Raj seeks details of Muslim staff at health centres

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan government has sought details of Muslims staff at health centres across the state, leading to apprehension among the doctors from the minority community that they may be targeted because of their religion. The Centre has, however, termed the move as “not unusual” and said it “asks for such data periodically”.

A flutter was created after joint director (administration), Dr BL Saini, on November 30 issued a letter asking chief medical and health officers (CMHOS) of all districts to seek details of Muslim staff at sub centres, primary, and community health centres.

The letter said that the information has to be sent to the Government of India but did not specify why the details were being collected. The doctors have taken umbrage to the fact that information was being sought about health centre employees on the basis of their religion.

“The Muslim staff feels they are being targeted for their religion. They are scared,” said Dr Nasreen Bharti of All Rajasthan In-service Doctors Association (ARISDA). According to the letter, the CMHOS are required to send information about all groups of Muslim staff along with their place of posting to the health directorate in Jaipur.

HT has a copy of the letter. Saini told HT that his letter was in pursuance of another from the Union ministry of health and family welfare on November 20 sent to health secretaries of all states.

The Centre’s letter – Hindustan Times has a copy of this – says that information about Muslim emloyees was “needed for the implementation of recommendations made by the Sachar Committee for the welfare of the minority communities”. However, the letter sent out to districts doesn’t mention this.

“I have received the letter for details of Muslim personnel but I am unaware about the reason for this exercise,” said Churu CMHO Dr Manoj Sharma.

The doctors’ association said the exercise tantamount to religious profiling of government staff. “The government already has information about its staff. Why does it want to know their religion now?” asked Bharti.

The Union ministry of health and family welfare, however, sought to allay the fears of religious profiling.