By TCN News,
Aligarh: The Millat Bedari Muhim Committee (MBMC) and Forum for Muslim Studies & Analysis (FMSA), Aligarh submitted a memorandum to Sonia Gandhi enclosing a charter of demands. The memorandum says that the charter of demands if accepted could turn the tide in favour of Congress, in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections.
The charter of demands were as listed below, the memorandum sought positive actions on the demands so that Congress could get a suitable political ground in UP; with the fact that Muslims form the second largest section of voters in UP. The memorandum was undersigned by 109 dignitaries including NGO leaders and Aligarh officials.
1. In the light of a strong bias that existed against Muslims often resulting in the loss of life and property in riots; strict laws should be enforced against perpetrators of such crimes. This could well ensure a much needed sense of security and confidence towards ruling establishment and justice system, resulting in the overall development of the community.
2. Clause (3) of Constitution (Schedule Caste) order 1950 restricts benefits of reservation under article 341 of constitution only to Hindus, Sikhs and Neo Buddhists; this is discriminatory against Muslims and Christian dalits. Ranganath Misra Commission, National Commission for Schedule Caste and National Commission for Minorities have already recommended abolition of this discriminatory clause. Therefore this clause should be abrogated by parliamentary amendment.
3. The central and state government Quota provides about 27% reservation in employment and Educational Institutions to OBC; this includes the Muslim OBC as well. However in reality, Muslims aren’t able to get its due share under the reservation policy. Category of OBC should therefore be divided into OBC and Extremely Backward Class (EBC), placing Muslim OBC in the category of EBC. Since Govt. of India and State Governments earmark 23% of their planned budget to benefit members of schedule castes and tribes. A similar earmarking to the level of 27% of the planned fund should be made available for OBC’s, which in turn could benefit the OBC Muslims.
4. The Central government has been delaying action on the recommendations of the Ranganath Mishra Commission to give ten percent reservation to the Muslim community. Now, Minority Ministry has reportedly forwarded a proposal to the Central Government to allocate a sub-quota for Muslim backward biradaris within theOBC quota. MBMC & FMSA Aligarh rejects the proposal and demand implementation and immediate actions on the recommendations of Ranganath Mishra Commission.
5. The Rajasthan government is harshly treating Urdu language and education as it has withdrawn equivalency of the Degree of Adeeb (High School) and Adeeb Mahir (Intermediate) Conferred by Jamia Urdu Aligarh. The action is completely uncalled for and demands urgent action.
6. Fix specific role and responsibility, accountability and provision of punishment in the mechanism of delivery System of Prime Minister’s 15 point programme and other development programme. Along with this selected local voluntary agencies/NGO’s and community representatives should be involved to scrutinize and monitor proper utilization of the funds allotted for the schemes. The responsibility of monitoring at the apex level should be entrusted to the ministry of statistics. At this juncture proper care should be taken on its implementation with reference to the education and health care of minorities in general and Muslims in particular.
7. A large section of Muslim population comprises weavers and other artisans who are engaged in weaving and other traditional handicrafts such as chikan work, leather, glassware, brass ware, etc. These handicraft works should be given adequate support in terms of resources.
8. Of late, Indian courts of law have been encroaching upon issues of personal law which have profound bearing on Muslims. With a view to match current western legal wisdom, courts have allowed live-in relationships including inheritance rights of such people, legalised same sex unions, gave lifelong maintenance to divorced women etc. The latest is the verdict reported by Indian Express on 16 Nov. 2011 in which a Delhi judge has rejected the established principle that marriage in Islam is a contract. MBMC & FMSA Aligarh feels that the courts should not interfere with the Muslim Personal Law.
9. The issue of the Minority status of the Aligarh Muslim University [AMU] is lingering on. Presently the matter is pending in Supreme Court. MBMC & FMSA demands that the central government should bestow upon AMU the minority status through bringing about adequate legislation.
10. National Commission of Minority is a statutory body, without powers to prosecute. MBMC & FMSA Aligarh demands that NCM should be given more power [Constitutional Power like NHRC] including powers of prosecution otherwise the whole exercise is meaningless.