“Telangana election: SHOCKING Congress manifesto vows ‘Muslim-only schools, govt contracts’ – DETAILS” screamed the title of a news report published by Times Now on November 27, 2018. According to the report, the Congress party has promised seven ‘Muslim-only’ schemes to woo the minority community voter base ahead of the Telangana assembly elections. The report further stated, “The schemes are – free electricity to mosques and churches, special opportunities in government contracts for the Muslim youth, Rs 20 lakh aid to poor Muslim students, residential schools for Muslims, hospitals for minorities, special Urdu DSC (District Selection Committee) for minorities, and punishment to firms for hiring on the basis of religion.” .@Paul_Oommen takes us through the 7 ‘Muslim only’ schemes pledged by Congress in its Telangana manifesto #CongForMuslims pic.twitter.com/YWWxDuLF4H — TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) November 26, 2018 Managing Editor of Times Now, Navika Kumar also did a show on the Congress’ manisfesto where she said, “Hospitals will be build for Muslims, schools will be build for Muslims. (translated)” It is a well-poised method by Congress, says Political Analyst @varnishant #CongForMuslimsTape pic.twitter.com/eNGepmHLim — TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) November 27, 2018 Republic TV too reported on the same narrative that the manifesto of the Congress party has promised seven benefits exclusively for Muslims and other minority sections in Telangana. The headline of the report read, “Congress On Appeasement Overdrive In Telangana: ‘Muslim Only’ Schools & Hospitals, Free Power For Mosques Promised”. Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami also reiterated the claim reported in the article by the channel. #MuslimOnlyCongress | If a community is socially and economically backward in the state, we can talk about their empowerment: Shakti Singh Yadav-Spokesperson, RJD pic.twitter.com/gXXcOUqQ2F — Republic (@republic) November 27, 2018 Claim 1: Free power supply to mosques and churches Under the, ‘Religious sector’, it states that free power will be supplied to the temples, mosques and churches in the state. The reports published by the stated media organizations do not mention free power supply for temples and instead focused on the reference to mosques and churches. Claim 2: Honorarium to Imams only Talking about the honorarium, Republic TV anchor Arnab Goswami in his debate said, “Masjid ke jo Imam hain unko Rs. 6000 jyada milenge. Mandir ke priest ko nahi milega (Imam of mosque will be given extra Rs. 6000. Priest of temple won’t -translated)” The manifesto says, “Pujaris working in 643 temples will be given salaries on par with State Government staff. Pujaris and staff will also get accident insurance and health cards.” Moreover, it also states, “Honorarium will be given to Pastors and Fathers on par with Pujarais of Temple and Imams/Maozan of mosques.” Goswami’s claim was based on point stated under the minorities section which says, “All Imams and Maouzans of mosques will be given a monthly honorarium of Rs.6,000.” Claim 3: Scholarship for Muslims Republic TV and Times Now in their news reports, as well as Arnab Goswami in his debate have referred to the promise of Rs 20 lakh aid which will be given to the poor ‘Muslim’ (minority) student for ‘overseas education’. The coverage sought to represent this as a ‘Muslim only’ scheme whereas the manifesto states otherwise, with provisions for minorities, SC, ST, EBC and OBC students as well. Claim 4: Special consideration in Government contracts for Muslims Republic TV’s news report states, “the minority youth will be given special consideration in the government contracts.” However, the report has glossed over the promises made to the youth who participated in the Telangana movement, as also the pledge for 5 percent reservation in government contracts for SC, ST and other disadvantaged communities. Claim 5: ‘Muslim hospitals’ In his debate, Goswami also claimed that Congress has promised ‘Muslim hospitals’ in Telangana and the report published by the news channel stated, “Hospitals exclusively for Muslims will be established”. The manifesto says, “Government Hospitals will be established in minority concentrated areas.” Nowhere, it says these hospitals are only for Muslims as claimed by several news media outlets. The news reports are inconsiderate of the several other schemes which refer to hospitals pledged to be constructed in each Mandal and assembly segment.