Sun Oct 05 18:04:53 UTC 2025: ## Summary:
The Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath (TNTJ) held a youth conference in Madurai where they passed several resolutions. President R. Abdul Kareem highlighted the underrepresentation of Muslims in government jobs, advocating for increased reservation in Tamil Nadu, specifically a raise from the current 3.5% to at least 5% with the ultimate goal of 7%. He also criticized the hero worship of cinema stars following a deadly stampede at an actor’s rally and condemned the BJP for allegedly exploiting the tragedy for political gain, while neglecting other issues like ethnic violence in Manipur and delayed funding to Tamil Nadu. Additionally, he spoke out against the perceived hate campaign against Muslims in Uttar Pradesh and voiced disapproval of a Supreme Court judgement regarding the Wakf Amendment Act.
## News Article:
**Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath Calls for Increased Muslim Reservation, Condemns Hero Worship and BJP’s Actions**
**MADURAI, October 5, 2025** – The Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath (TNTJ) convened a youth conference in Madurai on Sunday, voicing concerns about the underrepresentation of Muslims in government jobs and calling for an increase in reservation quotas within the state.
TNTJ President R. Abdul Kareem addressed the media, stating that the current 3.5% reservation for Muslims in Tamil Nadu is insufficient considering the community’s population. He advocated for an immediate increase to 5%, with the ultimate goal of reaching 7%. “Many qualified Muslims are forced to seek low-paying jobs abroad due to lack of opportunity here,” Mr. Kareem explained. “Reservation is the key to addressing this disparity.”
The TNTJ also addressed the recent tragic stampede at actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam rally in Karur, which resulted in 41 deaths. A resolution was passed urging young people to refrain from blindly following cinema stars and engaging in hero worship, which was deemed a contributing factor to the incident.
Furthermore, Mr. Kareem strongly criticized the BJP for what he characterized as an attempt to exploit the Karur tragedy for political advantage. He accused BJP leaders of neglecting Tamil Nadu during previous natural disasters and criticized the delayed release of RTE funds from the Central government. “They are quick to visit Karur, but were absent during the ethnic violence in Manipur,” he stated, highlighting what he perceived as selective engagement.
The TNTJ president further condemned the alleged “hate campaign” against Muslims in Uttar Pradesh and expressed dissatisfaction with a recent Supreme Court ruling on the Wakf Amendment Act, which permits individuals of other faiths to serve on Muslim trust boards.
The TNTJ’s conference underscores ongoing debates surrounding minority representation, social justice, and political maneuvering within Tamil Nadu and across India.