Views of Muslims

7.10.03 Views of Muslims

The issues raised by Muslims of the various regions in support of their views are

described below:

Telangana:

support a separate Telangana state. They have stressed the need for a separate

Telangana to access educational and employment opportunities since they feel

they have remained backward in a united state. Expectation of an increase in

reservation benefits (to 12%) in the new state is one of the major reasons for

their demand for separation. At present they receive 4% reservation benefits

under the OBC (E) category. In united AP, they have grievances like lack of jobs,

non implementation of Urdu as the second language, lack of Urdu teachers and

funds for Urdu medium schools and absence of scholarships for minorities and

the loss of waqf lands. Many have complained that they are forced to migrate to

Gulf countries and are living in deplorable conditions. They argue that there is no

communal or cultural divide between the Hindus and Muslims in Telangana and

they can live in harmony in a separate state. According to them, Telangana will

not be unsafe for minorities. During field visits, however, a more nuanced

viewpoint came out with people being unsure of the benefits of a separate state

and articulating some apprehensions about their security in a separate

Telangana.

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The Muslim representations from Telangana, outside of Hyderabad,

Rayalaseema:

state. They believe that they should live together and share the resources of the

state equitably. Creation of a separate state would put them at a disadvantage in

utilization of river waters and other benefits. Some have represented that if a

division of the state is inevitable, then Rayalaseema should be carved out as a

separate state.

The Muslim community in Rayalaseema is in favour of a united

Coastal Andhra:

preference for united AP as according to them many Muslims are working in

Hyderabad. They have developed an economic as well as an emotional

attachment with Hyderabad. They argue that Telangana region is not backward

as it has more infrastructure, industries and jobs. The creation of a separate

state would deny them the benefits that exist in Telangana, particularly in

Hyderabad. One Muslim forum however sided with the demand for a separate

Andhra.

The Muslim representations from coastal Andhra reveal a

Hyderabad:

Muslims constitute 41% of the population of the city of Hyderabad

making the city‟s complexion somewhat different from the

discussed in the chapter on Hyderabad, most Muslims of the city identify with the

AIMIM as their political representative. They identify primarily with the city and

not necessarily with the region of Telangana. Most of them reside in the old city

and do not speak Telugu. Residents of Muslims mohallas were found to be the

most disengaged from the Telangana issue. However, the concentration of

Muslims in Hyderabad and their homogenous distribution in Rayalaseema districts

can explain their preferences which are mainly articulated by political groups and

in Hyderabad city by the party. AIMIM prefers United Andhra to Telangana state;

in case of an inevitable separation, a Rayala-Telangana state is preferred with

Hyderabad as the capital. In a Telangana state, the Muslim population would

account for about 12.5 percent, but when Hyderabad is excluded, this goes down

to 8.4 percent. In a Rayala-Telangana state, Muslims would remain with similar

strength at about 12.5%, whereas in United Andhra, Muslims are just above 9%.

Pragmatic political expediencies could be the reasons for these preferences of

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AIMIM. A separate Telangana state could expose them to communally sensitive

Hyderabad and Hindu-biased rural population of the region.

surrounding areas. As28

Analysis

the AIMIM, prefers a united Andhra. Muslims would feel more secure in the

larger state and being largely a business/small trader/artisan community with

urban concentration, Muslims of Hyderabad look towards a larger market as

being more beneficial to them. Their next option is a Telangana state with

Hyderabad as the capital or a Greater Telangana (or Rayala-Telangana) which

would include Telangana and Rayalaseema; in both options their population

share would increase. Hence the prospects of both greater political

representation and educational and job reservations would improve. They are

keen to retain the 4% reservation share recently granted to them and expect the

proportion to go up in a bifurcated state. Outside of Hyderabad, Muslims in

Telangana have strategically joined others to demand separate statehood, while

those in coastal Andhra and Rayalseema would prefer the state to remain united–For various reasons, the main political party of Hyderabadi Muslims,