9 months ago
Mumbai Shia Muslims Threaten NOTA if Denied Civic Poll Candidacy
Imagine there's a big group of people in Mumbai called Shia Muslims.
They feel like no one in the city's local government council listens to them because they haven't had anyone representing them for a long time.
They believe there are many of them in certain areas and deserve to have people from their community run for council seats.
They recently had a meeting and said that if the political parties don't start putting Shia Muslims on their candidate lists for the upcoming elections, they might not vote for anyone.
They might either not vote at all or pick the 'none of the above' option.
They hope this will make the parties pay attention and give their community a voice in how the city is run.
Some politicians say they will consider Shia candidates if they are popular enough to win, but they don't want to pick candidates just because of their religion.
Shia Muslim groups in Mumbai are threatening to vote NOTA or boycott upcoming civic elections if denied candidacy.
They cite a lack of political representation despite an estimated two million Shia population in the city.
Specific demands include nominating Shia candidates in wards with significant community presence, such as Ward 139.
Lack of representation has reportedly led to delays in essential community services like a dedicated graveyard.
Political parties state they select candidates based on winning potential and are wary of nominations based solely on religious affiliation.
- Who
- Shia Muslim community groups in Mumbai
- What
- Threatened to boycott or vote NOTA in upcoming municipal elections if political parties do not nominate Shia candidates.
- Where
- Mumbai, specifically mentioning Govandi, Mankhurd, Shivaji Nagar, and Ward 139 (Lotus Colony)
- When
- In the coming municipal body elections
- Why
- To address the lack of political representation and perceived discrimination by political parties.
Shia Community Demands
Political Party Considerations
Community Representation
Shia Community Demands
Shia groups demand nomination of community members as candidates in municipal elections, citing a large population and lack of past representation as discrimination.
Political Party Considerations
Parties select candidates based on their winning ability and will consider a Shia candidate if they can win, but avoid choosing candidates solely based on religious sect.
Specific Ward Demands
Shia Community Demands
A Shia candidate should be given a party ticket from Ward 139 (Lotus Colony) where the Shia population is estimated to be between 20,000 to 25,000.
Political Party Considerations
Reservation for municipal seats has been announced, and parties will consider candidates based on surveys and ground conditions, not just specific ward demographics.
Community Needs and Services
Shia Community Demands
Lack of representation prevents the community from raising concerns, leading to long waits for essential services like a dedicated graveyard and unmet demands for land for Muharram rituals.
Political Party Considerations
While parties aim to win elections, they must also navigate various pressure groups and avoid catering to demands based on religious affiliations, focusing instead on electability.
Key facts
- Community Meeting Location
- Govandi, Mumbai
- Meeting Date
- Friday
- Estimated Shia Population in Mumbai
- Nearly two million
- Key Shia Hubs Mentioned
- Govandi, Mankhurd, Shivaji Nagar
- Ward 139 (Lotus Colony) Shia Population Estimate
- 20,000 to 25,000
- Mentioned Constituencies with Shia Population
- Mankhurd–Shivaji Nagar, Kurla, Byculla, Bandra, Andheri, Mumbadevi, parts of south Mumbai
- Last MLA from Shia Community
- Syed Ahmed (Congress), represented Nagpada (now Mumbadevi) for five terms
Quotes
Arif Abbas Sayyed
General secretary of the Mumbai Youth Congress and president of the Govandi Shia Youth Brigade
“If political parties continue to ignore these demands, the community will launch democratic protests and intensify its call for political reservation for Shias in the BMC, ensuring long-overdue justice and proper representation.”
freepressjournal.in
“Whichever political party fulfills this legitimate demand will receive the full support and united votes of the Shia community in the upcoming municipal elections.”
freepressjournal.in
Mehraj Rizvi
Participant in the meeting
“We had to wait for nearly 40 years for a graveyard in Mankhurd that can be exclusively used by us. Our demand for Karbala land, which is for the Muharram rituals that take over two and quarter months, remains unmet due to lack of representation.”
freepressjournal.in
“We appeal to parties to give Shia candidates a chance to contest elections in areas where the community is in a majority.”
freepressjournal.in
Abu Asim Azmi
Samajwadi Party MLA from Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar
“Without a survey of ground conditions, we cannot give away tickets. The reservations for the municipal seats have been announced and there will be pressure groups who want to promote their candidate. We will definitely consider a Shia candidate who can win. However, if candidates are chosen as Sunnis, Shias, Barelvis, there will be no end to the demand.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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