MIM will not support Telangana agitation

The MIM on Sunday dismissed reports that the party was supporting the ongoing Sakala Janula Samme agitation for a separate Telangana state. It said that its stand on Telangana remained unchanged. Addressing a press conference here, the MIM president and Hyderabad MP, Mr Asaduddin Owaisi, said the Telangana agitation was causing inconvenience to people. “The longer theagitation, the more the people are suffering,” he said. Expressing fears that the Telangana movement could take a violent turn, Mr Owaisi urged the Centre to clear the uncertainty by taking a decision quickly.“The Centre should spell out what is its thinking on the issue. Dividing a state is not like cutting the cake at a birthday party,” he remarked while advising Telangana leaders to show seriousness and desist from setting deadlines. Mr Owaisi warned that the MIM would not remain silent if the Haj pilgrims were put to inconvenience due to the Telangana agitation. The first Haj flight is scheduled for September 30 and pilgrims for this flight would report at the Haj House onSeptember 27. The transport agitation is likely to put the pilgrims to inconvenience and the MIM has urged the state government to ensure that pilgrims from the districts are not given any trouble.
He said the BJP would be the biggest beneficiary if a separate state was formed. “Mark my words. It is the BJP which is going to benefit in Telangana state. No other party will gain,” he said. “Why should I support it out of fear,” the MP shot back when asked about apprehensions that Muslimsmight be alienated in the separate state for not participating in the movement. “Nobody can deny me my right. India is a democratic country. There is a constitution and rule of law,” he said.
Meanwhile, commenting on the recommendations of the Sachar Committee Report he said only a few have been implemented and the Ranganath Mishra Commission’s recommendations are also yet to be taken up. He said this while discussing a research study by economist Dr Abu Saleh Shariff titled “Socio Economic Status of AP Muslims after Sachar Committee.” The study will be submitted to the Chief Minister on September 27 at Jubilee Hall