· Minister Seethakka, MLA Bhojju, MLC Vittal attend meeting with Jainoor Muslim representatives
· Joint meeting of Tribal, Muslim leaders with CM Revanth Reddy set for 28th or 29th September
Hyderabad, September 24: In a bid to restore peace and harmony between the Muslim and Tribal communities in Jainoor, Kumarambheem Asifabad district, Advisor to Telangana Government (SC, ST, OBC & Minorities) Mohammed Ali Shabbir chaired a high-level meeting at the Telangana Secretariat on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by the Minister for Panchayat Raj & Rural Development, RWS, and Women & Child Welfare Danasari Seethakka, Khanapur MLA Vedema Bhojju, MLC Dande Vittal, former Union Minister Dr. S. Venugopal Chary, eminent educationist Mahboob Alam Khan, and representatives of the Muslim community from Asifabad district.
Discussions focused on addressing the aftermath of communal riots that erupted in Jainoor on September 4. The leaders emphasised the need for both communities to resolve their differences and restore the longstanding peaceful relations that existed before the unrest.
During the meeting, both Muslim and Tribal leaders denied having any inherent differences. They condemned certain external elements for instigating the riots, exploiting an isolated incident to create discord between the communities. The leaders expressed their commitment to maintaining the peace and brotherhood that has been the hallmark of their relationship for centuries.
Speaking on the occasion, Shabbir Ali said that Muslim leaders voiced concerns over recent attempts to disturb the peace in their areas. However, he noted that community leaders reaffirmed their intention to resolve any differences at the local level, ensuring that harmony between the two communities remains intact.
Minister Seethakka, who had earlier met with Gond tribal leaders in Utnoor and Jainoor, briefed the meeting on her findings. She assured that the Tribal community has no enmity with Muslims or any other group. She described the Gond Tribals as a peaceful community focused on their livelihood while preserving their rich culture and traditions.
Both Muslim and Tribal leaders agreed to respect and protect each other’s traditions and identity, just as they have done in the past.
It was decided that a joint meeting between leaders of both communities, along with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, would take place on September 28 or 29. The objective of this meeting is to consolidate efforts for peace and prevent any future attempts to exploit communal tensions.
The leaders made it clear that no individual or group would be allowed to use isolated incidents to create unrest and target an entire community.
Tuesday’s meeting followed an earlier discussion between Panchayat Raj Minister Seethakka, Khanapur MLA Bhojju, and Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Monday. The Congress government has been actively working to mediate peace between the Gond Tribals and the Muslim community since the clashes broke out on September 4.
Minister Seethakka and MLA Bhojju, after meeting with tribal leaders, submitted a report to the Chief Minister outlining the causes of the conflict and the measures taken to restore peace. Despite police action and compensation for those affected by the riots, Shabbir Ali stressed that legal and financial remedies alone were insufficient.
The Congress leaders have been working on a long-term solution to ensure communal harmony by facilitating dialogue between the communities. Shabbir Ali expressed optimism, noting that both elders and youth from the Muslim and Tribal communities were committed to maintaining peace. He also highlighted that the success of these efforts could serve as a model for resolving communal tensions across the country. (eom)