Mumbai: Amid the ongoing month-long peaceful strike by the Qureshi community in Maharashtra, the Federation of Maharashtra Muslims (FMM) convened a significant press conference at the Press Club of India in Mumbai. The aim was to highlight the injustices faced by the Qureshi community, condemn the violent assaults by unlawful cow vigilante groups, and shed light on the economic damage being suffered by both farmers and the state due to the continued protest.
The Federation emphasized that the Qureshi community plays a crucial role in the state’s agricultural and livestock sectors. Yet, they are increasingly falling victim to harassment by self-styled cow protectors who unlawfully stop the transport of livestock, confiscate vehicles, file false police reports, and commit violent assaults—some of which have even resulted in deaths.
Key Demands by the Federation:
1. Immediate ban and strict legal action against illegal cow vigilante groups.
2. Government protection for members of the Qureshi community and legitimate livestock traders.
3. Compensation for farmers affected by the economic disruption caused by the strike.
A delegation from the Federation met with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to raise these concerns. He listened attentively, expressed sympathy, and assured that he would coordinate a joint meeting with Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla.
Following this, a special meeting was held at Mantralaya in the presence of DGP Rashmi Shukla and Ajit Pawar, with representatives from the Qureshi community. During this meeting, serious deliberations took place, leading to several concrete decisions:
– The police department will soon issue an official circular to rein in illegal cow vigilante activities.
– To address transportation challenges, Ajit Pawar has contacted Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and scheduled a dedicated meeting to resolve these issues.
The Federation welcomed these measures and expressed hope that the government would promptly act on its commitments, thereby ensuring justice for the Qureshi community and relief for struggling farmers.
Prominent Representatives at the Press Conference and Meeting:
Maulana Mahmood Daryabadi – General Secretary, All India Ulama Council, Mumbai
Maulana Zaheer Abbas Rizvi – Vice President, Shia Personal Law Board
Adv. Abdul Majeed Qureshi – Secretary, Jamiat-ul-Quresh
Muhammad Javed Qureshi – Vice President
Munawwar Ahmad – Vice President, Jamiat-ul-Quresh, Pune
Farid Shaikh – President, Aman Committee, Mumbai
Maulana Anis Ashrafi – President, Raza Foundation, Mumbai
Hafiz Iqbal Chunawala – Member, Muslim Personal Law Board
Shakir Shaikh – Secretary, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind
Abdul Mujeeb – Coordinator, FMM
Humayun Shaikh – Divisional Head, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Mumbai
Asif Qureshi – Qureshi Community Representative, Mumbai
Fayyaz Qureshi – Aurangabad
Siraj Qureshi – Aurangabad
Arif Chowdhury – Pune
Political Leaders in Attendance:
Nawab Malik – Former Minister
Sana Malik – MLA, Mumbai
Najeeb Mulla – Former Minister
Government Officials Present:
Rashmi Shukla – Director General of Police (DGP)
Devendra Bharti – Police Commissioner
