Hyderabad: Senior Congress leader and Government Advisor Mohammed Ali Shabbir reaffirmed the Congress party’s deep-rooted commitment to secularism and social justice at the 35th anniversary of the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Yatra.
Speaking at Charminar on Sunday, Shabbir recalled the 1990 launch of the Yatra during a period of intense communal unrest. “Rajiv Gandhi began the Sadbhavana Yatra from Charminar to Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial to send a strong message of unity,” he said, adding that the symbolic first flag hoisted by leader T. Niranjan still stands as a testament to harmony.
Sadbhavana Yatra secular legacy: Congress honours Rajiv’s vision
Shabbir praised former Union Minister Salman Khurshid, who received this year’s Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award, for his decades-long public service. He highlighted Khurshid’s legal fight for Telangana’s 4% Muslim quota, including representing the state in the Supreme Court free of charge.
He also praised Rahul Gandhi’s 2022 Bharat Jodo Yatra for reviving the spirit of Sadbhavana. “Despite doubts, we ensured he hoisted the flag at Charminar. That event reaffirmed Charminar’s identity as a beacon of communal harmony,” Shabbir said.
Telangana’s welfare: New quotas, hostels, and education support
Shabbir detailed key initiatives under the Congress government, including efforts to raise BC reservations to 42% and extend Muslim quotas to 10% through a comprehensive household survey. He blamed the BJP-led Centre and Governor for stalling Telangana’s reservation Bill, while accusing the BRS of silent complicity.
Rejecting claims of government inertia, he listed achievements such as ration card distribution after 13 years, fine rice for families, free bus travel for women, and 200 units of free electricity. He said 70+ integrated hostels were completed to foster communal living among students.
He also mentioned new engineering and law colleges for minority institutions like Jamia Islamia and Shadan, 2,000 additional engineering seats, and new pharmacy colleges in Jagtial and Hyderabad.
Shabbir noted that 11 Muslim candidates cleared Group-I services under the 4% quota, along with 785 in Group-II and many police constables, proving the impact of targeted welfare.
Revanth Reddy committed to inclusive governance, says Shabbir
Dismissing criticisms of CM Revanth Reddy’s approach to minority welfare, Shabbir said the CM works quietly but sincerely. “Revanth upholds the secular values Rajiv Gandhi lived and died for,” he said.
He concluded by honouring Rajiv Gandhi’s sacrifice and called the Sadbhavana Award to Salman Khurshid a fitting tribute to a secular leader. “We pray for his continued service to the nation,” he added.