Hyderabad: January 7, Posted on 2:28 PM IST
AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi said that the vision of “Telangana Rising” cannot be achieved without ensuring equal development opportunities for all weaker communities, particularly Muslims.
Participating in a short discussion related to industrial land acquisition and transformation and the Telangana Rising, Owaisi delivered a speech lasting over an hour, emphasizing that no state or nation can progress by ignoring any single community, religion, or region.
Citing findings from reports such as the Sachar Committee and other official commissions, he stated that Muslims remain among the most socio-economically backward communities in the country. He urged the government to ensure that Muslims receive their rightful share in Telangana’s development journey, while clarifying that his appeal extended to all sections of society, including Hindus, Dalits, Backward Classes, Christians, Parsis, and others.
Owaisi strongly criticised politics driven by hatred and division, stating that communal polarization was being used by some elements for political gain. He reiterated that AIMIM believes in inclusive growth and equal rights for all citizens, regardless of religious or cultural identity.
Highlighting infrastructure concerns, he urged the government not to neglect Hyderabad’s Old City. He demanded better roads, flyovers, hospitals, bus bays, and playgrounds in the area. He also raised alarm over the growing drug menace among youth and called for strict action against those involved in narcotics trafficking.
Addressing environmental issues, Owaisi said that cleaning the Musi River would only be effective if sewage and stormwater drainage systems were separated and polluted lakes feeding into the river were restored first. He warned against construction on contaminated industrial land, citing risks of cancer, birth defects, and other serious health conditions.
The AIMIM leader further criticised policies allowing the conversion of old industrial land into residential and commercial zones, alleging that real estate interests were being prioritized over public health. He demanded mandatory scientific testing of soil and groundwater before any such development.
Owaisi also expressed concern over low government spending on education and healthcare despite economic growth. He called for the immediate release of pre-matric scholarships and urged the state to make education and health its top priorities.
Concluding his speech, he appealed for transparent policymaking, environmental accountability, and long-term planning, including a comprehensive master plan for the proposed Future City. He assured full cooperation from his party for the state’s overall development, stressing that true progress would only be possible when farmers, students, workers, and ordinary citizens prosper together.
Mohammed Naseer Giyas is a multi-media and bilingual journalist with over 20 years of experience across print, digital, and television media. Founder of Raftaar-e-Deccan, he is an alumnus of IVLP, Thomson Reuters Foundation, and ICFJ, and has worked with leading English and Urdu news organisations.
