Minority voters driven by issues like development, security & secularism

Mumbai: Voters from minority communities made sure to cast their ballot Wednesday driven by factors such as development and secularism. Across Bandra, Andheri, Jogeshwari, Kurla, Kalina, Mohammed Ali Road and Nagpada, Christians and Muslims performed their Constitutional duty in a conscientious manner.Qazi Munawwar Ali, Chief Qazi of Greater Mumbai, appreciated the Muslim community's effort. In Nagpada, hotel management consultant Shaikh Mohammed Ali said, "I did vote. And I saw streams of people go for voting from morning till evening." Nasir Shaikh and his wife were early birds at 7.15am. "I had my mind set for NOTA today but polarising communal statements led a lot of people in opposing directions. I chose the lesser evil," Shaikh said.Maulana Wahaj Athar Qasmi, president of Jamiat Ulema Bandra-Andheri, said, "Muslims voted against the Waqf Amendment Bill and hate mongering, and in favour of protecting the Constitution and restoring law and order. All citizens must be treated equally and fairly." Maulana Burhanuddin Qasmi of Markazul Ma'arif, Jogeshwari, went with his wife and daughter. "The EC provided required facilities. I visited nearby polling booths but sadly saw low turnout," he said.The Christian community heeded the call of Cardinal Gracias to protect the Constitution, said Fr Calistus Fernandes of Victoria Church, Mahim. In Kalina, Gleason Barretto of Mobai Gaothan Panchayat said people voted for development, security and indigenous people's rights.Dolphy D'Souza of Bombay Catholic Sabha voted in Orlem, Malad, saying, "The Anti-Conversion Law, Fr Stan Swamy's death, relocation of Dharavi's residents to Malwani and breakdown of public transport are main issues." Educationist Frazer Mascarenhas said voting in Andheri East gathered pace. "We do not distinguish between minority and non-minority voters as many Hindus are Dalits, adivasis and lower caste groups and these too form minority groups in our society as they are treated so. All are concerned about violence, breakdown of law and order, lack of jobs, deterioration of the economy and misuse of laws like UAPA." In Byculla, Cyril Dara of Samast Christi Samaj said, "We care about the politics behind policies that do not sufficiently address Christian issues."In Muslim-dominated Naya Nagar, Mira Road, voting increased in the second half of the day. The area had seen communal tension in Jan after the opening of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Parts of Nalasopara saw lukewarm response which one Mariam Qureshi blamed on voter fatigue given the Lok Sabha poll six months ago. Thane's Mumbra saw orderly voting, improving upon the chaotic scenes of Lok Sabha polls.Mumbai: Voters from minority communities made sure to cast their ballot Wednesday driven by factors such as development and secularism. Across Bandra, Andheri, Jogeshwari, Kurla, Kalina, Mohammed Ali Road and Nagpada, Christians and Muslims performed their Constitutional duty in a conscientious manner.Qazi Munawwar Ali, Chief Qazi of Greater Mumbai, appreciated the Muslim community's effort. In Nagpada, hotel management consultant Shaikh Mohammed Ali said, "I did vote. And I saw streams of people go for voting from morning till evening." Nasir Shaikh and his wife were early birds at 7.15am. "I had my mind set for NOTA today but polarising communal statements led a lot of people in opposing directions. I chose the lesser evil," Shaikh said.Maulana Wahaj Athar Qasmi, president of Jamiat Ulema Bandra-Andheri, said, "Muslims voted against the Waqf Amendment Bill and hate mongering, and in favour of protecting the Constitution and restoring law and order. All citizens must be treated equally and fairly." Maulana Burhanuddin Qasmi of Markazul Ma'arif, Jogeshwari, went with his wife and daughter. "The EC provided required facilities. I visited nearby polling booths but sadly saw low turnout," he said.The Christian community heeded the call of Cardinal Gracias to protect the Constitution, said Fr Calistus Fernandes of Victoria Church, Mahim. In Kalina, Gleason Barretto of Mobai Gaothan Panchayat said people voted for development, security and indigenous people's rights.Dolphy D'Souza of Bombay Catholic Sabha voted in Orlem, Malad, saying, "The Anti-Conversion Law, Fr Stan Swamy's death, relocation of Dharavi's residents to Malwani and breakdown of public transport are main issues." Educationist Frazer Mascarenhas said voting in Andheri East gathered pace. "We do not distinguish between minority and non-minority voters as many Hindus are Dalits, adivasis and lower caste groups and these too form minority groups in our society as they are treated so. All are concerned about violence, breakdown of law and order, lack of jobs, deterioration of economy and misuse of laws like UAPA." In Byculla, Cyril Dara of Samast Christi Samaj said, "We care about the politics behind policies that do not sufficiently address Christian issues."In Muslim-dominated Naya Nagar, Mira Road, voting increased in the second half of the day. The area had seen communal tension in Jan after the opening of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Parts of Nalasopara saw lukewarm response which one Mariam Qureshi blamed on voter fatigue given the LS poll six months ago. Thane's Mumbra saw orderly voting, improving upon the chaotic scenes of Lok Sabha polls. (With Sandhya Nair & Nishikant Karlikar)