When I read the interview of Syed Shahabuddin (Indian Abroad, Aug.6), I got the impression that the central and state governments are solely responsible for the backwardness of Muslims in India. However, the fact is, almost 300 million people, including Hindus and Muslims, are poor or below the poverty line (earn about a $ or 1.25$ a day) and illiteracy is also widespread. This is due to the wrong policies of these governments in the last 63 years since Independence in India – not spending enough money on primary, secondary and vocational education. It is nothing to do with Muslims as such but much to do with poor governance. It was the Congress which was in power during most of these years.
He himself says that in the West Bengal, where Communists are in power, the representation of Muslims is less than 2 percent with a Muslim population of 27 percent. The Sachar Committee Report has mentioned that the Muslims are better off, both educationally and in income, in Gujarat, where the BJP is in power for the 10/15 years.
In a paper written on the subject, Muslim Deprivation: Some thoughts in the context of the Sachar Committee Report, Yoginder Sikand, ( a sympathetic commentator on the Muslim issues ) of the Centre for Jawaharlal Nehru Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, mentions that most of the Muslim NGOs are engaged in religious education and 80 percent of zakat goes to madrasas quoting the eminent social scientist Imtiaz Ahmad. More Masjids are built than the number of schools by Indian Muslims. The other minorities such as Christians, Parsee, Sikhs or Jains build schools and colleges to empower their brethren. Self-help has a major role to play in empowering people to get jobs in the government service and in the private sector. Muslims too have the power to empower their community.
Muslims, like all Indians, should ask for good governance and the right policies, and with that progress would be automatic to all – all boats can rise. There is mis-governance everywhere in India. Just now there is a scam in Commonwealth Games. Corruption is rampant. Good governance (without corruption) and the rule of law would be good for all Indians, including Muslims. Injustice could be easily eliminated in recruitment or in case of riots.
He talks of 'share' and 'give us our due'. He also talks about 'the middle class is basically communal' and ' our real fear is the Bharatiya Janata Party'. He does not talk about how he is going to empower Muslims and India. There is no indication of change in the perception in Syed Shahabuddin's interview. This is sad.
( A letter sent to India Abroad on the interview with Syed Shahbuddin in India Abroad,dt.Aug.6,2010.)
August 8,2010.
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