By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: Confused at the war of words by political parties regarding status of religious minorities especially Muslims, a literary body of Assam has requested state chief minister Tarun Gogoi to institute a study panel to know the reality.
Char Chapori Sahitya Parishad (CCSP) has urged CM Tarun Gogoi that a study panel in the line of the Rajinder Sachar Committee, which was commissioned in 2005 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to prepare a report on the latest social, economic and educational condition of the Muslim community of the country.
“We are always confused about the reality. If the BJP says of appeasement of the Muslims some others like AIUDF (All India United Democratic Front) has slammed the state government for the poor condition of the same. They even alleged of negligence towards the Muslims. So, it is important to know the real status of Muslims in the state,” said Hafiz Ahmed after sending a written request to the chief minister.
The Sachar Committee report which was first of its kind revealed that the status of Muslims was worse than the conditions of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Ahmed also said that such a study panel might reveal similar reality especially of the Muslims who have been living in river-rine areas.
Besides, CCSP is also demanding a major educational institute especially to cater the needs of the socially backward people in Barpeta district which has highest number of illiterate persons in river side areas.
“We would like to request to consider for a higher educational institute especially for the socially backward people in the state. What we have felt that Barpeta is a district where there are most number of illiterate people living in the river-rine areas. We have even spotted a place for the same at a village called Tetlirtal, some 4 kilometre away from Barpeta town,” Ahmed said.
According to a survey done in 2003, more than 80 per cent people residing in riverside or char areas are illiterate. Another major problem at the present time at these areas is that the newly appointed teachers through Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET) at various schools do not want to stay for a long time especially for the poor communication system.
“This is a serious issue the government need to address for a solution. The communication system must develop so that teachers can be regular at their schools. Only education can uplift the plight of society,” he added.