SP govt has failed Muslims: Bukhari

Even as the Samajwadi Party is all set to laud Akhilesh Yadav as an able chief minister in its national executive meet at Kolkata, cof Delhi's Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari has termed the first six months of his government as "disappointing" for Muslims.

Bukhari met Akhilesh in Lucknow on Saturday, and said that the SP government has so far failed to fulfil the expectations of the Muslims. "Muslims had high hopes from the SP. They voted overwhelmingly for the party, but it failed to deliver in its first six months," Bukhari told The Indian Express.

After the Akhilesh government was sworn in on March 15, SP president Mulayam Singh Yadav had sought six months for his son to deliver results.

Bukhari said, "If elections are held today, we don't have the face to ask Muslims to vote for them. I had appealed to Muslims to support the SP during the Assembly polls. But it will be a tough call now, I have no answer."

Citing the failures of the state government, Bukhari said that Muslims faced three riots — in Kosi Kalan, Pratapgarh, Bareilly. "The government failed to disseminate the message among officials that they will be held responsible for riots in their districts."

He said that the state government is yet to form a legal committee to ensure the release of Muslims who have been framed in terror cases. "At least those, against whom chargesheet has not been filed, can be given bail," he said.

He said there was a feeling that no work was being done at ground level. "Mulayam had promised us a lot, many of our demands were included in the party's poll manifesto. After six months, several important promises remain unfulfilled," remarked Bukhari.

Bukhari said that no effort was being made to ensure reservation for Muslims. And, despite several reminders, there are no Muslim district magistrates. "There are a few SPs but no Muslim DM. If there is a paucity of Muslim officials, get them on deputation. The Chief Secretary is a Muslim, but it will serve no purpose as people interact with ground-level officials," he said.

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