Congress Govt Committed To Promotion Of Urdu Language: Shabbir Ali

Mahabubnagar, June 23: Senior Congress leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Monday reiterated the Congress government’s firm commitment to promoting the Urdu language and preserving the cultural and educational heritage of the Muslim community. He was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for a five-storey Urdu Ghar-cum-Hajj House complex in Mahabubnagar.

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Speaking at the Urdu Ghar premises, located behind the Haji Ghaffar petrol pump in the heart of the town, Shabbir Ali said that the project was not a Mahabubnagar model but a Telangana model that reflects the inclusive vision of the Congress government. “This Urdu Ghar and Hajj House will be a symbol of culture and community service, blending modern infrastructure with traditional values,” he said.

The event was organised by Mahabubnagar MLA Y Srinivas Reddy and Minority Finance Corporation Chairman Obedullah Kotwal. It was attended by MLC Amer Ali Khan, Waqf Board Chairman Azmatullah Hussaini, Urdu Academy Chairman Tahir Bin Hamdan, TMREIS Vice President Faheem Qureshi, Food Corporation Chairman A Faheem, State Hajj Committee Chairman Ghulam Afzal Byabani (Khusro Pasha), Minority Welfare Secretary B Shafiullah, among others.

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Recalling his long association with minority welfare, Shabbir Ali said, “I became a minister in 1989 and have over 34 years of experience. Three generations have passed, and getting funds sanctioned for minority welfare has never been easy.” He stressed that the community must not forget the contributions of earlier leaders. “We easily forget our predecessors. But our community should remember and acknowledge their work. Originality must be preserved and heritage protected,” he added.

Commenting on the declining status of Urdu, he pointed out that the community itself bears some responsibility. “After SSC, students are opting for Arabic or other languages as their second language in intermediate. Many colleges today don’t have even 10 students choosing Urdu,” he lamented. He cited a case where two students opted for Urdu, but the college refused to offer it, saying no other students were willing to take it. “Osmania University too is seeing a sharp fall in Urdu enrolments. This is the reality,” he said.

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Shabbir Ali also raised concerns over Muslim students not availing educational opportunities. “In TMREIS schools, 65% of seats are reserved for Muslims, yet many seats are lying vacant. While we participate in qawwalis and mushairas, our educational institutions are empty,” he remarked. He urged the community to shift its focus towards education, reminding that the first revelation in the Quran is ‘Iqra’ (read), highlighting the significance of knowledge in Islam.

Highlighting Congress’ efforts toward backward class empowerment, Shabbir Ali recalled the implementation of 5% Muslim reservation during the YS Rajasekhara Reddy government in 2004, which was later modified to 4% to comply with the Supreme Court’s ceiling. “Hundreds of backward Muslims became Sarpanches, ZPTC chairpersons, corporators, and councillors due to this reservation,” he said.

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He strongly defended the 4% Muslim reservation, stating that the recent caste survey conducted by the Congress government in Telangana has provided solid legal and statistical backing. “According to the caste survey, 12.58% of Telangana’s population is Muslim, and 10.08% among them belong to backward classes. This data has strengthened our case in the Supreme Court and silenced critics,” he asserted.

Calling the caste survey a historic step, he said it would enable transparent and inclusive policymaking by reflecting the actual socio-economic conditions of the people. “This survey is a step toward justice and a model for the entire country. It fulfills the Congress promise under Rahul Gandhi’s vision and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s leadership,” he said. He reminded that the 4% Muslim reservation has so far benefited 22 lakh poor Muslims across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

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He also appealed to the community to avoid wasteful social customs like dowry and extravagant weddings. “Poor girls are not getting married because of dowry. We are all responsible. While we talk about international politics, we ignore the poverty in our own neighbourhoods,” he remarked.Shabbir Ali urged the community to focus on education, simplicity in life, and active participation in welfare schemes. “Our strength lies in education, unity, and our ability to uplift one another,” he said. (Maxim News)

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