HYDERABAD: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra received enthusiastic response when it started at Rudraram on Thursday. Apart from being welcomed with traditional pulli and dappu dances, two persons who took the limelight were 89-year-old Admiral L. Ramdas (retd) and his wife, who participated in the yatra.
After lunch at Hanumannagar in Sangareddy, the yatra proceeded with many guest walkers joining in. “Even if it was a one-mile walk we would participate and tell the future generations that we were there at the historic event.” said a participant.
At Hanumannagar, Rahul Gandhi interacted with a delegation of Muslim intellectuals, including senior advocates, educationists, retired bureaucrats, leaders of community organisations, social activists, writers, employee representatives and professionals from different fields. They expressed their faith in the young leader.
Many members of the delegation, speaking with Deccan Chronicle, explained the issues they had discussed with Rahul Gandhi.
Farhana Khan, an educationalist, said, “His words and assurances were genuine. We never had any political help and the governments let us down during the pandemic. We have given representations on many issues, including about security for Wakf properties, which are being looted by leaders and politicians.”
Saba Quadri, a social worker, said, “Muslims have been under attack always. On whether Congress would protect Muslims if it comes to power, he said that Congress has always been a secular party and I will stand by its ideology.”
Issues of infrastructure also came up. Dr Mohammad Iqbal Jaweed, Old City resident, “I discussed the civic issues which are pending in the Old City like Metro Rail project, a track from MGBS to Falaknuma, conversation of the heritage building of Osmania General Hospital.”
Former special chief secretary Shafiquzzaman spoke about discrimination and atrocities that the community as allegedly facing from the police. He also pointed out the need for better quality of state level leadership within the Congress from the Muslim community.
Senior High Court advocate Qudsia Tabassum spoke about the misuse of UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) against Muslims, pointing out the sections that are being used to violate basic fundamental rights. She demanded an end to the harassment using UAPA.
Dr Md. Sajid Ali, general secretary of Association of Minority Education Institutions Telangana, spoke about the non-recognition of minority educational institutions by the present state government, violating the promises made by the ruling party in their election manifesto.
