By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata: Compared to rest of the state, the north part of West Bengal which has several minority concentration districts including Malda and Murshidabad is backward both in terms of education and economy. A Muslim group from the region has urged the state government led by Mamata Banerjee to introduce schemes for educational and economic uplift of the minorities.
The demands of Jalpaiguri Minority Unnayan Sangram Samity include an off campus of Aliah University, courses in Arabic and Urdu at bothUniversity of Gour Banga (Malda) and University of North Bengal (Jalpaiguri) and regional office of West Bengal Minority Development& Finance Corporation.
Entrance of North Bengal University at Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
The group submitted a memorandum in this regard to the State Minority Commission Chairman Entaj Ali Shah in Jalpaiguri during his three-day visit of North Bengal (18-20th September, 2012).
Assistant Secretary of Jalpaiguri Minority Unnayan Sangram Samity, Mr Juel Haque said a delegation of his organization met with State Minority Chairman and put demands for development of the Muslims in North Bengal as they are not connected properly with the state capital Kolkata where all the government minority offices are located.
He said there is no study course at graduate and postgraduate level in Arabic or Urdu at North Bengal University in Jalpaiguri or Gour Banga University in Malda. A huge number of Urdu-speaking Muslims are living in North Bengal. Many Muslim students want to take Arabic in higher studies but they have no choice at North Bengal University & Gour Banga University. They are bound to go to Kolkata for higher study inArabic & Urdu. So, he demanded immediate introduction of Arabic and Urdu courseat the two universities of the region.
Mr Juel said a large number of Muslims are living in Madarihat-Birpara, Kalchini, Rajganj and Mal blocks. But there is no technical school. So, Muslims need an ITI college in this area.
He also said Muslim students of North Bengal generally miss to take admission in Aliah University in Kolkata due to long distance. If Government of West Bengal opens an Off Campus of Aliah University in Jalpaiguri, then lots of Muslim students will be benefited.
Mr Juel also demanded the government to set up a Minority Office in every Block and a Haj Training Centre in Jalpaiguri. He said there is no Haj Office in Jalpaiguri.
Campus of North Bengal University at Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
Chairman of the Minority Commission of West Bengal Intaj Ali Shah told TCN that during his visit he received a Memorandum from Jalpaiguri Minority Unnayan Sangram Samity.“The delegates of that organization discussed with me the actual situation of Muslims in North Bengal. I have taken initiative on their proposal and demands.”
He said he discussed issues with District Magistrate, Sub Divisional Officer, Block Development Officer and many other Government Officials. He also met Muslim intellectuals and organisations.
Intaj Ali Shah told TCN that for development of minorities of North Bengal, all the demands in the Memorandum would be considered and necessary initiative will be taken.
He also said, “I will also talk to Vice Chancellor of Aliah University Dr Shamsul Alam to establish an off-campus in Jalpaiguri and State technical Education Minister for an ITI college. I will also try that Arabic and Urdu courses are introduced at universities of North Bengal and Gour Banga. I will talk to State Higher education Minister shortly.”