Deplorable Conditions of Muslims in India
By Mamoona Kazmi • Dec 29th, 2009 • Category: Politics • 38 CommentsIndia is vigorously pursuing to obtain observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) on the basis of large Muslim population. Recently, Forum on Religion and Public life of Pew Research Center, a US based organization, has prepared a report according to which India has the third largest number of Muslims at over 160 million. This Muslim community in India is living as minority. The question that whether India is eligible to have an observer status in OIC depends not only on the number of Muslims but also their status. Although the number of Muslims living in India are far greater than some Muslim countries but their plight is worst than the minority communities living in these Muslim countries.
The Indian Muslims inherited the legacy of social injustice from the British and this trait continued even after independence. A Minorities Commission was set up as late as in 1978 to evaluate the minorities’ status in India by a non-Congress government. After coming into power in 1980 Congress government side lined this Commission and appointed a separate ‘ high powered panel’, which eventually came to be known as Gopal Singh Committee. The purpose of this committee was to study the status of minorities and other backward classes as beneficiaries of government’s fiscal policies and welfare schemes. On 14th June 1983, this panel submitted a 118-page ‘Report on Minorities’ containing extensive data on the participation and performance of minorities in education and employment. Painting a dismal picture of the position of Muslims, the panel made a large number of recommendations for its improvement through various short term and long term measures. For an unduly long period this report remained a closely guarded secret despite demands for its release. And when this report was made public even then no action was ever taken on any of its recommendations.
In 1995 the National Minorities Commission collected data on the share of minorities in police and para-military services and, found that their presence, especially of the Muslims, in that sector was “deplorably disproportionate to their population in various states”. The Commission submitted its report on 6 May 1996 and highlighted that the representation of Muslims in the State and all-India services was very low as compared to their population and there were no purposeful action to remedy this imbalance. In its 1998-99 report the Commission specifically recommended that “in all public employment under central government there must be at least 10 per cent representation of Muslims and this should be ensured by adopting suitable measures. Both these reports of National Minorities Commission had met same fate as that of the Gopal Singh Panel and still awaiting appropriate response from those who matter.
In March 2005 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appointed another high powered committee, generally known as the Sachar Committee, chaired by a former judge Rajinder Sacher, to evaluate afresh the educational and socio-economic status of Muslims. When the committee sought data on the Muslims in armed forces the anti-Muslim elements raise a great hue and cry. Initially given a time span of fifteen months, the Sachar committee was later given some extensions and placed under the newly created Ministry of Minority Affairs.
The Sachar Committee prepared its report in November 2006 and presented it to the parliament on 30 November 2006. The report highlighted miserable socio-economic conditions of Muslims in the fields of education, employment, access to credit, infrastructural facilities and political representation and made a strong case for improving the socio-economic situation of Muslims. The data gathered by Sachar Committee shows that Muslims now constitute India’s ‘new underclass’. In some respects such as public services, education, income, social mobility and landholding, Muslims’ position is even worse than Dalits (Officially called Scheduled Castes). For instance only 80 percent of urban Muslim boys are enrolled in schools, as compared to 90 percent of Dalits and 95 percent of others.
Mostly, Muslims live in areas deprived of basic necessities such as electricity, roads and municipal services. In some states such as Maharashtra banks denied loans to Muslim businessmen. Muslims face worse discrimination in respect of jobs. The Sachar Committee data from 12 states where Muslim share in total population is 15.4 percent shows that their representation in government jobs is only 5.7 percent. In police, administrative and diplomatic services their representation varies from 1.6 to 3.4 percent. Muslims are poorly represented in judiciary and military. From the beginning the Muslims are under-represented in the armed forces. The Indian leaders also accepted this fact. Nehru said in 1953 that in our defence services, there are hardly any Muslims left. The Muslims are totally absent from intelligence agencies such as Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and National Security Guard (NSG) as they are mistrusted.
The prejudice towards Muslims is also reflected at political level. Muslims have consistently been under-represented in the Lok Sabha and all State Assemblies since independence. In India, only half as many, or fewer, Muslims get elected as legislator as their population share. Ironically, there is one place where Muslims are over-represented that is in prisons. Rajiv Bhargava, a political theorist attached to the Centre for Study of Developing Societies in Delhi said, “The pain, bitter truth is that Muslims’ have long been the target of systematic exclusion and discrimination. They face institutionalized religious prejudice, just as ethnic minorities from the former colonies face institutionalize racism in Western Europe, or blacks do in the United States”.
The Government of India has failed to implement the recommendations of Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee Report even after the passage of three years since the submission of the report. It is trying to delay its implementation like the earlier reports. The recommendation for the creation of ‘Equal Opportunity Commission’ is a technique in this regard, to delay the implementation. As it is widely said that an Equal Opportunity Commission is to be set up to look into the recommendations of the Sachar Report and check the feasibility of its implementation. The Central and the State governments have been only making statements and assuring the community to implement report’s recommendations but no solid step has been taken so far. The need is to take concrete action rather than making mere statements in this regard. Giving due respect to the feelings of Muslim community, the government must implement the Sachar Committee recommendations forthwith. Muslims are troubled with the hollow promises from the government on the one hand and the Hindu communal forces challenges on the other.
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“Deplorable Conditions of Muslims in India”
What are you talking about? Muslims are more deplorable in Pakistan than in India. Many more Muslims get killed everyday in Pakistan than in India…only yesterday over 40 died. Come out of your blinkered mentality.
Douse the fire raging in your house, sweetheart. Let us be.
Or take up the case of “muslim brotherhood” all over the planet - including in Xinjiang, Central Asian Republics, Bosnia, Palestine, Indonesia, Malaysia…… Have the guts?
LOL
One more example of Pakistani Evil Propaganda is this article.
Just check this video how an Indian Muslim gave a befitting reply to Musharraff. See how Musharraff was stunned!
Search YouTube for “Indian Muslim and Musharraff”
The link for the video is here…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP9JCusfje0
dear author
i am sorry i do not completely agree with you, umair is right, even if conditions of muslims is bad in India, we need to stop looking at it with a hate yardstick.
we continue to point out the failings of the enemy so we can enjoy a momentary feeling of superiority. Muslims in India might be in bad conditions, but the low income groups of Pakistan are in deplorable conditions.
the quicker we realise that it is not about comparing, the further we can progess.
I am a Muslim and Pakistani. Yes after what happened in Gujrat, babri masjid incident, golden temple incident, continuous communal tensions, killing and conversion of christians etc, one can say that the minorities in India may be vunerable. But we as Pakistani muslims who made our separate country are also responsible for it. We and almost all Indians dont realize that by making Pakistan we gave hindus a BIG favour in the long run and made lives of indian muslims like hell. Now please listen carefully what I have to say because it may seem very unconventional thinking but if you technically and impartially analyze this it will make sense.
Now consider if Pakistan wasnt made (which means Bangladesh wasnt made as well) then the population of India would have been 1.4 billion( one billion current indian population + forty crore Pakistani and bangladeshi muslims). Which means 60 CRORE population of India would have been MUSLIM.(Including 20 crore current muslim population of India). So out 80 crore remaining population 70 crore would have been hindus and rest of 10 crores are other minorities(Sikhs,christians,budhists,parsis etc).
Now it we exclude lower cast hindus from 70 crore hindus who are themselves a minority then MUSLIMS WOULD HAVE NUMERICAL SUPERIORITY OVER MAIN STREAM HINDUS.That means Hindus of india have lost the political and stretigical edge which they enjoy today. Back in 1947 25 to 30 percent of sub-continent population was muslim. Now the muslim population of subcontinent(india,pakistan,bangladesh) is 40+ percent. There is an surprising increase of about 10 percent. Which means the birth rate among muslims is very high in comparison with hindu birth rate. So I mean if Pakistan wasnt made then in the next 50 years this GREATER INDIA would have been more or less an Islamic state. Now the Indians who think bad about Jinnah should have a re-assessment of their views and ask themselves a questions that by making pakistan who benefitted most Hindus or Muslims? and pakistan would have been made would india of today would have been an emerging power or a country engulfed in civil wars? also if pakistan would have not been made which party would have been the biggest oposition party BJP or Muslim league? Could Babery Masjid could have been demolished if there were 60 crore muslims in India? What have millions of Baluchis,Pathans,Punjabis each carrying an ak47 would have done to Delhi,Agra,Mumbai in return of what hindus did in gujrat? And most importantly if Paksitan would have never been made Jihadis could have never defeated russians in afghanistan which means we would have still living in cold war with russian navy patroling persian gulf and had trade passages through friendly indian ports. The western world and indian Hindus owe too much to Pakistan all we get in return are two words not well done but ‘do more’.
I have already seen the video which you posted. The muslim maulana is a POLITICIAN in this video and also a member of parliament. So he has to keep such views if he want to stay in Parliament of
a Hindu dominant country. I am sure he must have got another party ticket for next election for such ‘heroic’ speech.
@Nazia:
How many politicians do you see resign in Pakistan for all sort of corruption; moral, constitution and financial? That says it all. In India resignation of one person is deterrence for the next person in line and this way things will eventually get better, unlike Pakistan where no one resigns ever unless told to do so by the next army dictator.
“Deplorable Conditions of Muslims in India”
I think he posted this blog to divert people’s attention away from the yesterday’s incident. I hate it when after all this, you sill have guts to post this stupid hateful article. Why are you so much concerned about India, when they themselves don’t like us meddling into their affairs?
Yes things are happening in Pakistan, you wana know why its happening in Pakistan the sole and only reason that we alligned ourselves with world against terrorism, our cities are burning so that other cities could be saved. I think this sacrifice is an act of heroism on behalf of Pakistan, what happened yesterday only increased our sacrifice which we are making for world and historians will recognise this, otherwise we could easily sideline ourselves and let the world burn including India. If we say that ok thats enough we are out of this war then I can assure you that Pakistan will be the most peaceful country in the world in an unpeaceful world. I think we deserve some appreciation for fighting world’s war not criticism.
@reply to MOZ
“If we say that ok thats enough we are out of this war then I can assure you that Pakistan will be the most peaceful country in the world in an unpeaceful world. I think we deserve some appreciation for fighting world’s war not criticism.”
Just like the way it was before we joined. If I can remeber correctly, the Pakistan back then wasn’t much different then what it is today. I think going after these extremist will definitely rid us off this terrorism.
Article is based on facts,Indians do not be panic and try to rectify these problems.Secondly,there is comment that innocent people are being killed in Pakistan as compared to indian Muslims,then i must say everyone clearly knows who is involved such kind of terrorist activities,who is providing arms,fund etc,so make your angles at right direction rather than advising us.
Hindus in India are not willing to give Muslim their share in education,employment,credit facilities because they fear that if we give them share ,Muslims have talent and they will progress more than us and rule Indai like Mughal emperor.You have clear example Khans ruling yours film industry
@9
When I say that we Pakistani have proper leadership,Our artificial leaders are directly planted on our soil either from military backup or through their illegitimate ways taking consent of US people.
Have you seen our ex PM shuakat aziz or president musharf living near to Pakistan after their longest rules.
Did any body watch zardari roaming in streets of Pakistan before elections for last many years.
Where were rehman malik, shaukat aziz, hussain haqqani like people were living who are actually now running very crucial matters of Pakistan.
Altaf hussian is playing with the fate of Karachi all in all for last many years while living in Karachi for last 19 years.
Militarism is through out dominant in our political frame work but you people are flag bearer of one of biggest democracy of the world.
but while handling Pakistan you take such an immature and out of track political deals with military govts that only affected the common people of Pakistan.
Before cursing Pakistan first you should blame to US that is all time putting fuel into fire by supplying arms to both side of border.
Your coward leadership is afraid of consequences after seeing the hostile attitude of US towards Iran and Paksitan so sometime also behave like touts of US in the region without considering the real magnanimity of India in the region.
I cant differentiate what part of your post is the letter written to UN secy General in 1951 and which part is your personal deliberation.(east paksitan crisis in 1951???????????).
Anyways following are the points in answer of your post.
1. Hundreds of thousand of Indians live in ghettos in London such as southall. Many britishers live in their own ghettos in spain. Bengalies live in a ghetto in London called Brick lane, Pakistanies also have a ghetto called green street. Hindu communities in Pakistan also have their ghettos in interior sindh province. You will understand GHETTO METALITY if you live as a minority in any country.
2. Pakistanis can also present any Pakistani Hindu such as designer Deepak Pervani who will talk about his patriotism for Pakistan and I would respect that. About bin laden T shirt argument well you can try to wear a shirt which would say I love Hitler who killed 6 million jews+millions more in india, I am sure nothing would happen to you, but if you do so in europe you are going to prison for anti-semitism. Every country have different sensitivities.
3. About Kashmir, well the reality is if there was no Kashmir issue something else could have been the excuse for India-Pakistan conflict. This conflict has its roots in centuries of dis-content between hindus and muslims.
4. About killing brethern east Pakistanies, well ok we made a blunder and if I was Pakistani leader I would aplogize to bengalies.(not-mentioning equally brutal treatment of biharies and other non-bengalies by mukti bahini). But Indians please tell me that if you had so much sympathy for bengalies that you went to war for them then tell me why bengali immigrant are living like animals in your streets. Why there is cross border firing incidents on India-Bengladesh border. I have met with dozens of young bengalies and nearly all said that making of bengladesh was a mistake and we have been MAGINALIZED by India and markets are full of cheap quality Indian products. Some even said that Mujibur Rehman lied to them by telling them if they get rid of west-pakistan they would become another Hong Kong, taiwan or singapore.
5. Today a sikh man is PM of India. So a man who represent a 2 to 5 percent of indian population is made PM. However India is yet to see a elected muslim PM who would have represented 15 to 20 persent of Indian population.
6. Well i do agree with indian muslims that Islam had nothing to do with creation of Pakistan. Pakistan was made by Jinnah who only once seen praying and could not even speak Urdu. And if you had read my earlier post I have said that making of Pakistan only served Hindus in India and the west.Jinnah’s religious views are still a mystery. According to Justice Javed Iqbal (son of allama Iqbal Jinnah was an agha khani or an Ismaili who although claim to be muslims but have believes contrary to main stream Islam). I believe that if Pakistan wasnt made then Bengladesh wasnt made as well as a result Muslims in India would have never been a minority. The ratio of hindu muslim population would have been nearly 50/50. Which means end to Hindu dominance of the region. Pakistan was created be western seculars similarly jewish state of israel was result of zionism which is a secular or even atheist ideology.
7.Now finally about jehad. Modern jehadi movements have its roots in Egypt. Ikhwanul Muslimun which was the first post first world war non-state jihadi orgainization which was made in egypt. The first suicide attack in Pakistan took place in 1995 by egyptians on egyptian embassy. These elements were shifted from middle-east to Pakistan in 1980s by CIA to fight russians. For some reasons CIA never wanted these elements to go back to middle-east so they made sure that they remain in afghanistan until 9/11, when they were forced act against them. jehad in kashmir is a result of jehadi success in afghanistan. So if you want to blame somebody blame US who brought jehadis to close proximity to India. Before 90s jehad would meant in pakistan as an action by official army in defence of country. private jehadi contractors before that had no place.
8.Finally I would say that the letter was written by ‘priviledged’ class of indian muslims who had some stake in Indian society. If you could produce such a letter written by victims of gujrat then I am will be much influenced.
Indian muslims,if they feel as bad as some pakistanis feel, are most welcome to leave India. Most of hindus in Pakistan did the same as they felt they could not live in Pakistan peacefully. So today pakistan have negligible hindu and christian population.
Pot should not call a kettle black.
NaeemKhan.
if muslims had that much talent,how come muslims are the lowest in education.in London.They are the poorest and most illiterate. You muslims are obsessed with religion . There are at least one dozen free islamic channels on the sky which is blaring the advantage of deen education and they have nothing but contempt for secular education. You cannot accuse the british of discrimination. Look man,grow up.Take some responsibility for your mishaps.
Some pakistanis are accusing indians of terrorism in baluchistan.I am not sure if that is true.But if it is,so be it.You people are terrorising Indians for the last sixty years.You are the mother of all terrorism. So please,next time you open your mouth,think.
reply to MOZ on December 30th, 2009 :
you sound very patronising,as if you are doing the world a big fever.
America would bomb you in the stone age if you do not do as they say.You are living on their charity.So calm down boy.
Pakistan is a dark age country, and in no position to blame anyone else.
1. If west move out of afghanistan and Iraq and India move out of muslim majority Kashmir, Indiam muslims will leave India. Happy Now. And christian and hindus didnt move out of Pakistan they have same percentage of population which they had in 1947. See internationally recognized statistics.Yes some minorities claim discrimination and hence get asylum in UK, if you know what I mean.
2. Every muslim I know in London is atleast a uni graduate. I dont know which muslims you are talking about. Go to any London Uni you will find every second or third student is a muslim.
3. US would bomb Pakistan into stone age if Pakistan wont comply??? Gone are those days mate, US and the rest of west couldnt bomb taliban into their caves for good.lollzzz. I think US superpower status is shattered after some rag tag militia men poorly armed, poorly trained, poorly disciplined kept their military might engaged for 8 years. US wont gona bomb any country into stone-age as its the stoneage men who they fear the most. You know it happened because US started this war not to apprehend terrorists of 9/11 but to restore its powerful image. Ego is something which puts a nation towards downfall.
I think your hate filled brain is in dark age, get it has been ‘illuninated’ too much, i think you are aware enough to know what ‘illumination’ stands for if not then dont ever send a post in any blog.