top of page

By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Educated Muslims being hounded: Owaisi

Mumbai: AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi has flayed what he termed as a ‘media trial’ in the alleged TCS Nashik conversion case and claimed that educated Muslims youth are being deliberately targeted as part of planned ‘hate campaign’, here on Saturday. Reiterating full faith in the judicial process, Owaisi said that justice cannot be handed out through media narratives or television debates and the law must be allowed to take its own course. “We are seeing a very dangerous trend… Now,...

Educated Muslims being hounded: Owaisi

Mumbai: AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi has flayed what he termed as a ‘media trial’ in the alleged TCS Nashik conversion case and claimed that educated Muslims youth are being deliberately targeted as part of planned ‘hate campaign’, here on Saturday. Reiterating full faith in the judicial process, Owaisi said that justice cannot be handed out through media narratives or television debates and the law must be allowed to take its own course. “We are seeing a very dangerous trend… Now, educated Muslims are being picked out for orchestrated allegations and media campaigns. This doesn’t augur well for society and justice itself with the media playing the role of the judge and jury,” said Owaisi sharply. Flanked by the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen state President Imtiaz Jaleel, Owaisi also emphatically said that it was wrong to link his party with the TCS case prime accused Nida Khan, “who will be ultimately proven innocent in the courts”. He expressed concerns over the slur campaign driven by malice and political motives against his party as well as Nida Khan in some sections of the media even before the investigations were completed or a judicial scrutiny. “Merely because some allegations have been hurled at a young woman professional, attempts are being made to paint her ‘guilty’ through media trials, even before judicial scrutiny. But, we have complete faith in the judiciary and are confident that the court will eventually exonerate her,” asserted Owaisi. Public Discourse Raising questions on the probe and accompanying public discourse with stress on the alleged recovery of certain ‘evidence’ from Nida Khan’s home, he sharply questioned: “Since when have a burqa, a niqab or religious literature become objectionable… Is wearing a hijab now regarded as evidence of a crime?” He said that these details along with baseless allegations are sensationalism in the media to create further prejudice against the minority community and reflected a deep-rooted hostility aimed at harassing educated Muslim men and women. Owaisi pointed out that a complaint in the TCS Nashik case was filed by a leader linked with the ruling party, and as per the software giant’s statement, Nida Khan was not with its HR Department and transferred even before the controversy erupted, contradicting several media reports. Of the nine cases lodged in the matter till date, in one case, she was accused of hurting religious sentiments, but nobody can comment on it before the court pronounces its verdict, he pointed out. Court Fight Dismissing attempts to drag and link the AIMIM into the row, he referred to a party Municipal Corporator Matin Patel who was booked merely on the basis of certain allegations and vowed to contest the matter in the court. Here Owaisi cited multiple examples of educated Muslims being scrutinised – including in Delhi when some educated youths were arrested for possessing a book by the legendary Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib and they were later released. There was another one from Allahabad where some Muslim boys were targeted for writing an Urdu ‘sher’ (couplet) prompting judicial intervention, and predicted that even in the Nashik TCS case, the truth will ultimately prevail as no criminal charges against Nida Khan may stand. AIMIM to set up voter help-desks AIMIM President and Hyderabad MP, Asaduddin Owaisi said his party is developing a digital application containing electoral records of all 288 Assembly constituencies in Maharashtra for 2002-2024, to help voters in the SIR process. For this, the AIMIM will set up help desk centers in its strongholds to facilitate the process and ensure proper utilisation of voter data. Alleging discrepancies in electoral records, he said such errors create huge problems for the voters, especially the poor or illiterates. Owaisi mentioned how of the nearly 27 lakh names placed in the adjudication list in West Bengal, “90 pc were poor Muslims.” These centers would be open for all Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Dalits, Adivasis and the general public needing assistance with the electoral records.

Artificial Intelligence: Transforming the Future of Education

The birth of Artificial Intelligence is often compared to the birth of the Internet-an innovation that quietly entered our lives and gradually became inseparable from it. Decades ago, the Internet was a luxury; today, it is a necessity woven into our daily existence. Similarly, AI is not just another technological trend-it is steadily becoming an integral part of human life. Whether we consciously choose to use it or not, AI will continue to exist, evolve, and shape the way we learn, work, and think. Its presence is inevitable, and its impact on education is already profound.


India’s education system stands at a crucial turning point. Delivering quality education to millions of students across diverse regions, languages, and socio-economic backgrounds remains a significant challenge. Various assessments continue to highlight persistent learning gaps, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative and scalable solutions. In this context, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful catalyst for change.


The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a turning point for digital learning in India. Platforms such as DIKSHA, Google Classroom, and WhatsApp ensured continuity of education during school closures. Even in low-resource settings, mobile-based learning became a lifeline. This rapid digital shift not only exposed existing gaps but also laid a strong foundation for integrating AI into mainstream education.


Personalised Learning

One of the most transformative aspects of AI is its ability to enable personalised learning. Every student learns differently, with unique strengths, weaknesses, and pace. AI systems can analyze student performance in real time and adapt content accordingly.


AI-powered tutors guide students through their individual learning journeys, helping them overcome challenges, build confidence, and stay engaged. AI is equally empowering for teachers.


Educators often face heavy administrative workloads that limit their teaching time. AI tools assist in lesson planning, grading, and performance analysis, reducing routine burdens.


This allows teachers to focus more on meaningful classroom interaction, creativity, and student engagement-ultimately enhancing the quality of education. Assessment methods are also being redefined through AI. Unlike traditional exams that provide delayed feedback, AI-driven systems offer instant insights into student performance. They help identify learning gaps early and enable timely intervention.


For example, AI tools can assess reading skills by analyzing pronunciation, speed, and comprehension, making evaluation more accurate and effective.


Beyond the classroom, AI plays a significant role in educational governance and administration. Through advanced data analytics, authorities can monitor school performance, student attendance, and dropout trends. This data-driven approach enables better decision-making, efficient resource allocation, and targeted interventions.


Inclusivity in Education

AI is also driving inclusivity in education. Assistive technologies support students with disabilities, while multilingual tools break language barriers, making learning accessible to a wider audience. Innovations like Virtual Reality further enrich the learning experience by making it immersive and interactive, thereby enhancing student engagement and understanding.


However, the integration of AI in education is not without challenges. Limited digital infrastructure, especially in rural areas, lack of internet access, and concerns around data privacy must be addressed. It is important to recognize that AI is not a replacement for teachers but a powerful tool to support and empower them.


With thoughtful implementation, continuous teacher training, and responsible use, AI has the potential to revolutionize education. It can make learning more personalized, inclusive, and effective, ensuring that no student is left behind. Artificial Intelligence is not merely a technological advancement-it is a transformative force. Just as the Internet became an inseparable part of human life, AI too is on the path to becoming a defining element of our future. Embracing it wisely today will shape a smarter, more equitable education system for tomorrow.


(The writer is principal of Podar International School at Ausa, Latur. Views personal.)

Comments

bottom of page