Meet Mangaluru’s Mubeena Banu who secured government job after 13-year-long legal battle

Hokkodgoli (Arambodi Village, Belthangady Taluk) Mangaluru, KARNATAKA:

Mangaluru:

In a remarkable tale of perseverance and determination, Mubeena Banu, a Muslim woman from Hokkodigoli in Arambodi village, Belthangady taluk, has secured a government post after a 13-year-long legal battle.

Mubeena Banu, the tenth child of Muhammad H, a beedi contractor, and D. Zainaba, pursued her education in her village from 1st standard to 2nd PUC. She later completed her graduation from a private college in Moodbidri and earned her post-graduation (MA) from Mangalore University, Konaje. In 2008, with the aim of fulfilling her parents’ dream, she applied for the post of Supervisor in the Women and Child Welfare Department.

Despite her qualifications, she faced a setback when she was not selected for the post in 2010. Undeterred, Mubeena Banu investigated the reason for her exclusion and discovered a discrepancy in her marks. Her BA degree marks were recorded incorrectly as 71.79% instead of the actual 75.36%. Despite facing resistance from senior officers, Mubeena persisted in her efforts, seeking support from former MLAs Vasant Bangera and Ramanatha Rai.

Having relocated from Mittabailu to Melkar and working as a lecturer in a private educational institution, Mubeena approached Speaker UT Khader for assistance in her final attempt. She filed a complaint with the Lokayukta and approached the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT). Through persistent efforts, KAT ruled in favor of Mubeena Banu.

On January 10, 2024, the Women and Child Welfare Department issued an appointment order to Mubeena Banu for the position of Supervisor at the Office of Child Development Project Officer, Bantwal Taluk. Mubeena, who initially applied from Arambodi village, is now in Sajipa Muda village of Bantwal taluk with her husband, marking the culmination of her arduous journey.

Reflecting on her journey, Mubeena expressed gratitude to her late father, a social worker who emphasized education, and her mother for their unwavering support. She acknowledged the financial assistance from her parents and husband Ismail Khader during her numerous trips to Bangalore Vidhana Soudha and departmental offices. Mubeena also highlighted the crucial support from Lokayukta officer Amanullah, Speaker UT Khader, and his close assistant Libzat.

In her own words, Mubeena Banu said, “UT Khader always supported my persistence and struggled to get that government post, which I missed due to the mistake on the part of the officials. Maybe it can be said that after he intervened, the path of my struggle became easier.”

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / January 22nd, 2024