The new UPA government is firmly in saddle and can now implement its programme without any albatross in its neck. It is hoped by all those who have voted it to power that it will fulfil its promises which it made to common man.
Voting pattern surveys reveal that there was a considerable shift of Muslim votes to Congress which enabled it to get the present comfortable strength. At the same time the Muslims are dismayed that only 30 Muslims, from different political parties would be representing them in the 15th Lok Sabha. This amounts to about 60 per cent deprivation for them in the Lower House. In the 14th Lok Sabha they had 38 Muslim MPs.
Besides, only four Muslims, two of them for J&K, have been given least important portfolios in the Manmohan Singh cabinet. Only two of them are holding cabinet rank.
Muslims had it always in their mind during elections that the communal forces should be defeated at any cost and for this the best bet was Congress. The Congress also understands this weakness of Indian Muslims and therefore there has been an impression in the minds of many Congressmen that Muslim votes should be taken for granted. It is not a healthy trend and does not bode well for the future of democracy in this country. In a healthy democracy every section of society should be appropriately represented and made a partner in decision making. Therefore it is imperative that Congress should compensate this deficiency by giving more seats to the Muslims in Rajya Sabha. Further they should be given more representation in the Union Cabinet.
The Muslims have a long standing demand of proper representation in government jobs, for this they were demanding reservation. Justice Ranganath Misra Commission, whose report is collecting dust for the last two years, has also recommended at least 10 per cent job reservation for Muslims. It is time to implement the recommendation in word and spirit.
It is very unfortunate that Mr. Salman Khursheed, Member of State for Minority Affairs, has termed reservation for Muslims as a double-edged sword. The question is why Muslims do not deserve reservation as a backward community when Misra Commission also has supported it. Mr. Salman is for some affirmative action to uplift the community. He pains and spelt out his concept of affirmative action by saying that more scholarships should be given to Muslim students, and hospitals and educational institutions be opened in Muslim concentration areas, and that they should be beneficial for other communities also. It appears that the honourable minister is either confused or knows his place in the present dispensation.
In the previous government Mr. A.R. Antulay held the same position. His position was so pitiable that even proper office and staff was not provided for him and he could not do anything concrete for uplifting the community. Should we think that Mr. Salman Khursheed will also repeat the same story. If so, it would be a very sad thing for the country and its polity. The Muslim community must make a strong representation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and demand justice for them. Hope good sense would prevail upon the government and it would act before the Muslim sense of alienation crosses all limits.