Even as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed at the largest gathering offering prayers on Eid-ul- Fitr on Saturday that her government has done a lot for development of minorities, one of most respected Maulanas of Kolkata said that the State government has failed to deliver what it had promised.
Maulana Qari Fazlur Rahaman, who led the congregation at Red Road, said that Trinamool Congress has promised before coming to power that they will give recognition to 10,000 madrasas in the State but so far only 134 have been given recognition.
He also pointed out that even in these 134 institutions, nothing except free books have been provided by the State government.
“The development of minorities is only on paper, not much is done on the ground,” he added.
Speaking to The Hindu later in the day, Maulana Rahaman said that he made such comments on the occasion so that the Chief Minister takes note of it and works to ensure development of minorities.
Ms Banerjee, on the other hand, said that the State government has taken several measures for development of minorities. She emphasised that the Government by including Muslims in the OBC category has ensured that 97 per cent of them get the benefit of reservation in jobs.
Ms Banerjee makes it a point every year to attend the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations on Red Road.
Later in the day, she flagged of the Rath Yatra organised by Isckon (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) in Kolkata.
