Mumbai: A state-level meeting of Rashtriya Ulama Council (RUC) party workers was held at Rang Sharda Auditorium in Bandra, with RUC National President Maulana Aamir Rashadi announcing that his party would contest the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections.
During the event, hundreds of people joined RUC, including notable figures like Andaleeb Majrooh Sultanpuri, son of famous poet and Bollywood lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri, and Shanul Syed, great-grandson of Maulana Hasrat Mohani. Social activist Abdul Rab Mohammad Shamim Khan along with hundreds of his supporters, also joined it.
Andaleeb Majrooh Sultanpuri was appointed National Secretary and State In-charge, while Shanul Syed and Ejaz Mulla were made State Vice Presidents, and Abdul Rab Mohammad Azeem Khan was named State Secretary.
Maulana Rashadi accused the BJP-Shinde government of oppression and exploitation of the marginalized sections, particularly the Muslims in the state. He also criticized the Maha Vikas Aghadi for remaining silent on these issues.
Speaking about the problems facing Muslims, he said, “Under the BJP-Shinde government in Maharashtra, the homes, mosques, and religion of Muslims are under threat, while the MVA, which claims to be a ‘shop of love,’ stands by and watches.”
He added, “They talk about ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,’ yet our innocent scholars and children are being thrown into jails, our youth killed, and it has reached the point where blasphemous comments are made against our religion and the Prophet ﷺ, but no action is being taken. This is their idea of ‘Vikas’.”
Andaleeb Sultanpuri remarked, “My father, Majrooh Sultanpuri, always stood by the truth. He endured the cruelty of imprisonment but never compromised with falsehood. He faced punishment and was imprisoned, enduring great hardships, but he never became dependent on anyone. If we remain silent in these circumstances, our nation will never forgive us.”
Other speakers included the party’s National VP Maulana Muqtada Khairi Misbahi, National Secretaries Advocate Talha Rashadi, Thakur Anil Singh and Maulana Obaidur Rahman Qasmi, Spokesperson Huzaifa Rashadi, Shanul Syed, Abdul Rab Shamim Khan Madani, and others.
