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Speaking at the felicitation function organised by CMEII for Muslim
Ministers and newly elected MPs at New Delhi on 9th June, 09, the
union minister of minority affairs, Mr. Salman Khushid said that he
is under the prime minister's instructions to take up programs
directly and through various economic ministries for speedy
development of minorities, particularly Muslims, who have been left
out of the mainstream educational and economic activities in the
last 62 years.
He asked that when demand for reservation is raised, we must be
clear on what basis and under which provision the same can be done.
He said Article 341 has its social and historical dimensions and in
OBC reservation, Muslims are included but, they have not been able
to access opportunities. He said the Prime Minster is keen for
Muslims economic development and on quite a few occasions, he has
expressed that adequate resources need to allocated for their speedy
progress. Now it is for us, how effectively we can translate good
intentions of the Government into some concrete schemes for us.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister, Dr. Faruq Abdullah said
that we have been talking about increasing our representation in
government but in effect this is on constant decline since 1947. The
figure of 31 out of 543 MPs in 15th Lok Sabha bears testimony. He
emphasised the need to collectively pursue the development agenda
for Muslims and suggested to form a monitoring mechanism to get us
work and correct us, if we go wrong.
Mr. Sultan Ahmad, Union Minister of State spoke on the need for work
in rural areas. He said education holds the key to our development
and we must concentrate on the same. He said we need a national
leader from our community, under whose leadership, we could move for
our struggle for progress. Mr. Ahmad demanded tabling of Mishra
Commission report.
Delivering his Presidential Speech, Mr. K Rehman Khan, Dy. Chairman,
Rajya Sabha said that let us not shy away that we are Muslims
Representatives in the Government and we have to talk about their
agenda and work for it. He said it is not the lack on the part of
the Government in appreciating the difficulties faced by Muslims,
but our failure to clearly work out our agenda, put up demands
collectively and pursue persistently to get them done. He said we
need to understand our priorities - education, reservation and
empowerment.
Present on the occaision were Mr. Asad Owaisi, MP, Mr. A Rashid, MP,
Mr. Kadir Rana, MP, Mr. Ahmad Saeed , MP, Mr. B. Ajmal, MP, Mr.
Zafar Ali Naqvi, MP, Mr. Azeez Pasha, MP, Mr.D Raja, MP, Mr. Maulana
Qasmi, MP, Dr. Ejaj Ali, MP, Mr. Shariq, MP, Mr. M Adeeb and few
other MPs, besides Mr. Shafi Quraishi, Chairman, NCM, Mr. PA Inamdar,
Chairman, Azam University and others
Mr. Naqvi, Maulana Qasmi, Mr. Shariq, Mr. Ajmal and Mr. Rana also
shared their thoughts.
Earlier making background presentation, MJ Khan, President, National
Economic Forum for Muslims said that the world order is changing and
the community need to access quality education for mainstreaming
role, growth and a place in the society. He emphasised that youths
are looking forward to playing mainstream role in the social and
economic development of the nation. They need enabling environment
and level playing field. He spelt out Six point demand for the
consideration of the Government:
Six Point Agenda
1.
Govt. support in education, skills development, equal opportunities
and fair share in national resources
2.
Community needs the Instrument of Reservation. Mishra Commission
Report to be Tabled in House
3.
Equal Opportunity Commission to be set up
4.
The reports of all Commissions and Committees to be tabled and ATR
presented within 3 months
5.
Muslims sensitivities to be respected
6.
Audit of Ministries and States on “Minorities Confidence Level” and
to release Annual Survey Report
Based on that following four specific demands were spelt out by MJ Khan, while
concluding his presentation. The program was ably conducted by Mr.
Kamal Farqui.
1.
The discrimination meted out to Muslims under article 341
through the Presidential Order 1950, must be revoked and
Muslim SC/SC castes must be entitled to the same benefits, as other
SC/ST
2.
Muslims need the instrument of reservation.
The OBC quota may be tri-furcated among Advanced OBCs, MBCs and
Muslims for a just and fair share to all the three sub-groups
3.
15% share in all educational institutions,
Govt or private, and in all Govt. and PSUs schemes, allocations,
dealerships etc., as suggested by Mishra Commission. A Monitoring
Officer in each Ministry.
4.
Support in skills up-gradation and certification
through launch of a major program up to block levels by the Union
Ministry of Labour and Employment with allocations of Rs. 3500
crores annually.
MJ
Khan is the President of IMRC and Muslim Economic Forum
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