E-Paper
My Nation, My Vote: Muslim community needs educational institutions, says Saleem Mulla, president of Waqf Task Force, Pune
Saleem Mulla, 56, president of National Waqf Liberation and Protection Task Force, Pune which is a national-level social organization working for socio-economic empowerment of Muslims by optimum utilisation of Waqf properties. He is also the founder of Rs 100 crore National Skills University for Muslim minorities which is being set up by government of Maharashtra.
Did you vote in the previous election?
Yes I did. It is only through tactical voting that we can bring about a change in the society and in the community.
What issues have mattered to you in the past?
The issue of Waqf property is central to the entire Muslim community in India. Land worth crores of rupees has been encroached upon. Politicians must include Waqf as part of their election manifesto and help the community get back the Waqf properties illegally seized. Muslims want universities, schools, colleges and skill development centres. Empty talks by politicians won’t do. We want real empowerment and the government must take proper steps in this regard.
What issues matter to you today?
Socio-economic development of Muslim community is the need of the hour and the new government at the centre must work towards achieving this goal. We feel that the previous government has deliberately pushed the Muslim community backward in the socio-economic category and so their progress is stalled. Politicians should not have an agenda of using Muslims just as vote bank without giving them any share in power.