The Telangana Muslim Forum (TMF), in a representation to the Group of Ministers, sought Urdu as official language of Telangana state, besides Telugu, to ensure its implementation in official transactions and recruitment in public employment.
The TMF wanted restoration of all the grabbed Wakf properties and 20 percent reservation to Muslims in elections.
TMF convenor Syed Rafi also sought state-sponsored empowerment programmes to enhance knowledge and skills of Muslim youths to compete for jobs in public and private sectors. He wanted proper implementation of the Prime Minister’s 15-point programme for Muslims. All the above issues should be included in the GoM report to be submitted to the Central government, he added.
The TMF said Muslims in Telangana have received a raw deal in Andhra Pradesh state. The community lost its representation in the political sphere and consequently in legislative forums, save Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), largely owing to the influx of the entrepreneurial class from Seemandhra, who made politics yet another economic pursuit. Due to this, the Muslim voice did not reach the policy makers.