In the run-up to the general elections, Muslims in the state have come out with a charter of 20 demands which the community wants political parties to accept if they want its votes.

The ‘Muslim Electoral Declaration’ was put up before the community members, who had come from across the state, and assembled at the Anjuman-I-Islam school premises at CST on Sunday. The meet was organised by Movement for Human Welfare (MHW), an organisation working towards the education and its awareness amongst Muslim youths.

Most of the demands were listed out by Dr Syed Zafar Mahmood, former member of Sachar committee, who the organisers had called to give a presentation. Highlights of the demands were having fast-track courts to try Muslims accused of terror charges, providing compensation of Rs 50 lakh to those who are judicially acquitted of terror allegations, implementation of the prevention of targeted violence bill, making scheduled caste definition religion neutral, 67 per cent reservation in jobs and educational seats for minorities and establishment of Indian Wakf Service.

“Another important point that we want political parties to implement is making villages as unit of planning and implementation of their infrastructure schemes. This way we feel that the community will be able to benefit better,” said Mahmood.

The meet included some prominent speakers like Zahir Kazi, president of Anjuman-I-Islam, and senior advocate Yusuf Muchhala. Sarfaraz Arzoo, editor of Urdu daily Hindustan and Maulana Hamid Azhari from Malegaon were some other speakers at the gathering.

Muchhala emphasised on the issue of identity of the Muslims that was left out in the demands set out by Mahmood. He stated that he agreed with the Supreme Court on section 377. “As per the religious-cultural tradition, (decriminalising 377) is an attack on our basic values. They are first saying you should be tolerant. Later it will be accepting them. In the name of human rights, this will lead to the foundation of gay marriages in this country,” said Muchhala.s