Muslims sore over minority panel chief: JD(S)

By CT reporter
MANGALORE : The Muslim community in Dakshina Kannada district is sore over the State Minorities Commission chairman Mohammad Masood, who, they say by remaining mum on the increasing atrocities on the minority community in the district ever since the BJP-JD(S) combine government has come to power, has only tried to retain his chair.
Complaints are also heard from Muslims that Masood as chairman of the commission, has failed to do anything concrete for the welfare of the minorities, and instead by convening meetings just to gain media publicity, has only tried to project himself as a saviour of minorities and as a Muslim leader.
It is also being said that he has failed to take any action in case of atrocities on minorities and Christians, the net result of which is that the minority community members were leading life amid fears.
Instead of solving the problems of the minorities, the Commission chairman was only trying to gain undue media publicity for his own selfish gains, Muslims complain.
It may be recalled here that Masood was made the commission chairman during the SM Krishna regime. He continued in the same position even during Dharam tenure. When he was silent then, it was believed that he did so as he could not raise voice against his own party government. Now, with a BJP-JD(S) government in power in the state it is not known as to what was refraining Masood from initiating any action or raising his voice.
Masood who had first made a backdoor entry into the Muslim Central Committee, with an eye on the commission post, later, on attaining the new post, failed to rejuvenate the committee.
Masood’s silence when the prime accused in the case wherein a father and son were stripped in Udupi, was nominated member of the Udupi TMC, raised many a eyebrow.
Masood has also remained tight lipped on the CM’s madrasa statement, Kudroli slaughter house row, Vande Mataram row and the anti-Tipu statement of DH Shankerurthi.
In the meantime, reports say of Masood moving the High Court seeking extension of his tenure. After all what does this signify ?. Is his interest solely in attaining power and not protecting the interests of the minorities ?, many question.
Muslims also
unhappy with JD(S)
Masood is not the onlg one who is facing he ire of the Muslim community of the district. Even chief minster Kumaraswamy falls in the list following his recent controversial remarks on madrasas.
Today Muslims are angry with the JD(S) too.The Muslim members in the Janata Dal(S) are no longer interested in serving the party and are slowly drifting apart.
Though Janata Dal (S) has not gained a significant strength in the district, in places where it has made its presence felt like Ullal, Vittal and Belthangady, several Muslims are in the party and have occupied different posts.
In fact JD(S) was an option for the Muslims whenever they were disgruntled with the Congress. But, now the CM’s statement has proved a major jolt to them and even the explanations and clarificiations seem not to have changed their stance.
In toto, it can be said that the CM’s statement on Madrasas has dealt a severe blow on the party in the district.