Urdu should be first language of Telangana: Owaisi

Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday reiterated that his party was against the division of Andhra Pradesh. However, in case of division, he demanded that Urdu be made the first language of Telangana State along with Telugu.

Talking to reporters after meeting the Group of Ministers (GoM) here, Asaduddin Owaisi said that he reiterated what he had stated in earlier reports. "I have given more explanation on the realities which are going to arise in case the State is bifurcated and the challenges to come to secularism. These are the broad things that we talked about," he said.

"When two States based on Telugu are coming into existence, then what about Urdu? Why can't Urdu be the first language of Telangana? When Telangana Bill is brought, then it should be mentioned that Urdu will be the first language along with Telugu in Telangana," the MIM president said. Speaking about Rayala-Telangana he said that he requested the GoM to add Anantapur and Kurnool in Telangana. However, he said he had no issues if the Centre decides to include whole of Rayalaseema in Telangana State.

The MIM leader also demanded that there should be no change in the status of Hyderabad and strongly opposed the Union Territory status for the State capital. Further, he said that the law and order issue should be with the Telangana Government and not with the Centre. There should separate High Courts for both the States. He also sought special measures for the protection of lives and properties of Seemandhra people living in Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana region. He said the Seemandhra people need not fear anyone or anything in case of bifurcation.

In his 18-page note given to the GoM, Asaduddin Owaisi demanded that the four reservation in jobs and education for Muslims should continue in both the States and the welfare schemes for Muslims, Christians and other minorities should be continued without any hindrance.

He also condemned the Congress leaders for adopting a confusing and strange stand on a crucial issue like Telangana.