After Independence, we have lived for seven decades and very recently we have also celebrated the 72nd Republic Day. Definitely, we have made significant progress in the field of education, health, science and technology. We are now a nuclear power and have made a lot of progress in space science and information technology. The world has recognised the potential of our youth in the field of software. We are happy and proud of these successes and achievements.
After Independence, while keeping in mind the diversity of India and the notion of welfare and secular state, we planned to move forward. In the idea of secularism, it was envisaged that people of every religion will have religious freedom. The state will not give importance to any religion instead every religion and faith will be equal in the eyes of the state. No one will be discriminated in the name of religion. By considering all these aspects, we formulated and adopted a Constitution, which gave equal rights to every citizen and considered all citizens equal. The basic principles of our Constitution like Justice, Equality, Liberty, and Fraternity were the guiding principles behind the idea and the spirit of India.
Seven decades down the line, it is therefore important to introspect how far we have moved forward on these principles, which were designed for building our society and the nation at large. It is also equally important to find as to what extent we have been able to achieve the concept of a welfare state. We also dreamt to ensure that the resources should reach the last man in the society. It is therefore important to find out how far we have succeeded.
We also dreamt that despite differences in religion, class, caste, region, gender, and language everyone will enjoy equal respect, his dignity will be protected at all cost, his rights will be protected and everyone will have equal opportunity. It is therefore important to find out what we have achieved and what is the real situation on the ground. Definitely, we have made some progress in some fields but we are very far away from what we pledged during the framing of our Constitution.
However, in some aspects, the situation is very alarming and is a matter of great concern. It will take a long time to have a comprehensive view of all aspects, therefore we will take up only some issues like equality, equal opportunity, social justice, and human dignity. It is the responsibility of the people and the government to work on these issues and fix the dots where necessary in order to reform and safeguard the rights of the citizens. We all concerned citizens and groups should think as to what should be done in that direction.
In India, the social, economic and educational status of the weaker and marginalised sections with respect to their population can help us understand the real situation. Of the total 138 crore population in India, 41 per cent are people from other backward communities, which means 56 crore people are socially, educationally, and economically deprived. Around 22 per cent of the population, which means about 30 crore people, are below the poverty line. Scheduled castes are 16.6 per cent, which means 23 crores. Scheduled Tribe and Adivasis constitute 8.6 per cent, which means 12 crores. The Minorities in India are 19.3 per cent, which means 27 crores. Out of 27 crores, Muslims are 14.3 per cent, which means 20 crores. With the help of these figures, it would be easier to analyse the situation.
SC and ST constitute 25.2 per cent of India’s population, which means about 35 crores. For their welfare and improvement, there is the provision of reservation for them in education, employment and politics. It has resulted in better education, employment, and political opportunity. As a result, their confidence has also grown up and their social status has also improved. But in spite of all that, untouchability, discrimination, and exploitation from the upper caste is still there and is a matter of concern. Till today they are not allowed to enter the mandir of upper caste people. They are not allowed to take water from tap or from the river. If they do so, they are beaten and thrashed. Maltreatment against Dalit women, rape, and crime against Dalit women has increased manifold. Last year the horrific incidents at Unnao and Hathras districts of Uttar Pradesh was a blot on our society and the rule of law.
No doubt there has been a success on the abolition of the Sati system and untouchability but the way the Dalits are treated in our country is still a matter of great concern. Reservation has improved their condition a bit but a lot more is required to be done. On the social front, a lot is required to be done. And here the respective roles of the people and the government are important.
Our country is moving at a fast speed on privatisation. Entry from the backdoor in higher services is on the rise, which has endangered the opportunities for the weaker and marginalised sections. It is being done clandestinely because no party or the government can afford to go against reservation. The mindset that is working in this direction is the same that used to hate the weaker sections and the marginalised. This very mindset is a hurdle against the equal provision to the weaker sections. No doubt there are laws to provide justice for these sections but in spite of that our judicial system has not been able to provide justice for them. Till today our justice delivery mechanism favours the rich and powerful, and criminals. Considering this fact, some bold measures are required to ensure that justice has not only been done but it also should appear to have been done.
Even after seven decades, manual scavenging is a blot on our society. In 2013, a law was formulated to stop manual scavenging. It was made a criminal act and in that law, there was a provision to rehabilitate the scavengers. The government has time and again presented some good figures in this regard but the situation on the ground is still very deplorable.
According to a survey, in 18 states the number of manual scavengers are 48,345 of which 29,923 are in Uttar Pradesh alone. But the numbers and the reality on the ground may not substantiate these figures. In 2011, as per another survey, 1,82,505 families were found to be involved in scavenging. According to SKA (Safai Karamchari Andolan), there are about 12 lakh people who are doing this work. Cleaning of sewer lines and safety tanks are still done by them in spite of the fact that it is banned as per the law. There have been a lot of technological advancements and machines designed for this purpose. But still, people continue to die while cleaning these sewer lines and tanks. The reported death figures may be less as compared to actual figures. In 2018, 68 people have been reported to have died while in 2019, 110 people were registered to have died. These deaths and incidents should concern all of us, including governments.
Is humans working as manual scavengers in the 21st century not a matter of shame for people and the governments? As Muslims, it is our moral and religious responsibility to raise our voice against any kind of injustice towards anyone and work for the betterment and welfare of these marginalised people. We should fight for their rights and do all in our capacity to preserve and protect their dignity and life.