The issues raised by Muslims of the various regions in support of their views are described below:
Telangana: The Muslim representations from Telangana, outside of Hyderabad, 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 pc) in the new state is one of the major reasons for their demand for separation. At present, they have 4 pc 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.
Rayalaseema: The Muslim community in Rayalaseema is in favour of a united 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.
Coastal Andhra: The Muslim representations from coastal Andhra reveal a 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.
Hyderabad: Muslims constitute 41 pc of the population making the city’s complexion somewhat different from the surrounding areas. 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 Muslim mohallas were found to be the most disengaged from the Telangana issue. 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 AIMIM. A separate Telangana state could expose them to communally sensitive Hyderabad and Hindu-biased rural population of the region.
–Agencies