Raje must be clear on this
Muslim workers’ details should be used to push Sachar report
The Rajasthan government has sought details of Muslims working in health centres, leading to fears that this may be a way of targeting them. The move comes at a time when there has been disquiet over the killing of a Muslim labourer by a man who had the act recorded by his nephew. Though the murderer has been arrested, the fact that he was emboldened to publicise his crime has created anxiety among Muslim. The Rajasthan government says it is seeking such information in order to comply with the Centre’s directive on the implementation of the recommendations of the Sachar committee on the welfare of minorities. The state government, whose record with regards to minorities go is less than exemplary, must conduct the exercise in a transparent manner. Only that will allay the fears of Muslims and persuade them that there is no ulterior motive behind the move.
It is true that the Centre seeks such data from time to time and that the Committee’s findings paint a dismal picture when it comes to development indicators for Muslims. As of 2016, 43% of Muslims are illiterate; they have the least representation among minorities in government jobs; and the private sector and loan facilities are less easily available to them. This financial exclusion has had a negative effect on their educational and economic development.
The fact that is has been hanging fire for so long gave those with vested interests the opportunity to rebrand many programmes meant for Muslims and make them applicable to all minorities. This meant that minorities which are much more advanced than the Muslims were also able to avail of schemes under the Sachar Committee proposals.there was a massive awareness programme suggested by the Sachar Committee to push literacy among Muslims, especially girls. But that, too, has been put on the backburner. The Rajasthan exercise of ascertaining the details of Muslims at health centres may not be driven by any sinister motive. But it could well be evidence of the lip service that is paid from time to time to the Sachar report. That, in itself, is unfortunate and counterproductive.