupied by Muslims.

“There is only 1 Muslim SP out of 20 SPs across the state. When it comes to Universities, not a single Muslim is heading it. When you break down it caste-wise, six Velamas, four Reddys, two Munnur Kapus, one Yadav, one ST, and one SC are heading each of these institutions. Who is responsible for this?” he asked.

Problems of Dharani T

The Dharani portal is leading to a lot of hardships while updating the status of the property. “There are various issues which are being faced by people. I had highlighted them to the Chief Minister earlier by writing a letter. I shall be writing it once again. I wonder if it reaches (him) this time,” said Asad.

Second attack on BRS

This is the second time Asaduddin Owaisi took on the BRS government. He had recently in an Adilabad rally created a flutter in political circles by asking chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao to not take them for granted. AIMIM and BRS are a friendly party in the state and there is an unofficial alliance between them.

Asaduddin Owaisi in his speech cautioned the party leadership not to take their friendly relationship for granted. He said, "If you want to contest for the member of Parliament seat in Hyderabad. You are welcome. I am ready for the contest."

Attacks BJP on Kolhapur violence

Asaduddin Owaisi attacked the BJP on the issue of violence in Kolhapur, love jihad, and others, alleging that the party sought to spread hatred and defame Muslims.

He referred to the violence in Kolhapur and said "RSS people" hit the streets in the city after "someone carried a photo of Tipu Sultan". Taking a swipe, he said BJP and the Centre should release a list banning names like Tipu, Aurangzeb, and Babur, like the ban on 44 organisations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Quoting a Maharashtra minister as having said that 21 people have been nabbed, he said: "If keeping a photo is a crime, say what section of IPC (it was). Further attacking the BJP, he said the party should state that it will not include the names of Godse in the "prohibited list of names".

"Now, the matter has come to names also," he said.

Is Love Jihad happening in Maharashtra?

Talking about 'love jihad', he said a number of such incidents and other details should be released if 'love jihad' is happening in Maharashtra.

"If love jihad is happening in Maharashtra, give an estimate, a number, that this (incident) happened in Ahmednagar, this is what happened in Kolhapur, Sangli, western Maharashtra, Marathwada. Say that. (But) nothing. Love jihad is happening. Where is it happening," he said.

"BJP government organised 50 meetings in Maharashtra only to spread hatred, to defame Muslims, Islam," he said.

Politics of ‘Aulad’

"BJP government organised 50 meetings in Maharashtra only to spread hatred, to defame Muslims, Islam," he said.

Referring to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reportedly saying "Aurangzeb ki aulad" (children of Aurangzeb), Owaisi asked as to who is "Godse ki aulad".

Why suspension?

The AIMIM president also attacked the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly suspending a bus driver for halting a bus for "three minutes" to enable a Muslim man to perform prayer. "If performing prayer is a crime, then there should not be religious symbols of anyone in total government offices," he said.

The BJP talks about 'sab ka saath, sab ka vikas, sab ka vishwas', but a bus driver is suspended for halting bus for two minutes, he said.

(with inputs from PTI)