Hyderabad Old City yearns for change

By Swati Reddy

A silent revolution is happening in the Old City as citizens are yearning for change. They do not want to put up with battered roads, overflowing sewer lines, dilapidated schools and poor civic conditions when the rest of the city has seen a sea change in its infrastructure.

The Majlis-e-Ittehadul-Muslimeen (MIM) has a stranglehold over the Old City and for over 25 years dictated terms to citizens living in areas north of the river Musi.

With another election round the corner, TOI talked to a cross-section of voters, from first-timers to veterans, to get a feel of the mood in the Old City, but what comes out clearly to the fore is that they will not allow political parties to take them for granted. They want change and they want their vote to ensure that transformation.

The young voters in the area are desperate for change — a change from rhetorics and hooliganism.

“MIM legislators did not bring any significant change in the lives of the people of the Old City. Be it education or economy, neither saw improvement. More than two decades is a long period to test a party’s credibility. Long time ago, it had promised to open 100 schools in the Old City, but nothing has been done so far,” A R Arif, a businessman and resident of Moghalpura, said.

“Lok Satta’s campaign against corruption excites me. I may cast my vote in favour of it. Otherwise, my next choice will be the third front,” Arif added.

The emotive issue of arrest and subsequent release of several Muslim youth in terror-related cases is likely to play a decisive role in the forthcoming elections. In fact, the struggle for justice has led to a greater level of awareness and an urge to change. “Many youth were put behind bars without charges and all this happened during the Congress regime. Till date, the real perpetrators of the Mecca Masjid blast are on the run. Why should we trust the Congress?” Sameena Sheikh, 28, a lecturer at a government college and a resident of Charminar, said.

Naeem Khan, 30, who has voted twice for MIM, has a change of heart. “After seeing the MIM rule for years together, I will give a try to other contenders to see what they can do for the Old City,” Naeem, a salesman and a resident of Tadban, said.

“In the last 25 years, barring big promises and showing clout, MIM has not taken up development of the Old City. Child labour, backbreaking roads and overflowing drains are a testimony to the ‘development’ here. MIM’s local establishments do not even allow residential welfare committees to be formed. A voice raised is immediately silenced,” 29-year-old S Q Masood fumed.

“Though in the last two years things have improved thanks to the campaigns taken up by Left-wing parties, a lot needs to be done”, Masood added.

Interestingly, hordes of youngsters have joined Prajarajyam. MIM’s pressure exists on other political parties, but with people coming forward to join other parties, the party representatives have kept their mouth shut, a representative of an NGO in the Old City said.Syed Sajid, 23, convener of communitybased organisation Liberty Youth Association, said winds of change were sweeping the Old City. The association encourages youth to make an informed decision.

“Over 50 per cent of voters do not have electoral photo identity cards in the Old City. The condition of government schools is pathetic, while there are hardly a few English medium schools. Had MIM wanted to do something, just a representation to the government would have been sufficient. Health services at urban health posts are also not up to the mark,” Sajeed added. The residents of Old City have dropped enough hints of what they want, but are the political parties listening?