Muslim Convention in to Raise Questions on Hijab, 2B-Reservation and Congress Promises

Muslim Convention in Bengaluru to Review Congress Government’s Three-Year Record

Bengaluru: A state-level Muslim convention scheduled to be held in Bengaluru on the 16th of this month is expected to focus on the Congress government’s three-year performance in Karnataka and the concerns of the Muslim community over unfulfilled promises, including the hijab ban and reservation issues.

Organisers said the convention is being held to review the government’s work since coming to power and to place community demands before the Congress leadership. They clarified that the gathering is not linked to recent political developments or elections and has been in preparation for several months.

According to the organisers, the convention is being jointly organised by Muslim organisations, religious scholars, social workers, and community representatives from across Karnataka. They also stressed that no political party or political leader is officially backing the event.

Speaking about the purpose of the convention, Suhel Ahmed Maroor said there is growing disappointment within the community over what they described as the government’s failure to act on major promises made during the Assembly elections.

“In the 2023 Assembly elections, Congress made several assurances to the Muslim community, particularly regarding the hijab issue and restoration of 2B reservation benefits that were removed during the BJP government,” he said. “Many people supported Congress believing these issues would be addressed. But even after three years in power, there has been no concrete action.”

He said the convention would act as a platform to assess the government’s record and communicate public concerns directly to the ruling party.

“There is dissatisfaction and frustration among sections of the community regarding the functioning of the Congress government,” Suhel Ahmed Maroor said. “This convention is meant to alert the government about the concerns of the people who voted for them.”

The proposed convention has also triggered political discussion in the state, especially after recent developments linked to the Davangere by-election. However, organisers denied any connection between the event and recent political controversies.

Tanveer Ahmed said preparations for the convention had started nearly six to eight months ago under the Karnataka State Muslim Organisations Federation.

“We had already planned to organise a review meeting around the completion of the government’s third year in office on May 20,” he said. “Opinions and feedback were collected from different districts before deciding on the convention. It is incorrect to link this programme to recent political incidents or by-election developments.”

Organisers said the convention would focus on issues affecting the Muslim community and the government’s response to them over the past three years. Discussions are expected to include implementation of promises made in the Congress manifesto and concerns over representation and policy decisions.

Questions have also been raised about whether senior Muslim political leaders from the state, including ministers and legislators, would attend the convention. Organisers clarified that no politician from any party has been officially invited to participate on stage.

Yahya Damudi said the organisers wanted to keep the programme community-driven rather than politically controlled.

“This is not a political convention organised by any party,” he said. “Political leaders are not being invited as speakers. If anyone attends, they can do so as members of the community, not as representatives of political parties.”

He added that the intention of the event was not confrontation but dialogue.

“The programme is being held for the welfare of the community and to discuss issues related to the government that people elected,” Yahya Damudi said. “The objective is to present concerns in a democratic and peaceful manner.”

The convention is expected to bring together representatives from different districts of Karnataka and is likely to draw attention from both political observers and community groups as the Congress government approaches the completion of three years in office.