Salman Khurshid is off the mark
Submitted by admin on 13 June 2009 - 8:55am
Dr. Mookhi Amir Ali,
The Minister for Minority Affairs Salman Khurshid is rather quick off the mark with great enthusiasm. He seems to be having a much thought out road map to Muslim empowerment and seems to know the pitfalls too.
In an interview to The Indian Express, Khurshid said it was time to explore “angles” other than reservation for the upliftment of Muslims and other minorities. He said it was his intention to roll out some “quick impact” schemes and fine-tune delivery of recommendations made by the Justice Rajinder Sachar committee.”
“You don’t want to try and please somebody and not get them the comfort of actually getting any relief. I think it is much better to get substantive relief, substantive opportunity rather than stick your mind only on one particular way of doing it.”
“If you can get them what they want by another method... what they want is opportunity, why should we just follow a standard line of reservation. There may be a better way. If there isn’t then, we will come back to discussing reservation. Let us look at other angles,” Khurshid said when asked about implementation of the Ranganath Misra committee.
On the subject of reservations he elaborates further:
“I don’t think we have clarity on reservation. There are expectations and demands for reservation of all kinds... I think what we need to do is look at affirmative action a little more seriously. Reservation is a double-edged sword for Muslims. Must not do anything that creates envy, hostility and resistance,” he said.
No doubt reservation is a double edged sword. Also any reservation on the basis of religion is of doubtful constitutionality. The opinion among even Muslim thinkers is divided on this issue. A noted educationist of Vadodara, Gujarat, D.r Juzar Bandukwala has this to say on the subject:
“Muslim reservation will harm the community far more than any benefits we may derive. As has been proved in the case of SC / ST, these benefits tend to be cornered by a small group. The diversity of Muslim mass is so vast, that the benefits will only flow to a select group, while hardly anything will percolate down to those who really need it. This itself will create a big divide within the Muslim community. Further non Muslims will resent this religious quota, but my opposition is more basic. Once a person avails of reservation, quality and merit are viewed as compromised..
No wonder SC or ST doctors cannot practise in private, whereas Muslim doctors can compete with non Muslim doctors, even in a communalised state like Gujarat. I want Muslim doctors or engineers or management experts to be the best in their field, and be viewed as so , even by non Muslims. That is the only way our community can raise itself from its current despondent state. Once reservation comes in, Muslims will be seen as having entered by the back door. Even our best will be stamped as such. That makes it impossible for the community to rise out of our backward state. We will be permanently backward. I do not want that to happen.
WE may get a few police constables and clerks in service. Our future lies only in quality education and business. The race for backwardness is harmful to us.”
Also asking for reservation or concessions on religious ground is tantamount to gnawing at the roots of secularism, which is best avoided.
Among the other angles Khurshid’s eye is on the proper utilization of ill-managed Muslim Wakf assets which run into [at one estimate] one lakh crores. The income from Ajmer dargah alone can give good education to every Muslim child in Rajasthan. An illustration of what a reasonably well-managed Trust can do is the Dargah of Khwaja Bande Nawaz which runs numerous educational institutions and medical facilities. Khurshid is right in thinking that the wakf properties if managed wisely can be a source of enormous amount available for community’s welfare and upliftment. There is already a Joint Parliamentary Committe working on it. Salman Khurshid intends to infuse some much needed dynamism in this JPC, which is working rather sluggishly.
The other project on which the Minister wants to go cracking is the Equal Opportunity Commission. On the very first meeting with the officials of the Ministry
the Minister has emphasized on early setting up the Commission. This is a long overdue step aimed at giving to the minorities equal opportunity and a level playing field. This will address the grievance among Muslims of being discriminated against. May be the Minister, in addition to being a good administrator, will have to do some social activism
So, if Salman Khurshid wants to consider “angles” other than reservations towards affirmative action for the minorities, he deserves Muslim community’s whole-hearted support. The fact that he is not considering reservation as the be all and end all of any affirmative action for Muslims has raised many hackles in the Muslim community. There are Muslim opinion-makers and Muslim bodies who consider reservations to be the panacea for the ills of the community. Among them there are some who have a notion that it was’ the Muslims’ vote which gave Congress such success in the last election and therefore they are entitled to a pound of flesh. Let the community not forget that Salman Khurshid has mentioned reservations as the last option. The clamour for reservation may be kept on hold.
When Sachar committee was instituted, The BJP had raised objections to its very formation. Such objection was justifiable because three such reports had been gathering dust in three Congress government’s shelves. Still the BJP is on record offering cooperation in implementing the just and fair recommendations in the Sachar Committee report, as long as they do not smell political motivation. Salman Khurshid is fortunate that his tenure will be the most propitious time because the BJP is expected to be most cooperative. The welfare measures which the BJP manifesto of 2009 has offered to minorities, especially Muslims, can put Congress to shame. Comparatively the Congress has not spared much thought and many words for Muslims in its manifesto. Even If Salman Khurshid does nothing but implement the BJP manifesto of 2009, he will have done an excellent job.
It will be presumptuous to remind the Minister that in a democracy the opposition deserves certain respect and consideration. A good government is the one who keeps the opposition in confidence. In the matter of upliftment of Muslims the BJP is committed to be pro-active. Salman Khurshid should have no hesitation in working with the opposition. Perhaps the “envy, hostility and resistance” which the Minister is anticipating are not there at all. Cautious enthusiasm, guarded steps within the law and the constitution, keeping the opposition in the loop will forestall many a roadblock.
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SALMAN KHURSHID IS NOT MUSLIM
SALMAN KHURSHID IS NOT MUSLIM OR TRUE BELIVER OF ISLAM, HE IS CHARMING SECULAR, DONT EXPECT ANYTHING FOR MUSLIM, HE CAN BE A GOOD ACTOR AS WE HAVE SEEN HIM IN UP ELECTION AND RESULTS ALSO GIVEN BY PUBLIC I.E TAMACHA SO CALLED MUSLIM LEADOR
To: Ranga Rao (and others
To: Ranga Rao (and others who should probably do their research before commenting):
I am interested in knowing on what basis you make the following claim 'His grand-father Dr. Zakir Husain couldnt do anyting for the Muslims - what will poor Salman do ?'
What exactly do you consider doing something for Muslims? I suppose this certainly wouldn't include rescuing young Muslim orphans during the Partition, or even reviving a renowned university (Jamia Millia Islamia, in case you are unaware - as I presume you are), which now has at least one department ranked as top at the national level in its field (Mass Comm). I am curious to know just what WOULD satisfy you in the 'doing anything for the Muslims' department?
Surat & Shopian
Those 3 men who raped a girl in Surat last week must be dealt with firmly and quickly. The 3 Army men who raped (AND LATER KILLED) 2 girls in Shopian J&K a fortnight ago, must also be dealt with equal firmness and with equal speed. Justice must be rendered simultaneously. There must be no “difference” in treatment as regards to the above 2 cases.
Jeetendra Parmar Surat jeet_par@yahoo.com
Jeetendra- how are sure it was Army in Shoupian?
Jeetendra- how are sure it was Army in Kashmir? In Surat the culprits have been caught and identified. But no such thing has happened in Kashmir- it is just an allegation by HURRIET and PDP. Immediately after the incident HURRIET and PDP promptly blocked the NH, which is 40 Km away from Shupian, there by interfering in the AMARNATH YATRA, which was to start om 7 June. The YATRA will now commence on 15 June if "Islamic Terrorists" HURRIET and PDP withdraws the agitation, which is most unlikely. The fact that HURRIET had demanded curtailment of YATRA and the ISI supported Terrorist are on HURRIET side, it could very well be possible that the "rape& murder" has been done by PAKI TERRORIST at the insistence of HURRIET to disrupt YATRA.
HURRIET and PDP disrupted the YATRA last year too on the issue of using 100 acres of forest land for three months period of YATRA. The land would have been used for constructing shelter for HINDU pilgrims so that they do not die due to sudden bad weather conditions like it happened few years back.
Salman must go into silent mode
Salman Khurshid is a gentleman, but not a politician. He should have opened another 100 branches of Delhi Public School. That would have been SOLID grass-roots work., but he wanted to add to his resume. Zakir Husain's grandson (nawasa., i.e. his daughter's son)., son of Khursheed Alam Khan (who got into politics courtesy his father-in-law Zakir Husain)... 30 yrs of service to Congress (I)... UP politician.. and to top it all., Woaw... A MUSLIM.. Item Number gaana daal diya picture mein (to add spice). I totally agree with other commentarators that instead of a token Muslim, there must be good HINDUS who must be made Ministers looking into the problems of Muslims.
Mallika Sarabhai, JM Lyngdoh (if he agrees to join politics), Teesta Setalvad (if she agrees i.e.), Soli Sorabjee (if he agrees)., Harsh Mandar (if he agrees)., these sort of people. A muslim must never be made a minister just for the sake of tokenism. Merit & Effectiveness are the criterea.
But Congress has another way of looking at things. This started immediately after 1947., when Maulana Azad's opinion was considered regarding Indian Muslims. Indian Muslims are NO different from other Indians. They have similar problems too. No water in the tap., no roads., no sanitation, no schools, no hospitals, no bus route. This has to be done...
Sachar Report is on the table. Read it., and let a GOOD HINDU., take the bull by its horns and ride it. A token Muslim will be an utter failure. By the by, Salman likes to be on TV. That will be his un-doing. He must not appear on TV, or give interviews., or write an article for a full 5 yrs. He must go under-ground and do silent work. He must emulate DMK Ministers. Though he is a gentleman and the fact that he is not corrupt., the fact is., he is a poor leader. He will not be able to do ANYTHING on the ground. Except a few speeches... .a verse of Urdu thrown in (for effect)... .. chatpati baaten.. in english and urdu... and thats it.
Will the UPA now investigate demolition of Dargah of Vadodara on
The Gujarat was coming normal after 2002 post Godhra riots. Muslims were having faith in Modiji. In 2005 elections of Panchayats / Municipalities and / Municipal Corporations elections of Gujarat the Modiji's BJP got majority even in Muslim dominated areas. Muslims also voted for BJP in these elections.
But on 01.05.2006 Mr. Sunil Solanki a Mayor of BJP Vadodara demolished the Dargah resuting the vide spread riots and killing 6 persons.
Will the UPA Government now investigate the demolition of Dargah despite the oppostion of Municipal Commissioner / Police Commissioner and several NGOs of Vadodara particularly the PUCL parivar of Vadodara.
After demolition of Dargah on 1.5.2006 there were serial Bomb blasts on July 11 2006 in Mumbai Subarb Trains targeting the Gujaratis killing 209 people. Sebsequent bomb blasts in different part of India.
Will the UPA Govt. now investigate this and punish the guilty those spreading hatred among Muslims and Hindus in Vadodara, a most communually sensitive city of Gujarat (INDIA)
Why should the guilty go scot free?
OVER REACTION?
Learned Folks-
When will in the World Muslim learn to debate with civility? Why do we used loaded words when dealing with opposing points of views? What does Islam has to say on this?
Please remember the Prophet (PBUH) was not only a warrior, a General, but a loving father, a great friend and a diplomat too.
Any disagreements there?
Salman can't be a muslim but a secular
How come he think abt muslims when his wife is christian,his sister is married to a hindu and they all live in jamia nagar of new delhi.Can anyone show me one good work done by this family?????
your response
Assalamalaikum,
I saw your message and was wondering A) Why are you anonymous? Why are you not out in the open? Are you afraid of something? and B) what do you know about Salman Khurshid's family (sisters married to Hindus etc).
I guess my basic question is, who are you and why are you qualified to make a comment on Salman Khurshid's family?
I am Salman's niece (his sister's daughter) and have family members that you are commenting on. Before I reply, I would like to know who you are and what you base your comments on.
Regards
Yasmin
Secularism Islamic Style- look for Islam in everything
If Mr Salman Khurshid can NOT look after Muslim interest, what should be the plight of Hindus.
- Sonia Gandhi, the super PM, Rahul and Priyanka are Christians.
- The PM is a Sikh, who has openly declared that the first right on the resources of
the nation belong to Muslims.
- The defence minister is AK Antony a Christian
- Mr Vayalar Ravi is married to a Christian
- Mr Shashi Taroor is married to a Christian
- Mr Thomas, Mr Vincent, Ms Sangma are all Christians.
So it is time Muslims stop blaming everyone else for the ills of Islamic society which has out lived it's usefulness after 1400 years being propounded. The Muslims must get out the "insistence on adhering to QUR'AN and HADITHS" to become a progressive society . The QUR'AN has been violated with total disregard even by the closest followers of MUHAMMAD, within 25 years of he death of MUHAMMAD, as given below.
In QUR'AN, Muhammad explicitly prohibited killing of Muslims by Muslims. Surah4/92 states- "NEVER SHOULD A BELIEVER KILL A BILIEVER" and Surah 4/93 explicitly states that "IF A MAN KILLS A BELIEVER INTENTIONALLY HIS RECOMPENSE IS HELL". But in 656AD, Ayisha, wife of Muhammad, did NOT hesitate to raise an army and fight with Ali's army outside the city of Basra. It was during this engagement that Muslim slaughtered Muslim for the first time. Aisha's forces were defeated. Aisha was directing her forces sitting on a camel and so it is called the Battle of the Camel.
So when the closest followers of MUHAMMAD, Ayisha and Ali violated the QUR'AN with in 25 years of the death of MUHAMMAD, with such total disdain for it, why should ordinary Muslims insist on following QUR'AN and HADITHS so adherently???? MUSLIMS MUST GET OUT OF THE 1400 YEAR OLD MINDSET, IF THEY WANT TO PROGRESS.
Personal Right
It is their personal right to adopt their religion and it is absolutely their right to choose their spouses.
Your comment is against the Indian Constitutional Fundamental Rights.
Well salmans family produced
Well salmans family produced lot of muslim posterboys for congress. for showcasing virtual muslim presence in secular congress ministry. What more as a indian muslim do u expect from congress!! U r not killed in the riot u shud be thankful to congress!!!
reservation
Reservations only will make the situation worse for Muslims (as well as anybody who gets reservation).
There should be garss roots movement, where Muslim community take interest in educating its girls and boys, ..Now it is all madrasa where the only thing taught is Arabic and Koran.. One wonders why anybody should learn Arabic in India...
Muslims should stop looking at government programs as solutions. Only grounds-up community involved educatioanlly committed activities can uplift them.
Look at Christians in kerala (and elsewhere in India). They do not harp on saying they are a minority and they want this and they want that. They are educatioanlly so advanced, that they occupy top administrative, professional, and business leadership positions in significantly higher than their population percentage. Nobody is upset about this; in fact people are congratulatory about this.
Muslims can advance only if they discard the constant "balkanization" idea, separate ISlam strictly as a personal belief and nothing more -- many muslims are confused because of what the mullas and madrasas teach them - they believe in Ulama at the risk of belonging to a parliamentary democracy, start finding faults in everything (yes, there are lots of faults, world is not fair). Individual responsibility and commitment supported by community and local organizations, preferably in an integrated setup (like Christians have done) are the only solutions. Otherwise, Muslims can eb on reservation for another 60 years and situation will be same.
Salman is a powerless showboy. Dont expect anything.
Salman Khursheed is a wastrel. He will NOT do anything positive for the minorities. He is trying to win over the RSS-Hindu votebank., trying to please them. He will fail in that. His grand-father Dr. Zakir Husain couldnt do anyting for the Muslims - what will poor Salman do ? His presence is just symbolic. No content or volume there. Just a presence and a tokenism. Thats all. Narasimha Rao had said in 1992 : "he knew the character of Muslim leadership"... no one resigned after Babri Masjid demolition.. except M.J. Akbar ! So the other party knows the reality and the weaknesses of the Muslim leadership well. They are poor men who cant think beyond self-interest. They are gutless and are always "afraid" of BJP/RSS and the high command.
Salman Khursheed is useless for Minority(ies).
I dont expect anything from Salman Khursheed. He is just a show-boy. I would have preferred if Ms. Mallika Sarabhai or Mr. Harsh Mandar had been the Minister for Minority Affairs. The perception that only a Muslim can resolve problems associated with Muslims is cardinally wrong and flawed. We need good people - thats the bottomline. People who dont talk (empty vessels) but do solid work silently. Congress will (can) not do anything for fear of a Hindu backlash (fear that RSS will unleash communal riots thru-out India). The message of reservations for muslims must be taken to the hearts and minds of hindus. The congress cannot take up this challenge., this intellectual challenge. Who is there on behalf of congress to explain the case to the nation ? There is not one bi-lingual speaker who can articulate the case. A very sorry state of affairs, indeed. Its cuz of this Congress Party that the hate-canteen of BJP/RSS/Abhinav Bharat is thriving and booming !!!
Muslim Tied to a Political Party Toe the Party Line
Even good Muslims with sufficient Taqwa can practically do nothing much openly and daringly to the Muslim minorities of India if they are affiliated to a particular political party, because they have been directed to toe the Party line or get out.
It does not matter whether they are with Congress, BJP or Communist, JD, DMK, or any other party.
If good leaders are really willing to serve the Ummah let them throw away their present political offices and say good bye to politics and concentrate on the educational and economic empowerment of Muslim of India.
Once we achieve this politicians will come after us begging.
De-polarisation in politics has done Muslims a lot of harm, because every political party follows either soft or hard Hindutwa policies to appease the majority.
The so called appeasement of minority as BJP claims is total bunkum.
It is a very big lie to cover up the truth and deceive the ignorant.
OR some of the real Muslim heavy weights ( Ministers, MPs, MLAs)in politics should leave their present political parties and form a huge united Muslim political party in India. Mot probably, then we may command some respect.
SALMAN : Low profile pl. Do silent work
BJP will never co-operate. It is a negative force. It is a disruptive force. It stands on the foundation of "hatred" for the other to justify its existence. The "other" in this case is Indian Muslims. Salman Khurshid must go completely low-profile and silent. He must learn from the DMK Group of Ministers., who dont open their mouths for full 5 yrs., and do their work silently.
If Salman Khurshid is in the news, he is doomed. He will not be able to appoint even 1 peon ! Instead of Salman Khursheed, i would have preferred Harsh Mandar or Mallika Sarabhai as the Minister... but then... Indian politics doesnt work that way ! Symbolism and tokenism are key. (Salman is a gr8 person, but he must not be in the news for full 5 yrs. if he craves attention, he is doomed. i repeat).
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