After Dalit rallies, CPM plans one for Muslims too

Now, the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) — the women’s wing of the CPI(M) — is organising a national convention of Muslim women on August 27. This assumes some political significance when read along with the political organisation report placed at the party’s 19th congress at Coimbatore in April, which had underlined the need to “recruit Muslim and Christian minorities in the party”. A series of similar meetings have already taken place in various states.

The first of its kind, the meeting in August will outline a charter of socio-economic, educational and health requirements for the Muslim community, including a demand to allocate 15 per cent of the annual budget under various ministries for its targeted development. “Our struggle is to ensure that the Indian Government bears its due responsibility and takes concrete measures for the upliftment of the Muslim community, which is one of the most underprivileged in India, especially for women” AIDWA general secretary Sudha Sundararaman told The Indian Express.

On the reservation front, it demands reservation for Dalit Muslims along with 33 per cent reservation for women. AIDWA also wants the Government to prepare a comprehensive OBC lists in all states so that all Muslim OBCs are included.

Worth noting is that the CPI(M) is desperate to replicate its success in making inroads into the Muslim community in Kerala —where various Muslim organisations had played a crucial role in ensuring the victory of the CPI(M)-led LDF Government. Incidentally, the party performed abysmally in the panchayat elections in two West Bengal districts with large minority populations.