12-04-2006, 09:25 AM
Sachar panel report
It was painful to read the finding of the Rajinder Sachar Committee that Muslims exhibit "deficits and deprivation" in almost all aspects of development (Dec. 1). The report has exposed the false propaganda of the sangh parivar that Muslims have benefited immensely from the appeasement policy of various political parties. As expected, the Sachar Committee report too has come under attack from the saffron brigade.
The Centre should implement the Committee's recommendations, including reservation for some Muslim groups. It is envisioned that the 21st century will belong to India. But by systematically keeping a sizeable section outside almost every field of activity, India cannot translate this vision into reality. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
K. Abdul Nassar,
Aluva, Kerala
Successive rulers have either appeased or denigrated the Muslim community to strengthen their vote banks. While the Sachar Committee's recommendations are far-reaching, the exercise will bear fruit only if Muslims cooperate in their implementation. A mass campaign to spread social awareness about the importance of education will improve their social status. Kerala Muslims bear testimony to this. Even before the Gulf boom of the 1970s and 1980s, their awareness of the importance of education was widespread. The Gulf boom complemented it.
O.D. Damodaran,
Thrissur
I welcome the Committee's recommendation to create an Equal Opportunity Commission, modelled on the U.K. Race Relations Act. Besides being a corrective measure, it will also serve as a monitoring authority that looks into the grievances of not only Muslims but of the SCs, the STs, and the OBCs. Such a commission set up in Hong Kong to address the grievances of the minorities has been functioning successfully.
Arabi Haja Mohideen,
Kowloon, Hong Kong
The root cause of their backwardness is the insecurity among Muslims. State-sponsored carnages like the post-Godhra riots add fuel to the fire. In most instances, the administration does not act on their complaints. The need of the hour is affirmative action to make them feel secure and part of the national mainstream. The state should not stop with announcements to win their votes.
Shashikant Singh,
Roorkee, Uttaranchal
The Manmohan Singh Government's intention may be noble but it has given the BJP and the sangh parivar a weapon to hit Muslims with. The report, I am sure, will gather dust. What was the need to appoint another committee when reports of the National Minorities Commission on almost the same issues are lying with the Government?
Shariq Alavi,
Lucknow
Mr. Sachar's statement that data from the armed forces on the number of Muslims in their ranks have not been used comes as a relief. No aspirant to the armed forces is denied selection on religious grounds. Esprit-de-corps, instilled by timeless values and traditions, is the force that binds armed forces personnel, not religious identity. Politicians should refrain from involving this glorious institution in controversies.
K. Sarath Chander,
Bangalore
The Sachar Committee has not revealed anything new. Most educated and affluent Muslims migrated to Pakistan during Partition. Those who stayed back preferred to follow traditional skills. Those who broke the religious barriers have risen and found a place in government services. The community's case for reservation in jobs is defeated by the fact that many Muslims drop out of school fairly early. The benefits of reservation will go to the creamy layer leaving the really backward at the mercy of madrasas.
J.M. Manchanda,
New Delhi
While a community cannot be allowed to suffer continuously, it is important to identify the causes that have contributed to its state. Reservation will only serve as a cover-up, and fail to achieve the real objective of bringing about radical changes.
Gaurav Sobti,
Pune
The Muslim community has itself to blame for its backwardness. Muslims ruled the country for centuries. They, therefore, cannot be compared with the backward classes on whom other sections thrust backwardness.
A. Mrinalini,
Hyderabad
Were Muslims, once the rulers of the country, oppressed like Dalits? There are so many groups that are economically backward.
The Sachar Committee's recommendation that specific Muslim groups be included among the Scheduled Castes, if implemented, will be vote bank politics at its worst.
G. Nageswara Rao,
Hyderabad
Reservation for the SCs, the STs, and the OBCs was provided with a view to offset the social oppression they suffered for centuries. There is no evidence of such oppression vis-Ã -vis Muslims. In fact, they enjoyed preferential treatment for centuries under Muslim rule.
If today Muslims are backward, it is they who are to blame. Religious conservatism and isolation are responsible for their backwardness, not lack of opportunities.
D.V. Rama Krishna,
Visakhapatnam
It was painful to read the finding of the Rajinder Sachar Committee that Muslims exhibit "deficits and deprivation" in almost all aspects of development (Dec. 1). The report has exposed the false propaganda of the sangh parivar that Muslims have benefited immensely from the appeasement policy of various political parties. As expected, the Sachar Committee report too has come under attack from the saffron brigade.
The Centre should implement the Committee's recommendations, including reservation for some Muslim groups. It is envisioned that the 21st century will belong to India. But by systematically keeping a sizeable section outside almost every field of activity, India cannot translate this vision into reality. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
K. Abdul Nassar,
Aluva, Kerala
Successive rulers have either appeased or denigrated the Muslim community to strengthen their vote banks. While the Sachar Committee's recommendations are far-reaching, the exercise will bear fruit only if Muslims cooperate in their implementation. A mass campaign to spread social awareness about the importance of education will improve their social status. Kerala Muslims bear testimony to this. Even before the Gulf boom of the 1970s and 1980s, their awareness of the importance of education was widespread. The Gulf boom complemented it.
O.D. Damodaran,
Thrissur
I welcome the Committee's recommendation to create an Equal Opportunity Commission, modelled on the U.K. Race Relations Act. Besides being a corrective measure, it will also serve as a monitoring authority that looks into the grievances of not only Muslims but of the SCs, the STs, and the OBCs. Such a commission set up in Hong Kong to address the grievances of the minorities has been functioning successfully.
Arabi Haja Mohideen,
Kowloon, Hong Kong
The root cause of their backwardness is the insecurity among Muslims. State-sponsored carnages like the post-Godhra riots add fuel to the fire. In most instances, the administration does not act on their complaints. The need of the hour is affirmative action to make them feel secure and part of the national mainstream. The state should not stop with announcements to win their votes.
Shashikant Singh,
Roorkee, Uttaranchal
The Manmohan Singh Government's intention may be noble but it has given the BJP and the sangh parivar a weapon to hit Muslims with. The report, I am sure, will gather dust. What was the need to appoint another committee when reports of the National Minorities Commission on almost the same issues are lying with the Government?
Shariq Alavi,
Lucknow
Mr. Sachar's statement that data from the armed forces on the number of Muslims in their ranks have not been used comes as a relief. No aspirant to the armed forces is denied selection on religious grounds. Esprit-de-corps, instilled by timeless values and traditions, is the force that binds armed forces personnel, not religious identity. Politicians should refrain from involving this glorious institution in controversies.
K. Sarath Chander,
Bangalore
The Sachar Committee has not revealed anything new. Most educated and affluent Muslims migrated to Pakistan during Partition. Those who stayed back preferred to follow traditional skills. Those who broke the religious barriers have risen and found a place in government services. The community's case for reservation in jobs is defeated by the fact that many Muslims drop out of school fairly early. The benefits of reservation will go to the creamy layer leaving the really backward at the mercy of madrasas.
J.M. Manchanda,
New Delhi
While a community cannot be allowed to suffer continuously, it is important to identify the causes that have contributed to its state. Reservation will only serve as a cover-up, and fail to achieve the real objective of bringing about radical changes.
Gaurav Sobti,
Pune
The Muslim community has itself to blame for its backwardness. Muslims ruled the country for centuries. They, therefore, cannot be compared with the backward classes on whom other sections thrust backwardness.
A. Mrinalini,
Hyderabad
Were Muslims, once the rulers of the country, oppressed like Dalits? There are so many groups that are economically backward.
The Sachar Committee's recommendation that specific Muslim groups be included among the Scheduled Castes, if implemented, will be vote bank politics at its worst.
G. Nageswara Rao,
Hyderabad
Reservation for the SCs, the STs, and the OBCs was provided with a view to offset the social oppression they suffered for centuries. There is no evidence of such oppression vis-Ã -vis Muslims. In fact, they enjoyed preferential treatment for centuries under Muslim rule.
If today Muslims are backward, it is they who are to blame. Religious conservatism and isolation are responsible for their backwardness, not lack of opportunities.
D.V. Rama Krishna,
Visakhapatnam