Part I highlighting the issue of AMU Kishanganj
Disclaimer: The opinion expressed by author is a critical political analysis of Maulana Qasmi as MP of Kishanganj. Nowhere it should be considered as a personal attack on personality of hon'ble MP of Kishanganj. Maulana Qasmi is a respected "Aalim" and "an accomplished Educationist" for author.
About four years back May 13, 2009 was referred with various terms like “a Red Letter Day”, “a Historic Day”, “the Independence Day”, “the end of Saza-e-Kalapani”, etc. for the district of Kishanganj. The day was celebrated across the district and many other parts of country and abroad as people’s own leader Maulana Asrarul Haque Qasmi won the parliamentary election for the first time with ticket of Congress party. At the same time, the Congress which emerged as biggest political party with 202 seats across the country badly failed in Bihar. However, despite such dismal and somehow shameful results in Bihar, the Congress succeeded in wining the faith of voters from Kishanganj. In fact, Maulana Qasmi factor helped Congress to open the account in Bihar unless it could have gone without any seat in the state.
As soon the confirmation about Maulana’s win came from the counting centre the entire district engulfed into the celebration mood. Crackers, sweets and worthy slogans made the day memorable and historic as well for the district of Kishanganj. All were hopeful that Kishanganj will see a big change during UPA II government as the person who is representing them in Parliament is their own and understands their concerns very well. On the other side, since Maulana is lone MP in addition to Loksabha Speaker Meera Kumar, hence the hopes increased many folds as well. The pathetic performance of Congress in the state was also seen as a good reason for Congress to bless Kishanganj with many developmental projects.
Maulana Qasmi was greeted by common people, various social, business and political groups on various platforms. In national capital Delhi too, Maulana was given a grand welcome by the people of Kishanganj at different places including the campus of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI). The organizers of the reception function after having discussion with the gathering submitted a memorandum to Maulana Qasmi with a number of points focused towards welfare of common people and development of Kishanganj. Maulana had appreciated the points mentioned in the memorandum and ensured to work on the raised issues in the coming time. The gathering at the venue was highly optimistic as someone who can really care for them had made promises.
He picked the issue of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Kishanganj centre as his favourite agenda and topic of speech. He never restrained himself from giving larger than reality statements or taking credit for any development related to AMU K. However, few times his statements became part of the controversy as they proved false in due course of time. Maulana Qasmi denied the statement of Bihar Education Minister P K Shahi about Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, in which he had said that AMU Kishanganj matter is subjudiced at Allahabad High Court hence nothing can be done from Centre. When a delegation of Kishanganj people working for the cause of AMU Kishanganj met with Kapil Sibal he had repeated the same statement.
Further he had made the statement in March 2012 that Kapil Sibal is visiting Kishanganj for inauguration of AMU centre after the end of budget session. The inauguration ceremony from Kapil Sibal or any other top leader of Congress (UPA) not happened till date. In July 2012, again he had given the statement that “President of India” Ms. Pratibha Patil has given approval to AMU Kishanganj centre. This statement too turned out false as the matter was subjudiced before the Supreme Court and the issue was sent to Law Ministry for seeking opinion in the issue. This issue came into notice only when an RTI was filed with MHRD, and the law minister Salman Khursheed had given a “go ahead” opinion for AMU Kishanganj in late August 2012 under immense pressure from the issue brought into media by a Delhi based non-government registered society Human Chain.
AMU Centre Kishanganj got President of India’s approval in late October 2012 and it raised the hopes of education lovers and people from various sects to see the campus in the district soon. Since then till the commencement of budget session Maulana Qasmi had clearly mentioned that AMU Kishanganj is getting token grant of Rs. 50 crore in his public speeches across the district. However, dreams shattered for all on February 28, 2013 as the fund for AMU Kishanganj was not declared by Finance Minister P Chidambaram. As soon the budget speech of Finance Minister ended the frustration of thousands and lakhs of people waiting for AMU Kishanganj bursted out in different forms, some shouted slogans against MP and his party / government, some shouted slogans against Finance Minister, the effigy of PM Manmohan Singh was burnt in Kishanganj. The online friendly people expressed frustration through Facebook and mail chains.
The reports slamming Kishanganj MP and Congress were also published in news websites and leading English newspaper The Times of India, and many Hindi and Urdu newspapers. In order to avoid the criticism and wrath of common people, Maulana himself conducted a press-conference and ensured that the token grant would be released for AMU Kishanganj within one week. In addition to this he had also said that “Gharib Nawaz Express” would run from Kishanganj only and it wouldn’t be extended to New Jalpaiguri.
As a common citizen of Kishanganj I have full respect for Maulana Qasmi and his persona as an “Aalim”. However, as a critic I find many faults in his persona as a politician. I am not sure, whether he has given the statements related to AMU Kishanganj time-and-again with his own thinking or the party had guided him to do so for keeping the issue alive and . If you particularly see the AMU Kishanganj, it is crystal clear that Maulana Qasmi had always looked enthusiastic for taking credit. Be it the “National Conference for AMU Kishanganj” held at India Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi organized by an activist group on September 30, 2011 or the grand-dharna on October 12, 2011 called under the banner of Kishanganj Education Movement for AMU Kishanganj against government of Bihar, Maulana Qasmi always tried to portray his larger-than life image and also looked interested for credit seeking.
Fact is that, be it the national conference or grand-dharna it was a combined effort. In the grand dharna politicians from different political parties and activists from various had chosen Maulana Qasmi as the leader (in Urdu “Sarparast’), the credit of success of dharna goes to common people who gathered their in the number more than 3 lakh. Nowhere, Congress or UPA deserves plaudits for the historic dharna at Kishanganj.
I don’t raise question over the concern of Maulana Qasmi towards the issues of common people, but his statements related to AMU and defensive approach towards the party created doubts in mind. Congress has certainly tried to misguide and somehow keep the people of Kishanganj at aloof through its elected representative Maulana Qasmi. If the Congress is playing with the sentiments of common people, Maulana is equally responsible as he has reached to parliament with vote and support of his own people.
Part II will carry the performance of Maulana Qasmi as an MP highlighting other issues.
