Before the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party in its manifesto declared, “The Indian National Congress is irrevocably committed to ensuring that the Constitutional rights of all minorities in public administration will be increased. The Indian National Congress has pioneered reservations for minorities in Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in government employment and education on the basis of their social and economic backwardness. We are committed to adopt this policy at national level.” No doubt, people belonging to minority communities particularly Muslims were too much happy and saw rays of hope. They supported Congress in the election but as soon as it formed government, Congress began to change colours.
It is very unfortunate that Minister for Minority Affairs Salman Khursheed has opposed reservation to Muslims thus contradicting his own party’s manifesto. In an interview to Indian Express (June 8, 2009), he said, “Quota for Muslims is a double edged sword which could create envy, hostility and resistance.” He has rejected reservation outright and commented, “Inject an ability to compete rather than make them constant beneficiaries of additional help.”
The matter does not end here. He was asked about implementation of the recommendations of Justice Ranganath Misra Commission for Linguistics and Religious Minorities. Salman Khursheed expressed complete ignorance about the said Report and said he had not gone through it. It is very important to note that the minister who is heading Minority Affairs ministry knows nothing about Ranganath Misra Commission Report and has views on reservations of Muslims contrary to party line. Saner elements of the Indian society are questioning the wisdom of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in appointing such an ignorant person as Minister for such a sensitive ministry. Chairperson of UPA Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should clarify if the views and ignorance of the minister will overshadow the commitment of the party or the Congress will adhere to its promise made in the manifesto?
After demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992, it is the first time that Muslims voted to Congress en masse. In 1990s, Narasimha Rao adopted “soft Hindutva” policy which paved the way for Hindutva elements into state apparatuses. Narasimha Rao’s “calculated communalism” culminated in the genocide of Muslims in Gujarat in 2002. It was natural that Muslims tried to be with some other political parties like SP and BSP.
Even before 15th Lok-Sabha elections I had taken line that Muslims should not vote for Congress because our children are being murdered in the name of “War Against Terrorism” like Batla House encounter. But as elections progressed, I also changed views and came to conclusion that Congress must be given another chance. Hence Salman Khursheed’s comments have made people doubtful about real intentions of the Congress. Managers of the Congress should note that the views expressed by Salman Khursheed echo the BJP line on the issue. We should not forget that during the controversy over the Shah Bano judgement, Arif Mohd. Khan and BJP were on the same wavelength. The then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi dumped Arif Mohd. Khan. In the same manner either Salman Khursheed tender an apology or Manmohan Singh take action against him for toeing the BJP line.
In respect of reservation for Muslims, I wish to remind that the UPA government had appointed a high level committee under Justice Rajinder Sachar to document ground level status of Muslims in India. The Sachar Committee Report did not recommend reservation but it is only few inches away from it. Whatever it discussed and analysed indicates that Muslims must be brought under Constitutional umbrella. Way back in 2006, the then Minority Affairs Minister AR Antulay had said, “The report would be implemented in toto in the new year” (“Antulay’s New Year gift,” The Pioneer, December 29, 2006) but that “new year” never came.
It was also in 2006 that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared in the 59th National Development Council, “Minorities particularly Muslims will have the first claim over national resources.” Where is this “Muslim first” policy of the Congress? Since 2006, nothing has changed except that Muslims have received plates and waiting for food to arrive.
At the same time, Muslims should also understand some facts. The State alone can never develop a community. The community itself should take positive steps to climb the ladder of development. In fact Muslims have unique shortcomings. Most of them do not indulge in constructive things and if someone tries to set the things in order, they criticise and oppose him instead of cooperating. When Sir Syed Ahmed Khan launched his educational mission Aligarh Movement, he was opposed. When Vice Chancellor of AMU, Prof. PK Abdul Azis introduced transparent and accountable administration, he is being opposed. Though they can be counted on finger tips but instead of appreciating that Prof. Azis has given new lease of life to AMU, they are spreading baseless rumours. Fortunately like Sir Syed, Prof. Azis is continuously pushing AMU upward without losing courage. Muslim masses should isolate those who are habitual to roadblock their progress.
Back to reservation issue, this demand assumes tremendous importance. For the first time, Muslims are demanding something which has direct impact upon their economy and socio-politico status. Before mid-1980s, Muslims felt insecure about their identity which was reflected in three issues – minority status for AMU, Muslim Personal Law and Urdu. All these demands are still pending. Now there is clearly a shift of emphasis from old demands to reservation and justice. The new phase marks the changed mood among Muslim masses. As the Congress Party has committed for Constitutional reservations for Muslims, it must fulfil its promise. Moreover, reservation will not only become a tool of progress for the second largest population segment in the country, it will certainly help realise the dream of new India. Hence, the demand deserves consideration at the earliest.
[The Writer is Aligarh based socio-political analyst]