Muslims in terms of population is roughly 14 per cent but the irony is that only 9 Muslims out of 108 have received Padma awards and 63 out of 875 got Gallantry awards. Figures like 7.2 per cent in Gallantry and 8.33 per cent in Padma awards speak volumes about the fact that Muslims are outcaste even in awards and recognition. Is there any dearth of Muslims in the field earmarked as category for these awards? Should Muslims be satisfied that something is better than nothing or ask for more because they deserve it?
It is not the first time that the controversy has erupted after Padma awards; sometime the controversy is about language, region, caste and religion or even on merit or conferment of awards too late than expected. At times there are complains that one or the other states have been left out or poorly represented or awarded to greater extent than they deserve. In the past too, many have refused to accept awards for one or the other reason.
Noted actor of the South S. Janaki, who has sung more than thousand songs in various south Indian languages, refused to accept her Padma award this time because she felt that it was too late and also because of the neglect of the South in the entire awards. Janaki has protested on the ground that there are many great personalities in different fields in the South who need to be respected and it would be good to boost the morale of others if the government takes the trouble to honour them. The government has however rejected her argument that there was North and South divide lurking somewhere while conferring awards this time.
But one may not be completely satisfied with the way selection process is done and many doubt that if not all at least some are certainly given to allure an individual by neglecting merit and standards of the given process to identify those awarded.
After every award programme it is possible that some may feel to be honoured or to have been ignored or the government did not follow transparent measure and procedure while finalising the list of the Padma awards conferred for distinguished services in various fields. This year nine Muslims who out of 108 have received Padma awards are: S Haider Raza awarded Padma Vibbushan in the field of Art; Abdul Rashid Khan received Padma Bhushan in Art; Ghulam Mohammad Shahnawaz, S Shakir Ali, Prof Mustansir Barma, Dr M Sharaf-e-Alam, Prof Akhtarul Wasey, Nida Fazli and late Shaukat Riaz Kapoor awarded Padma Shri.