The Telangana government’s decision to allocate ₹70 crore from the minority welfare budget for organizing Iftar parties has sparked strong criticism from Muslim organizations and community leaders. Many have condemned the move, arguing that such a large sum should be directed toward welfare and educational initiatives for the Muslim community rather than political gatherings.
Former Chairman of the State Minority Commission, Abid Rasool Khan, has written to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, expressing his opposition to the expenditure. In his letter, Khan stated, “We strongly oppose spending such a huge amount on an event that holds no religious significance and offers no tangible benefit to society. If this ₹70 crore had been used to establish a medical and pharmacy college or a suitable educational program for the Muslim community, it would have been a landmark decision.”
Various civil society organizations have also voiced their discontent. The United Citizens Forum, a social organization in Telangana, labeled the government’s decision as a misuse of minority funds. Its president, Maqbool Ahmed, urged the Chief Minister to redirect these funds toward addressing real issues faced by the Muslim community. “We appeal to the Muslim community to boycott such politically motivated Iftar parties, which serve as mere publicity stunts rather than genuine welfare measures,” Ahmed said.
Prominent social activist and environmentalist Dr. Lubna Sarwat criticized the expenditure, calling it “blatant financial mismanagement.” She remarked, “Spending crores on Iftar parties is not just a misuse of public funds but also against Islamic principles. This is nothing more than a political spectacle. If the government is truly concerned about Muslim welfare, it should invest in scholarships and minority educational institutions instead.”
Sarwat also pointed out that the trend of government-sponsored Iftar parties began during the tenure of former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) and is now being continued by the Revanth Reddy administration.
The Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO), Telangana chapter, has also condemned the expenditure, questioning the government’s priorities. SIO State President Mohammed Faraz Ahmed stated, “The Telangana government is hosting a grand Iftar event in Hyderabad at an estimated cost of ₹70 crore. While being presented as a gesture of communal harmony, this raises serious concerns about the government’s commitment to addressing long-term welfare issues of the Muslim community.”
SIO further urged the state government to prioritize genuine developmental initiatives, including education, employment, financial assistance, and other essential welfare measures, rather than focusing on symbolic events.
Muslim organizations and scholars have collectively urged the Chief Minister to cancel these Iftar parties and instead utilize the funds for the betterment of minorities. They have also highlighted that since the minority welfare budget is meant for all religious minorities, diverting a substantial portion to Iftar expenses is unjust to other communities as well.
The controversy has sparked a broader debate on the appropriate use of public funds and whether political Iftar gatherings truly benefit the Muslim community or serve as mere political posturing.
