Mumbai : In an apparent move to counter the popular belief that Hindutva forces have gained momentum after the BJP came to power, the BJP government in the state has initiated a special drive to win the trust of Muslims.
Under this drive the government plans to initiate dialogue with Maulavis, Imams and influential people from the community. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has entrusted housing development minister Prakash Mehta with the responsibility and Mohd. Farooq Azam, who recently switched over to the BJP from Congress, is asked to organise the dialogues, sources have said.
The drive began with a meeting at the Minara Masjid recently. As many as 42 imams of Mosques from across the Mumbai attended the meeting, sources said. The minister who spoke at the meeting assured the community leaders of a fare treatment for the community members from the government. He also assured the community members with increased FSI for the Masjid and made a few more announcements regarding demands made by the community members.
Meanwhile, a day after meeting a delegation of Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT), Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Wednesday, said the State government will support the Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment project so that it is completed on time.
“Assured complete support for Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment project to the delegation of Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust,” Fadnavis said on Twitter.
Ahead of the first death anniversary of the 52nd Dai Al-Mutlaq Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin last week, Fadnavis had spoken about the Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment project and applauded the Dawoodi Bohra community’s keenness to establish the first smart-city model in Mumbai.
The project aims to rehabilitate 3,200 families and 1,250 businesses based in the congested area through redevelopment.
FPJ Political Bureau