Women’s Reservation Bill: What it means for Muslim representation?
Submitted by admin3 on 10 March 2010 - 8:42pm
By Md. Mudassir Alam for TwoCircles.net,
March 9, 2010 is seen as a red letter in the history of democratic India as the long waited Women’s Reservation Bill (WRB) was passed in the Rajya Sabha by a majority of 186 to 1. Some see the bill as a rising sun for the women of country, while some say women got their right in the political set up. From here on the Women’s Reservation Bill will be presented in the Lok Sabha for approval. Most probably the bill will be passed in Lok Sabha and further tabled in 14 state assemblies. Finally the President of India will put stamps on Women’ Reservation Bill as the new law of the political setup of the country. After the approval from the President of India women will get 33 per cent reservation in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
History of the bill
The story of WRB began on September 12, 1996 when Ramakant D Khalap the then Law Minister during the Deve Gowda government introduced the Women's Reservation Bill (81st Constitutional Amendment Bill) that sought 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. However, the very next day on September 13, 1996 only 230 Lok Sabha MPs showed up in the Parliament that was short of the magical number 273 required to approve a constitutional amendment. On December 9, 1996 a joint Parliamentary Committee chaired by Geeta Mukherjee, presented its report on the Women's Reservation Bill to the Lok Sabha.
The matter of women’s reservation remained quiet for almost one and half years and was re-introduced in 1998 during Atal Bihari Vajpayee led NDA government through the 84th Constitutional Amendment Bill. In the year 1999 the NDA government re-introduced the Women’s Reservation Bill in the 13th Lok Sabha, and again in 2002 and 2003. An all-party meeting was called by the NDA in March 2003 and BJP spokesperson Vijay Malhotra told that his party wants the Bill passed in this session itself, with or without consensus. But the Bill could not be passed during NDA government and it became the part of Congress led UPA government’s Common Minimum Programme (CMP) in 2004. Meanwhile, in 2005 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced its full support for the Women’s Reservation Bill.
Muslim girls in a political rally in West Bengal [TCN photo]
The UPA government tabled the bill the Rajya Sabha in 2008 with the intention to continue the legislation without any lapse. In December 2009 the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice, and Personnel recommended the passage of the Bill. The Union Cabinet cleared the Women Reservation’s Bill on February 25, 2010 that was tabled in the Rajya Sabha on March 8, 2010, especially on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
However, the poor floor management of the Congress led UPA government and its lack of communication with the opposition parties led the MPs of RJD and SP MPs disrupt tabling the Bill in the Rajya Sabha. In fact, the MPs crossed all the limits and put the Parliament and democracy to shame when they tore the Women’s Reservation Bill and attacked Hamid Ansari, the Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. On March 9, 2010 government tabled the Bill again in the Rajya Sabha that was put into vote by the chairman.
What the Bill means
Since its introduction in 1996, Women’s Reservation Bill has been a debated topic and it had got mixed responses both in the forms of appreciation and criticism from various sects. As per the Bill the women will get 181 of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha and 1,370 out of a total of 4,109 seats in the 28 State Assemblies. Of course, the Bill has been passed with the aim to empower the women of the country who didn’t actively participate in the active politics or fail to win elections because of male dominancy. But on a broad spectrum the features of Women’s Reservation Bill has totally neglected the minorities especially Muslims, OBCs and Dalits of the country. Quite interestingly as well as surprisingly the Bill seeks 41 seats reserved for Schedule Caste (SC) and Schedule Tribes (ST) around 22 per cent of the total Lok Sabha seats.
Fact is that, the Bill clearly shows the negligence approach of the two major parties - namely the Congress Party and BJP towards Muslims the second biggest population of the country. At one side these parties always make tall claims that they wish the involvement of all religious sects of the country in all fields including politics, but when talked about the reservation of Muslims a step-motherly attitude is shown. Not only the political parties, the Apex Court as well as high courts had struck down the demand or provision for Muslim reservation many times in the past including recently in Andhra Pradesh where the state government has provided some reservation to Muslims.
Muslim representation
Despite having a population of around 16 per cent, Muslims have only 5.52% representation in the Parliament. Currently there are 29 Muslim MPs in the country that include a maximum of 11 MPs from Congress Party. In the 15th Lok Sabha among 59 women Lok Sabha members only three are Muslim MPs (approx 5 per cent only), namely Mausam Noor (from Malda Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal on Congress ticket), Tabassum Begum (from Kairana Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh on Bahujan Samaj Party ticket) and Kaisar Jahan (from Sitapur Lok Sabha seat on Bahujan Samaj Party ticket).
Now coming back to the important point regarding the Women’s Reservation Bill. If the government and the opposition was really serious about the rights and upliftment of the women in the country, then why Muslim women were neglected in the Bill? We all know very well and the Sachhar Committee Report has already told about the poor socio-economic condition of Muslims in the country. As per the Sachhar Committee recommendations Muslims of the country need essential support from the government for upliftment. But the government didn’t think twice or discussed the need of making amendment in the Women’s Reservation Bill keeping in mind the dismal status of Muslims in the country.
Muslims in India are backward from social as well as economic aspects. Due to lack of education and proper support from the government the Muslims are lagging behind from other sects of the country. Women’s Reservation Bill was a big hope for Muslim women whose presence is almost negligible in the Indian political system. Need of the hour is that Muslims should now come forward and sincerely discuss the issue of their presence in the Indian politics. Today Muslims have lost their reserved percentage in the Women’s Reservation Bill and in the coming time there are fair chances that the number of Muslims may go down if the accommodating nature of the top Muslim political leaders continues. If Muslims would not have representation in the Indian political setup, then who will address the issues related to the second biggest populace of the country.
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RESERVATION FOR WOMEN
This has reference to Mr. Dipak Dholakia's write up - item No: 4 pertaining to the Rule of Muslims in India for nearly EIGHT CENTURIES. Kindly note that the Muslim Kings and Nawabs were merely NOMINAL Muslims. Had their rule been really ISLAMIC then, India, today, would have been an "DARUL ISLAM". For God's sake, please do not jump to the wrong conclusion that had the Muslim rulers been real Muslims they would or should have FORCED NON-MUSLIMS to become MUSLIMS.NO. That is NOT what I mean. What I mean is: if they had been true and good Muslims, their rule would have been Islamic and an Islamic rule means justice prevailing over inhustice and such peace and tranquility that lamb and leapord could drink water from the same waterhole at the same time.
It is only because some of the Muslim rulers followed the basic rules of administration of an Islamic State, that the DALITS during the rule of Muslim rulers chose to willingly and gladly enter the fold of Islam and such converts are today known as "LABBAI" inasmuch as they cried "LABBAYAIK" ( which means "HERE I COME" in Arabic)and became full-fledged Muslims. Alas! most Muslim politicians and rulers today are, like their counterparts in olden days, selfish and this=worldly minded.That's the reason why the section of society which is still oppressed is not drawn towards ISLAM and MUSLIMS. The proverb " PHYSICIAN HEAL THYSELF" applies to Muslim Politicians today.
I am sorry I think I have have gone a bit off the tangent. A propos of the RESERVATIION OF SEATS TO WOMEN, women will be women be they in the kitchen or in legislative chambers. Ten to one, they dance to the tunes of their husbands or fathers. Hence, even with the reservation, the rule of MEN will continue to prevail and prosper.
S.M.PASHA
CONVENER, ALL INDIA FORUM OF MUSLIM JOURNALISTS
BASED IN CHENNAI
men will be men
Dear Pasha Sahab,
i think I have said 800-year Muslim rule and not Islamic rule. They came to India for anything but to spread Islam. However, I do notentirely agree with you that lower caste Hindus converted to Islam because of some benevolent rulers. While this may be true partially, the real influence were Sufi saints who are venerated even today by Hindus as well. They lived among people, ate with them, sat with them and became buffer between the people and oppressive social and ruling forces.They were able to provide a succour to the people like Bhaktas of Hinduism. Bhakti movement is a silent revolt of common people who could not understand Sanskrit. I do not recall the name of any benevolent king - small or big who really did something for the poor. If you know such rulers kindly let me know.The fact is, even Muslims remained poor under Muslims. Those who converted also remained poor. The character of ruling class is the same irrespective of religion.This provides us with a historical lesson: do not trust those who use the name of religion with an eye on the seat of power. T
About spread of Islam again. I would like to say that even during the early days of Islam when Muslims were conquering the world, they did not disturb the existing administrative structures in the conquered countries. This had its positives and negatives but this is a fact many writers have emphasised. Their contacts remained confined to the elite class. This is true for India too.
Second thing, you say woman will be woman which also means men will be men. How good administrators, how benevolent, how caring men are we all know. You blame your leaders (all men). How are you going to solve the problem of poverty? (Please also read my response to Shaheen Sahab's comments in this regard).
In any case, this was not my argument. I had said that getting a share for Muslim women (the original article by Mudassir Sahab) in the 33% reservation for women is a non-issue for Muslims and it should not provoke emotions. My query was about the male opinion about the role of women in society. You have perhaps answere that query.On other matters,Pasha Sahb, we may be using different words but I feel we do not disagree in essence.
"Ten to one, they dance to
"Ten to one, they dance to the tunes of their husbands or fathers"
PASHA Sab, try making Ms Sushma swaraj, Kiran Bedi or even Shabana Azmi dance to the tune of their HUSBANDS. If MUSLIM WOMEN dance to the tune of their husbands due to the fear of TRIPLE TALAQ and FOUR MARRIAGES it is NOT the problem of others. 33% Reservation is for all women and MUSLIM WOMEN can avail it as much as any other women.
Indian history is replacement with anti-Hindu atrocities by Muslim rulers. India is not "DARUL ISLAM" NOT because of what you stated but because of the history of India from 1720 onwards till 1920, a 200 year period not discussed by most Indian Historians.
-- The most secular Muslim ruler, Akbar massacred all the Rajput inhabitants of Chitor. Akbar's Tomb in Sikandra was captured by JATS and his bones taken out and burned.
-- In 1710, Sikhs capture Sirhind and kill every Muslim in Sirhind for killing Guru Gobind's sons.
-- From 1720 onward the Marathas let a reign of terror against Muslims so much so that the Muslims invited the Afghan ruler and fought along with Afghans to defeat Marathas in Third battle of Panipat1761.
-- The Marathas and Sikhs regained their power and were in control of India till British took over. ALL THE TEMPLES AND GURUDWARAS IN NORTH INDIA ARE NOT OLDER THAN 1720 as Muslim Rulers destroyed all Hindu place of worship till Marathas/Sikhs took control while there are very old temples in South India because Muslims had lesser control in South.
-- After 1857 revolt too, the British killed off large number of Muslims.
-- So it was the annihilation of Muslims in many parts of India from 1720 onwards by Marathas, Sikhs followed by British which prevented India from becoming "DARUL ISLAM".
-- Muslim Rulers like NIZAM, NAWABs etc post 1800 were under the control of British who did NOT allow persecution of Hindus as it would affect TRADE which was their only concern.
-- Even many Hindus in UP Bihar etc are of Maratha/Rajput origin and have surnames of Rajput/Maratha origin because they occupied these areas after chasing out Muslims.
So if Indian Muslims want reservation on religious lines they must go to "DARUL ISLAM" called Pakistan
Dar-ul-Islam has no man-made boundaries
"Anonymous"
You are not aware "Anonymous" - Dar-ul-Islam spreads 180 degrees east to 180 west of GMT(Greenwich Mean Time). It has no "man-made" boundaries.
The west fought COLD-WAR with former U.S.S.R. for four decades and SUCCEEDED in disintegrating. In return the west INVITED more problems of DEALING with newly formed countries called "......stans" who inherited NUCLEAR and OIL - a heavenly gift from Ooperwaala for Muslim countries.
It's wise / better for "Anonymous" and his ilks to UNDERSTAND and deal JUSTLY with NOT ONLY "Muslims in India" - but Muslims worldwide. And remember, OIL - a dire need for development is MAINLY in hands of Muslim countries.
Thank you for your understanding, and STOP "blabbering" about past-history, trying to "sow" HATRED / ENMITY / JEALOUSY.
An Indian
P.S.:
------
Remember, JEALOUSY burns a oneself AND causes more harm to the person WHO feels JEALOUS about others.
Women's Reservation Bill
In West Bengal C.P.M. leaderships consisting of upper caste Hindus always tried to keep Muslims poor and illeterate and used them as "Harmad Bahini" to remain in power for the last three decades.Deliberately and willfully they neglected Muslims which was revealed by Sachhar Committee report. So, it is not surprising for C.P.M. to support Women's Reservation Bill in its present form.
I thought ten times before
I thought ten times before responding to the article as the issue of reservation raised here concerns exclusively to Muslims and I am not a Muslim. I have expressed my views especially on the issue of Islamic Banking and 'State and Liberal ideas' (6 March) by Irfan Engineer, but on this issue, I thought I should not speak. Only thing, one comment (under the title
Why so much tear in your eyes Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on 11 March 2010 - 1:03pm.) has encouraged me to indulge in debate. I will welcome readers' response. I must first congratulate the member who has commented under the title quoted above more than the author. His is a self-respecting, dignified voice.
Let us understand this:
1.The issue of women's reservation is gender-based and not caste-based or community-based.
2. Indian constitution does not provide for religion-based reservations.
3. if the povision for SC/ST and OBCs are made into the Constitution is made, that was because they were kept backward by the dominant forces of the Hindu society for a milllenium or so.
4. On the other hand,Muslims have ruled this subcontinent for about 800 years prior to the advent of the British. Let us not forget that the Muslim rulers too did not do anything to emiliorate the condition of the suppressed Hindu majority. the State must play a role in the uplift of a class of people. It is true today and it was true yesterday.
5. Not only the lower caste Hindus,but the large majority of the Muslims too remained poor during the 800 year rule of the Muslims.
7. Yes, Muslims are poor and backward as rightly put by the author and they must get full support from the government, because no society can be said to have made real progress if a segment is lagging behind.
8.What is the general belief about a woman's role among Muslims? Do you want them to go straight to parliament and nowhere else? Muslims should be clear about it.How is a portion from the reserved seats for women going to help Muslims out of 'backwardness'?
9. Were it Muslims who raised the demand to have a share in the reserved seats for women in Parliament? Or was it Mulayam Singh?
10.How can you forget that one of the Yadavs -Laloo Yadav let the cat out of the bag that Rabdi Devi would vote where Laloo ji wanted her to. This shows that he does not want women to be independent as MPs. Then why does he cry hoarse for reservation within reservation for SC/ST-OBC women?
11. How is the women's reservation bill against the interests of Muslims?
12. There are objective reasons of backwardness among Muslims that must be taken care of by all. But, there are subjective reasons too. Who will take care of these reasons?
I believe Muslims must not waste their energy on non-issues. Do not always think you are victims. PLEASE come out of this VICTIMHOOD psyche. it does no good to either the country or the Muslims themselves.
I hope this will be taken as a frank excahnge of views between very ordinary people like me and you. Please do not read anything communal in it. I am a non-political secular Indian national and consider it my duty to discuss the issues freely without fear of favour.
Think along these lines
Dear Dipak,
Thanks for your frank observations. I agree that 'reservations' is not a magic pill that is going to improve the lot of Muslims in India, but few questions are worth pondering over:
1) Regarding reservation for SC/ST/OBC, why are Muslims/Christians in these categories not included? They have also suffered centuries of discrimination, which cannot be eradicated solely on the basis of changing one's religion. Do you imply that all the 140 million Muslims in India are descended from royalty/nobility? In my opinion, the lower class Muslims are being punished for being Muslims by withholding them the benefits of reservation.
2) If the purpose of reservation is to provide amelioration from economic/social oppression then Sachar and Mishra reports have already shown that Muslims across the board (including upper class) are suffering from the same. Are these objective or subjective measures? As Muslims population is not concentrated and spread throughout India, chances of them getting elected without reservation will remain slim.
3) Women's reservation in its present format is highly deleterious for Indian democracy - moreover, seats are rotating so elected members have no incentive to nurse their constituencies- in my opinion, this is an overriding clause that subverts the foundations of the Indian republic and should be challenged in the courts- the long-term implications are very serious- the power will shift even more from individual MPs to central leadership of the parties, and it has implications for the federal structure of our country too. Thus, not only Muslims - ALL RIGHT THINKING INDIANS SHOULD OPPOSE THIS BILL.
4)It is foolishness of the Muslim leadership to show that they are backward by opposing women's bill on the basis of religion- this shows they have accepted the BACKWARD tag employed by media/corporate/bureaucracy/government/politicians to them, and will continue to remain BACKWARD for another 100 years.
5)The hypocrisy of our country's intelligentsia is exposed when they blame Muslims for being BACKWARD and FUNDAMENTALIST (i.e., sticking to their religion), yet deny Muslims the chance for equitable participation in Indian democracy.
Reservations
Thanks Shaheen Sahab for your thought-provoking response. I am, however, clear in my mind that this reservation for women cannot have any impact, positive or negative on the life of Muslims. Even if a quota within the women's quota is set apart for Muslims it could be only for the purpose of, as they say, 'appeasement' with no tangible gains for the community.I did not say that all Muslims are descendent of royalty. On the contrary I said Muslims remained poor even during the 800 year long Muslim rule (I do not mean to say that it was Islamic rule). This means the poor are poor for at least one thousand years. you are perfectly right that change in religion or preaching of religion did not materially change their lives. This is a secular idea when we think of the poor irrespective of their religion. This kind of unity is the need of the hour.
per se I do not think that reservations for SC/ST have helped them. On the other hand, the Mandal commission report for OBC did bring a big change in political perception. Reservation in jobs, education and some such affirmative actions must be taken, because Muslims constitute a large chunk of our society. Seats for Muslim women in Parliament? well, it remains a debatable issue. One issue of debate is, Muslim male perception of woman's role in the field of economic and political field. I have been a regular reader of this site and have some idea about it and no doubt you too have. So, at the moment it is a concoted victimhood of Muslim male political leadership..
2. I fully support Sachar and Mishra committee reports. Government is, in fact not doing enough (or not doing fast enough0)on these recommendations. These are objective reasons. You know, subjective reasons well. It is the response of the community which is being constantly hammered by orthodoxy that advises against modernity
3. In that connection, I would like you to explore with me the meaning of 'Backwardness'.
I consider it a relative term. When I look around and find myself stagnating for various reasons while the world moves on, I feel I am backward. But I do not want to move for some reasons. Now I am 'backward' in the sense that everyone else has moved ahead. This moving ahead, for Muslims shall be only in terms of modern times. If Muslims themselves feel pressure of modernity and the forward movement, the only available to them is to go with modernity -i.e. Modern education - and preparedness to face the challenges of modernity. You cannot go to the past and curse the modernity on the one hand and simultaneously come out of 'backwardness'. I suspect there is a powerful upper class and clergy voice against modernity. coming out of the backwardness where do you want to see yourself? We are all constantly offered the choice but actually you have to choose only from sets of problems. choose this set of problems or that. if you open the window you will get foul smell too. This should not lead us to close our widow. I think this is what I mean when I speak of subjective reasons.
let us also admit that only the unity of the poor will bring about a change in the perceptions of our rulers.No clamour for small mercies.
Reasons
Brother Dipak,
I agree with you that conceptually/theoretically/ideally, the issue of women's reservation is completely separate from that of affirmative action for Muslims. Whether or not the former is beneficial for Indian society is a completely separate discussion.
However, in practical terms, when the honourable SC has affixed a limit for quotas at 50%, then please delineate from which part of the sky will the affirmative action for Indian Muslims appear from (the need of which you have also attested to)?
FYI, I belong to the so-called ashraf class (a misnomer) of Indian Muslims, but social discrimination is a reality which is not easily discernible to the intellectuals amongst our Hindu brethren. A particular mindset has been deeply embedded in the system ever since Partition (with continuous fueling by vested standards), however as it lacks any concrete measures these things are swept under the carpet.
But I again concur with you partly on the issue of backwardness-Muslims are to blame despite the fact that insincere and dummy leaders are foisted upon them. As a poet has said - We are caught between incapable leaders and blind/illiterate followers.
Please elucidate the remaining contention of what GOI should do to alleviate the ever-worsening condition of Indian Muslims over the last 60 years, which is in nobody's interest. If all Muslims who are slightly capable of finding jobs, migrate to the West or Middle East, the remaining lot that is left here will be even more backward.
plight of the Muslims
Dear Shaheen Sahab,
With the SC determined quota of reservvation, there is hardly any scope for reservation for Muslims. You are right. I am also aware of the caste system prevailng among Muslims, though it may not be as rigid as is found in Hindu society. for me, the question cannot be solved this way, Sachars and Mishras notwithstanding. I consider the poor as poor, not as Muslim poor and Hindu poor. Infact Supreme court should have asked the government to apply economic criterion. All SCs/STs are not only socially backward but also economically backward. now, we must change the priority i.e. it is contended that social backwardness has led to economic backwardness. I believe it is other way around. People were deprived of economic rights first - in the ancient times. Jobs were reserved for them! Any mean job that is!
There should be a powerful movement of the deprived classes including Muslims seeking this change. Strangely, even at the time of framing of the constitution economic criteria was not introduced. Perhaps due to dominant position of Dr. Ambedkar or due to the guilt feeling of Nehru (who was a forward looking Brahmin with progressive outlook)only social backwardness resulting from the Hindu caste system was recognised. Not even the Buddhists were included. Dr. Ambedkar is said to be in dilemma when he renounced Hinduism and became a Buddhist. He too had not realised the consequences of what he had done. There are such moves to bring SC/St and Muslims on a common platform. it is a grim battle, because it is a fight for the poor, by the poor. There are forces who are bent upon cornering all the benefits. Even during the recesssion Mukesh Ambani.s assets saaw a growth of some 2000 crores! all big people in India saw rise in their assets. but small people lost their jobs. All those of us who are not actually poor must speak their language and articulate their demands. There is no transfer of income to the lower levels. Liberalisation has strengthened the rich. it robed the poor to feed the rich. In that sense, I support the cause of Muslims - but not because they are Muslims, but because they are poor. Government must find a way. Whether they are Hindus or Muslims is purely incidental to me.
You have referred to the mindset after partition. True it is a big tragedy which did not benefit any community. in fact the historical turn came after 1857. everyone knows that Muslims were on the forefront , though there were big leaders like Nansaheb. Tantya tope and Rani Jhansi. Bulk constituted of Muslims who fought against the British. After 1857 The British turned to Hindus at the cost of Muslims.Sir Sayyed Ahmed was the only person who understood the significance of working differently, to face the new challenge.
Paritition is such a colossal event that even Muslims have been thinking in terms of partition as if they had no history before 1940!
Interestingly, Muslims were among pioneers of communist party in India. I would like to recall many of them : Communist Party of India was founded in 1920 in Tashkent with seven members that included Mahammed Ali and Mohammed Shafiq(General Secretary) along with the Comintern leading lights like MN Roy. Shafiq and Barkatullah were working for the freedom of India in foreign lands.. They had formed Indian Revolutionary Committee, known as Berlin Committee. In 1915, a provisional Indian Government was formed with a base in Kabul consisting of Mahendra Pratap as President and Barkatullah as Prime Minister. Mohd. Shafiq was Interior Minister and his deputy was Mohd. Ali. Obeidullah Sindhi, Mohd. Wali Khan and Mohd. Basher too were part of the provisional Government.
On November 13, 1918 the first Indians to meet Lenin included Abdul Jabbar Khairi and Abdul Sattar Khairi (brothers). In 1920 indian Revolutionary Association was formed in Kabul under the chairmanship of Abdul Rab and with Amir Farukh and fazil Al Qadir as Secretaries. Muzaffar Ahmed and Kazi Nazrul Islam (National poet of Bangladesh), in 1922, founded Bharat Samyatantra Samiti ( Indian Socialist Association).
A case against Communists for conspiring to overthrow the British Government was launched. The accused included at least 20 Muslims- more famous among them, Shauqat Usmani. They all joined Soviet Military School. Lare when the Communist Party was formed in India Muzaffar Ahmed was one of the most prominent leaders of the new party - communist history acknowledges his pioneering contribution.
Of course, there were Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan etc who pursued the goal of Independence for all.
There was predominance of Muslims among the 'progressive writers and poets' who were inspired by Marxian thoughts.
Have Muslims forgotten this? Music, Art, culture... in all fields they have contributed. but have gone back to their shell after independence. Subjectively they fail because such historical constraints - antagonism form majority community and guilt feeling of their own . forget partition now. Say boldly. Let them look into the years that were before 1940 Pakistan resolution AND must start thinking on non-communal line. They will be a bulwark of change in policies that are ruining the poor.
India of today
Dear Dipak,
Glad to see you bring up this topic. The provincial government at Kabul was formed with Turkish and German support, and was in many ways a precursor to the INA- interesting that we are seeing a revisionist version of history ever since independence. Why that effort could never really take off was obviously because of British pressure on the then Afghan government. It is a fascinating part of history to read, in fact Gandhiji praised Mahendra Pratap for his uprightness though Nehru always derided him even after independence (you will appreciate the fact that it is a common practice of certain elements to publicly disparage those whom they see as their greatest threat).
Thus, we see Sanghis deride Muslims as retrograde, the capitalist West has always derided Communist countries as backward with no freedom of expression. This false sense of superiority always backfires in the end, as history has always proven and will InshaAllah prove again very soon. Finally, the token Barkatullah University in Bhopal is a tribute to the genius of those men.
Coming to the topic, Mukesh Ambani is the same fellow who has built up his own house in Bombay on Waqf property acquired through underhand means. It is difficult to say which precedes which - social or economic backwardness, but the effects of the former are more long-lasting in nature. Finally, I agree that a real jihad (read moral struggle) is needed to emancipate India from the clutches of unhinged capitalism and unbridled imperialism into which the masses are sinking. Those that doubt the above analysis please see this:
http://www.greenpeace.org/india/stop-the-vote
Islam has always been against dogma and exclusivity- sadly the Ulama of today are increasingly becoming only information keepers (having read tomes of books on Fiqh) but lacking real leadership. Emancipation includes joining hands with all like-minded people who have a vision for a 'free' India. Let us also ponder why Gandhiji wanted the Congress to disband after 1947- probably he foresaw the self-serving beast it would turn into once its mission was accomplished- this is the difference between a movement and an organization. Communists of today should also take note.
You are right Muslims need to dig into their own history and culture to realize their potential as agents of change in the broader society, and not depend on the crumbs of reservation politics. The reference to 1947 is a ploy by vested interests to keep us engaged against one another, in much the same manner as the term Harijan was coined as a dualism to fool the Dalits in the early part of this century.
Agreed
Shaheen Sahab, I agree with you on almost all points. Can we continue on more peersonal level?
If you read this and prefer to contact me, I will cconsider it my privilege. Thanks.
Would the really deserving get the benefit of this bill?
A good piece of writing with complete informations.The facts and figures are very laud and clear.
The idea of reservation to uplift the women politico-socio-economically is appreciating ,but the present format of the bill is nothing than to suppress and oppress the women from minorities and Dalits.Are women from minorities and dalits are empowerd and they do not deserve reservation?
The motive of BJP can be understandable, what to say about pseudo-secularist congress?
Only time will say whether the really deserving get the benefit of the present format of the bill?
With Regards,
Shahbaz.
Dubai
Why so much tear in your eyes
I request all TCN visitors to stop crying foul for the backwardness. First they have created word "Minority" to instill in our mind that we are nothing but a useless number. This word is being used to make us realise and actually we have accepted the same as well which reflect in our actions and talks. Please remove this tag and you will rise.
Secondly they have started new words for us " Backwardness" in the name of report. Please don't let this word create inferiority complex inside you...
If you do indepentent survey, you will find that we have achieved a lot of things without govt help and whereever GOVT has tried to help us, they have ruined us.
So please don't look at them, they are only to ruine you. All parties have one agenda to keep us back at any cost.
Congress has given us all the existing parties to play with us and once the purpose of pushing us back has been served, those parties are being dis-integrated and new faces are being brought up.
Please understand the poly of congress and start your own struggle. Understand yourself, and look back at your history what you were and why you were.
Adopt modern and Islamic education at any cost and see the change in coming 10 years. then you will not need to write any article for your rights, but they will come to your door and give you your share like Jews are getting from around the world.
They have dopted education and created tools to make them for themself.
Rise from this mentality of reservation and article writings. Stop crying, and forget political parties.
Hope you can understand........................
A very good Article based on
A very good Article based on facts. Now we the Indians are supposed to make the govt. realise the noble cause behind. As witout the involvement of every sect we cant see India in Prosperous condition.
Warning the government of stiff resistance to the Women's Reservation Bill,where there is no any clause for Muslim womens is matter of concern.
Now i would like to request all to make this article very popular and efficient.
Feedback
Dear Editor,
Perceptions are the key elements for those giving focus upon the scholastic attitude of an opinion expressed through particular write-up for people willing to learn more. It creates more readability when the write-ups are published timely. I thank you for publishing the article titled, Women’s Reservation Bill: What it means for Muslim representation? by Md. Mudassir Alam at the right moment.
This highly informative article is timely and a pathfinder for the laymen and for the Muslim politicians who are still in the coma. We have to awake them to come out of the dogma and have to press them to leave their vested interests for better tomorrow for the Muslim masses in particular and the nation in general.
We appreciate your efforts for encouraging the budding minds like Mudassir and encouraging the young journalists to write such scholarly write-ups.
Nobody wants to read the “typical opinions” expressed by the selected so called Muslim scholars anymore. Everybody wants a variegated taste when feeding their knowledge urge.
It is a welcome step that you have published such an excellent write up. Kudos to Mudassir and last but not the least to you for keeping us updated with great information.
Asif Anwar Alig
Editorial Coordinator
Vision – The Journal of Business Perspective
Management Development Institute
P.O Box No. 60, Mehrauli Road, Sukhrali
Gurgaon, HARYANA--122001, INDIA
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Its time we realize that
Its time we realize that quotas are meant for a class or section of the Society which heitherto have been deprived of due representation in proper places.
I am totally against the system of caste or religion based quota, I feel it has caused more harm to the Society and the Nation per se than resulting in any good.
How far is the Women Reservation going to help has to be seen in larger perspective, why isolate muslim women alone.
Lets' see what future beholds for everyone .
Women Reservation Bill and Muslim Women
It is aconspiracy of the upper caste leadeship of the Congress, BJP and the CPI(M) to ensure the dominance of upper castes in the policy making of the country in the days to come. Muslim representation will decrease and there is hardly any likelihood of a Muslim woman elected to Parliament.Without the support of the BJP the bill would not have been passed.The BJP was keen to get this bill passed because it serves the agenda of the party. As regard, the Marxists, the talk about them the better. Sachar report has exposed them as regard the Muslim represntation ia all walks of life in West Bengal.Bahujan Samaj Party and Trinamul Congress did not take part in the voting just to give the impression that they wanted Muslim and backward representation. But what prevented these pariies to vote against the bill.
Only three politiacal parties, namely,Samajwadi, Rashtriya Janta Dal and Jan Shakti Part led by Mulayam Singh, Lalu Prasad and Ram Vilas Paswan oppsed the bill in its present form and wanted the representation of backward and Muslim women. Sharad Yadav Party has always stood with the BJP and for tactical reasons Sharad Yadav was speaking against the bill.
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