Govt vows to fulfill demands of Muslim community: Assurance from Ministers, CM's Political Secretary
Honouring ceremony held by DK District Waqf Advisory Committee, DK Honouring Committee
Mangaluru: Government officials and politicians, including State Housing, Minority Welfare, and Waqf Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, State Municipal Administration, Hajj Minister Rahim Khan, and Chief Minister's Political Secretary Naseer Ahmed, have pledged their commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the Muslim community and fulfilling their various demands. This assurance was made during an honorific event organized by the D.K. District Honouring Committee and D.K. District Waqf Advisory Committee at Town Hall.
Speakers at the event expressed their concern about the difficulties and oppression suffered by the Muslim minority community over the past few years under the BJP rule and emphasized the importance of a peaceful and secular government in power. They highlighted the need to correct injustices and inequalities faced by the community, particularly in areas such as scholarships and awareness schemes.
Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan stated, "The previous BJP government committed numerous injustices regarding scholarships and awareness schemes for Muslims. Our government is dedicated to rectifying these injustices. The Congress party has always upheld the principles of fairness and equality among all communities, and we will continue to do so."
Minister Rahim Khan revealed that the government has allocated 10 crore rupees for the construction of a Haj Bhavan in Mangaluru, and the foundation stone for this project will be laid soon. He asserted that public servants, regardless of their positions, are committed to serving the common people and empowering the community.
Naseer Ahmed, the Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, stressed the significant contributions of the Muslim community to the state and highlighted the importance of improving communication within the community. He mentioned that various schemes, including a 1 crore rupee loan scheme, which was previously reserved for SC/ST communities, have been extended to backward and minority communities. Naseer Ahmed encouraged the proper utilization of these schemes, including government guarantees, by the Muslim community.
The leaders pledged to work towards achieving social and economic empowerment for the Muslim community in Karnataka and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
Continuing the spirit of unity and community development, State Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Qadir Fareed expressed his gratitude for the support and blessings he received from the people. He emphasized the government's commitment to addressing the community's demands and called for collective efforts to foster development and harmony in the DK district.
Udupi Samyukta Qazi Al-Haj M Abdul Hameed Musliyar Mani, who inaugurated the program, reminded everyone that positions of power are not permanent and stressed the importance of showing compassion to all, regardless of caste or faith. He encouraged those in power, including the minister, to work towards the welfare of both the community and society.
President of the felicitation committee, Dr. Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, presided over the program and acknowledged the significant contributions of the honourees. He hoped that the event would inspire them to continue serving the people in the future.
D.K. Qazi Alhaj Al-haj Twaka Ahmed Musliyar offered prayers during the event. Distinguished guests included D.K. President of Udupi District Muslim Central Committee Haji K.S. Muhammad Masood, KPCC General Secretary Inayat Ali, former State Waqf Board Chairman Maulana NKM Shafi Saadi, and former Legislative Council Member Ivan D'Souza.
The Honouring Committee's Convener, S.M. Rasheed Haji, extended a warm welcome, while District Waqf Advisory Committee Chairman B.A. Abdul Nasir Lucky Star provided introductory remarks. Shanti Prakashan Manager Muhammad Kunhi delivered a felicitation speech, and young scholar Dr. Abdur Rashid Zaini Kamil read the felicitation letter. Mumtaz Ali, a member of the Honouring committee, expressed gratitude in the vote of thanks. Motivational Speaker Rafiq Master comperred the program.
During the event, several significant demands were put forward by the community members. These demands include:
- Scholarships for All: The request for scholarship facilities for all students belonging to the Muslim community in the district, along with an additional grant allocation for this purpose.
- Financial Support for Self-Employment: The call for the announcement of special financial assistance programs aimed at promoting self-employment opportunities among the community.
- Education Accessibility: Advocating for more accessible rules and regulations, particularly for students pursuing higher education and those studying abroad.
- Recall of Transferred Officials: The appeal to recall Muslim officials who held important positions in the district and were deliberately transferred during the previous government's tenure.
- Honorarium for Madrasa Teachers: The proposal to establish a system for providing honorariums to madrasa teachers.
- Simplified Grant Rules: Simplification of grant regulations, specifically for Muslim women patients through the Waqf Board.
- Haj Bhavan Construction: Urging the prompt laying of the foundation stone for the construction of Haj Bhavan.
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18-year-old graphic designer arrested for theft; says he lost job due to AI
Indore (PTI): An 18-year-old graphic designer, who claimed to have lost his job due to AI, was arrested with his NEET-aspirant woman friend on Thursday for allegedly stealing jewelry worth Rs 16 lakh.
The teen duo told police that they were inspired by the 2005 film Bunti Aur Babli, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shrikrishna Lalchandani.
They allegedly stole gold, silver, and diamond jewelry worth Rs 16.17 lakh from a shop in Rau police station area in the city on the night of December 22, the official told reporters.
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The entire booty was recovered from their possession after the arrest in Bhopal where they had fled.
Without disclosing the identities of the accused, DCP Lalchandani said, "Both are 18 years old. The young man is a graphic designer, while the woman is preparing for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). The two have known each other since childhood.
"During interrogation, the young man told us that he used to work part-time as a graphic designer at an IT company, but lost his job due to the company's adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and he was finding it difficult to make ends meet," the official added.
The accused, who come from economically weak background, claimed to have planned the theft after watching "Bunty Aur Babli," he said.
"The accused say they tried to sell the stolen jewelry, but the buyers, thinking they were children, wouldn't pay the right price. So they had decided to sell it after Christmas holidays," the DCP said.
