Moulana Qari Fazlur Rahman differs on Mamata Banerjee's claim on developments for minority

KOLKATA: Even as chief minister Mamata Banerjee claims that she has made provisions for 97 per cent reservation for minorities in OBC category, Qari Fazlur Rahman, one of the most influential spiritual leaders among minorities, said that nothing much has been done for the minorities in last four years. Adding that only 134 of a total promised 10000 madrasas were regularized, he said that the teachers and the students of those are yet to get any facilities.

Significantly, Banerjee on the same platform on Red Road claimed today that her government has done several developmental works for the minorities including a reservation of 97 per cent for Muslims in OBC category.

Moulana Qari Fazlur Rahman , who leads the Id prayer on Red Road told ET that he has mentioned in his speech about the non-implementation of the promises made to the Muslims in the state. “In last four years, many promises were made to us. The TMC government promised to regularize 10000 madrasas. Till date, only 134 madrasas were regularized.However, students of those centres are yet to get books and other facilities. The teachers do not get salaries,” he said.

Mentioning the reservation for Muslims in OBC category, he said, “We asked about the reservation and we are told that work is on. But there should be a limit for a work going on. It cannot go on for ever. My advice to chief minister is to fulfill all these promises as soon as possible.” He further added, “There should not be much difference between what you say and what you do. There should be a balance. We were told that Urdu would be established as the second official language here, but we do not find any official work being done in Urdu.”

Commenting on Modi government, he said, “We have been waiting for Achhe Din. It is yet to come. We believe that no religion should be imposed on people. And as far as Surya Pranam and Yoga are concerned, it should be left on the people to choose. The efforts to impose anything on people might destroy the communal harmony in the country.”