(Below is a discussion on the Muslims in India in light of the Sachar Committee Report that Manzoor Ali and Roshni Sengupta, Research Scholars at JNU had over Google chat. There is no end to a discussion or debate. Please join us!)
Roshni: hi...how are you?
Manzoor: yeah, i m fine, what about u?
Roshni: have you been able to get your hands on a printed copy of the Sachar report?
Manzoor: not exactly, thanks to BJP, they have held the whole parliament at ransom, yaar
Roshni: i know...they are disgusting...now advani is saying that he wants to become the PM...idiot...
Manzoor: i fear that Sachar report will soon meet the fate of the Gopal Singh report
Roshni: yes...unless the government takes a strong stand and does not give in to the BJP...they are always looking at opportunities to oppose and create a furore...the terrible thing is also that they are slowly but surely getting back into their hard hindutva line...after ‘India shining’ failed and they were toppled...not that they left it anyway...
Manzoor: Gopal Singh committee, was also formed by Congress, this time too looking at their past record of political unwillingness, i think Congress has no guts to do anything about this report too…
Roshni: absolutely...they are never willing to venture into troubled waters...but they have a great platform…you see the report has revealed that the charge of Muslim appeasement that the BJP has been charging them with is false...the report attests this fact...they can get back to the opposition and make their position clear...i don't know why they are not doing it...
Manzoor: this report is also against the Congress in some ways, if u look at it the other way round. they have ruled this country for 45 yrs, and Muslims get down to 3% from 35% in employment. .what they have done for Muslims is pretty clear.
Roshni: true...that is why i am saying that this is a good opportunity for them to clear their name....this is the time that they should get back to the BJP...tell them that see this is what has happened...and Muslims need to be helped...
and then they can get down to business...if they want to do it that is...
BJP has no locus standi on this at all...
Manzoor: communists should hold their own position. Even though performance in Bengal is not so encouraging. but we r accepting this fact and doing lot more in Bengal for the betterment of Muslims.
Roshni: that is exactly what i am saying...look there is no way for the Muslims in India if the concerned parties do not come together and form a consensus of some kind on their upliftment and development...and the BJP is not one of them...the Left has to take the lead...and try and do something...like what is being done in Bengal..
Manzoor: yes, consensus is pre-requisite for any political progress. I think major regional parties like SP, BSP, TDP, DMK, should and must come together, under the pioneership of the Left parties. definitely, left have to play a major role in that. but that should not be restricted to Bengal. when left can rise so extensively in Maharashtra against the Dalit killing issue, why not for Dalit Muslims in other parts of India? In UP, Bihar A.P etc.
Roshni: for the community as a whole...the leadership of the muslims cannot be left to sundry community leaders alone...what about the rest of the community...there will be no progress without political consensus. and for political consensus to be built the hindutva forces have to be kept out of power...that is the first pre-requisite....it has to be done...the next step would be to keep the coalition working...and then lead a sustained movement for equality and rights...very very clearly focussed on political, economic, and social rights ...similar to what Dr Ambedkar did in maharashtra...
Manzoor: but u know, left is not clear about dalit Muslim reservation. though they are opting a easy way out i.e. affirmative action. I know that reservation is not a solution to all the problems. but why there should be discrimination on the basis of religion. when a hindu dhobi is in SC list, a Muslim dhobi remains out of that…the irony must get resolved within the constitutional framework
Roshni: absolutely right...this dichotomy has to be addressed...that is exactly why i am not against reservations for the Muslims...if a Hindu or dalit can be given reservation, why not Muslims? secondly, why are only the Muslims left out of the reservation list?
Manzoor: that's needs constitutional amendment. It’s tough. But, u know many Muslims elite (Ashrafs) are against reservation, just because they will remain out side.
Roshni: right...and if there is going to be discrimination...then there better be positive discrimination....the people who speak for reservation on economic and not caste basis for the rest of India shy away when the same thing is demanded for the muslims...considering the fact that the Muslims constitute the poorest rung of the Indian social order next only to the scheduled tribes...
Manzoor: we have the Kerala model in which 99.2 % Muslims are under reservation and belongs to state OBCs List, then we have Karnataka Model where Muslims' have special representation. then Bihar and Tamil Nadu Model. we can incorporate these models at the central level with necessary changes
Roshni: but one thing is heartening to see...the southern states are doing better as far as development of muslims is concerned...in fact the difference is discernible if one travels down south...say hyderabad...the Muslim community there seems to be much better off than their counterparts in say UP or Gujarat...same is the case with Kerala...so models are available for replication...only the political will is required...
Manzoor: that's partially true, in the context of A.P. the index of social progress is bad in case of Muslims. poverty is deep rooted in the A.P. hinterland. Most Muslims are landless labourer.
Roshni: well that is true for all states...be it in south or in the north...the overall situation is dismal and things can only get better from here...so certain pragmatic and feasible steps have to be taken...by the political class...irrespective of the opposition of the BJP...
Manzoor: yes, but i m talking about muslims of A.P. in comparison with the Muslims of other states.
Roshni: yup i get your point...the situation is only slightly better...Muslims are landless labourers in most states across India with a small elite....then what about the furore on the PMs comments that the minorities should get first access to resources? this is exactly why Muslims need first access to resources...from now on at least...because they have not had any...access that is...
Manzoor: you know BJP will remain RSS, as a donkey can't be polo horse.
Roshni: you are absolutely right...donkey will remain a donkey no matter what...but now the horses should not become donkeys and try to become polo horses....and do some work...for a change...
