Asad for Dalit Bandhu-like scheme for Muslims

Muslim appeasement never happened, says MIM chief

Hyderabad parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday quoted data on socio-economic conditions of Muslims in Telangana, put forward by academics, to buttress his demand for a roll-out of a Dalit Bandhu-like scheme for at least 1% of Muslims who are living in abject poverty.

Mr Owaisi was speaking at a discussion on Muslims in Telangana – Poverty and Other Challenges, jointly organised by the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen and the Centre for Development Policy and Practice, where experts said that the number of Muslims living in abject poverty is increasing, while the number of those from other communities is decreasing.

The AIMIM president said that it is his opinion that the government should extend ₹10 lakh to 2% Muslims living in abject poverty – 18,000 households – in the State, and in case the financial burden is high, then at least 1% - translating into 9,000 households – be covered. He also suggested that the financial assistance be disbursed in two equal instalments.