AIMIM renews pitch for Dalit-Muslim unity

Hyderabad

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) made a renewed pitch for Dalit-Muslim unity on Saturday night, even as its leaders condemned Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Parliament.

At a protest meeting at Chintal Basti under Nampally constituency, AIMIM leaders and several Dalit leaders criticised Mr. Shah and recollected the invaluable contributions of Dr. Ambedkar.

Addressing the gathering, Nampally legislator Mohammed Majid Hussain sought to affirm that Muslims and marginalised communities would have to stand with each other. “If somebody tries to insult Bhim, if somebody disrespects Bhim, or if they raise a finger at Bhim, then remember, Meem (Muslims) will come onto the ground. Meem will become your voice, and will fight for you, and take adversaries head-on. Bhim ka saathi sirf meem hai, aur meem ka sathi sirf Bhim hai (Only meem will stand by Bhim, and only Bhim will stand with meem),” Mr. Hussain said.

Karwan legislator Kausar Mohiuddin criticised Mr. Shah’s remarks, and described them as trivialising and insulting. He alleged that bigger political parties use Dalit votes but do not raise their voices for them. He sought to affirm that it was the AIMIM, and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi who had consistently raised their voice in the Lok Sabha for the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.

Charminar legislator Mir Zulfeqar Ali recollected that several Dalit members of AIMIM went on to become mayors of Hyderabad such as Alampalli Pochaiah, Satyanarayana and Prakash Rao. He encouraged Dalits to collaborate frequently with Muslims.