New Delhi, 1 September, 2007: Shri S. Shahabuddin, President AIMMM and Convener JCMOE has issued the following statement;

‘The ‘Follow-up Action’ Statement in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of Minority Affairs, repeats word for word what he said in his reply to Nirmala Deshpande’s question in the Rajya Sabha on 13 August. In many ways both leave the case of Muslim uplift more or less as it was in May 2007, when the Cabinet considered the Sachar Report. What is tragic is that there has been no progress in real terms since the Sachar Report was submitted in November, 2006.

It is, difficult to appreciate the real object and purpose of the Statement. It is nothing less than a cover-up for the refusal of the Government, whatever its real reasons, to do any thing concrete for the uplift of the Muslim Community in a time-bound manner. While the Government knows that the Muslims constitute a Backward Class on par with SC/ST, it lacks the political will to take the logical step of extending reservation to them, in accordance with the Constitution, the judgment of the Supreme Court and the legal opinion, in any field whether public employment or education or benefit of local development or flow of bank credit in proportion to their population at the operational level, with a sub-quota within an enlarged OBC quota. The Government also shirks from formulating a Sub-Plan on the pattern of the Sub-Plans for SC/ST.

It is, difficult to appreciate the real object and purpose of the Statement. It is nothing less than a cover-up for the refusal of the Government, whatever its real reasons, to do any thing concrete for the uplift of the Muslim Community in a time-bound manner. While the Government knows that the Muslims constitute a Backward Class on par with SC/ST, it lacks the political will to take the logical step of extending reservation to them, in accordance with the Constitution, the judgment of the Supreme Court and the legal opinion, in any field whether public employment or education or benefit of local development or flow of bank credit in proportion to their population at the operational level, with a sub-quota within an enlarged OBC quota. The Government also shirks from formulating a Sub-Plan on the pattern of the Sub-Plans for SC/ST.

This lack of will is also evident from the fact that although two months have elapsed since the Mishra Commission submitted its report, the Government has not even tabled it in the Parliament or made it public. In a sense, the Sachar Report has been overtaken by the Mishra Report and there can be no rational or comprehensive discussion on Muslim backwardness while the later report lies in cold storage.

Even in fields in which decisions have been taken like provision for scholarship and special coaching scheme or physical and economic development of in selected districts and towns, no funds have been allocated and no implementation agency has been named, or a proper procedure prescribed for expeditious implementation. Much still remains to be decided.

The projects and schemes for districts, towns and cities are yet to be formulated. The are being worked out by an Inter-ministerial Task Force.

Comprehensive programme, for skill and enterprenial development and the matching access to credit is also under consideration by an Inter ministerial Group.

For opening of schools, for literacy drives, for training of teachers, for provision of hostels and for linking Madrasa certificates with higher education, details are yet to be worked out.

Sensitization of government employees to importance of diversity and social inclusion for providing incentives on the basis of social index to educational institutions, work places and living spaces has been left to an Expert Group to explore.

Removal of anomalies in representation of Muslims in legislatures is again left to a High Level Committee.

The establishment of Equal Opportunity Commission is yet to be considered by an expert group.

The National Data Bank and the Assessment and Monitoring Agency lie in the bosom of time.

Most of the above suggestions of the Sachar Committee have a long term perspective and have no immediate relevance. What the community needs all over the country, not only in some selected districts or towns, which together cover only 30% of its population, but in all is mohallas and bastis, to begin with, are facilities for primary education and vocational training, primary health centres, paved lanes and drainage, due share in low cost housing, employment opportunities, seed money for mini enterprises due representation in Panchayat Raj Institutions, state legislatures and in Parliament.

Instead of making concrete improvements; the government is only trying to impress the Muslim Community of its sincerity and concern for their well-being. This Statement in the Lok Sabha is thus another card played in the continuing game of political deception.

One does not know when the next election will take place, but even if the Parliament completes its 5 years, with this vagueness, slow motion and lack of will the Community is not likely to see any improvement in its lot. Therefore, the Statement should not deceive the Muslims, raise their hopes, or generate support for the government or improve its appeal or credibility in its eyes.

The Muslim Community should learn from its past experience; the debacle of 15 Point Programme and Gopal Singh Report and remember that without sustained and united political action it will never receive its legitimate due in any sphere-governance education or economy.’

Sd/ Syed Shahabuddin

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Authorized for Publication:

New Delhi, (Abdul Waheed)

1 september, 2007 Office Secretary