By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: The Indian Government’s dream to become super power can never fructify until and unless Muslims are made part and parcel of inclusive growth and equal partners in the country’s all round development.
This was declared by Hazrat Maulana Mohammed Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi, Chairman of SEE, (Strive for Eminence and Empowerment), while delivering key-note address in the National Conference entitled “21st Century’s Socio-economic Challenges” at Surat the other day.
Hazrat Maulana Mohammed Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi, Chairman of SEE, (Strive for Eminence and Empowerment), while delivering key-note address in the National Conference entitled “21st Century’s Socio-economic Challenges” at Surat.
Shaikh-ul-Hadeeth Maulana Qari Rashid Ahmed Ajmeri presided over the conference while Union External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid was the chief guest on the occasion.
Maulana Mujaddidi, a noted Muslim cleric and also member of the steering committee of Planning Commission of India, said in the 20th century the basic need of all Indians was “Roti, Kapda Aur Makaan”. While in the 21st Century these needs have transformed into decent meals (nutritious); “Pukka Makaan” with electricity, safe drinking water, Quality Education, Health Care & Economic participation.
Maulana Mujaddidi opined Muslims don’t enjoy much social status in the state of Gujarat. At least 50 per cent of Muslim population is backward and lives below poverty line (BPL) in the state. Here Muslims are denied pre-matric scholarships which is their right.
Lambasting the rightist Bharatiya Janata Party, (BJP), ruled Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s government, Maulana Mujaddidi said, Modi’s claim of Gujarat shining is a hoax. He questioned if he (Modi) talks about 60 millions Gujaratis then why is it that he ignores Muslim community? Every state provides pre-matric scholarships of Federal Indian Government to Muslims, except Gujarat. Implementation of welfare schemes in Gujarat, compared to other states is very poor. If Gujarat has to become a vibrant state, it has to focus on inclusive growth and include Muslims too in its plan, he added.
Maulana Mujaddidi said that the 12th Plan which has been signed by chief ministers of all states belonging to Congress, BJP, BSP, SP etc. is not a document of all these political parties but it is “Bharatvarsh Ka Plan”. Planning Commission has accepted Muslims as most backward then why Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi after signing the 12th Plan document has not been giving pre-matric scholarships to Muslim children and the courts had to intervene in the matter, he pointed out.
China will overtake US to become the world super power. India is the fastest growing economy of the world after China. During the year 2011-12, GDP growth rate was 6.5 per cent adding approx. Rs.50,00,000/- crores to the exchequer. This rapid growth in India is likely to slow down after 2020. Those having an eye upon the economic matters are familiar with the variance in the growth rate of an economy. According to expert economists it is not a steady phenomenon, but has a trend of inconsistency in it. When infrastructural critical gaps are outsized, it has a propensity to increase, and with the filling of these gaps, it tends to slow down. It is anticipated that in our country these spaces will be filled up after 2020. As a consequence, he said, the government will accordingly spend lesser amount in social sphere, and eventually it will be moved in the private hands. This trend is to some extent is manifested in the 12th Plan. Briefly it can be said that in 12th and 13th Plans there will be huge expenditure in the educational and health like sectors, which is not likely to be further replicated, he opined.
A view of a section of the audience.
Continuing Maulana Mujaddidi in his about 90 minute address exhorted Muslims to keep themselves ready and be in a combative mode to face the 21st Century challenges, problems and ideas in favour of qualitative change from the previous century. He urged Muslims to remain vigilant and keep an eye on the various government schemes for minorities, to make sure that Muslims could achieve the maximum benefit. He made a fervent appeal to Muslims to acquire modern education and while expressing satisfaction with minority chapter of 12th Five Year Plan he said that proper implementation of welfare schemes can bring dramatic changes in due course. He exhorted Muslims to remain alert and make it a political demand/agenda and ask their members of Parliament (MP), members of legislative assemblies and Corporators about their welfare. They should act as a Millat and not as individual/group/Bradaries. They should look at the deliveries and not commitments made by the people’s representatives or government of the day, he added.
Maulana Mujaddidi, however, lamented that one year has elapsed in the implementation of 12th Plan but he Ministry of Minority Affairs has not made road map for development of infrastructure for minorities dominated areas.
Speaking as chief guest on the occasion Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid endorsed Maulana Mujaddidi’s mission in favour of Muslims upliftment by suggesting them not to fell prey to emotional issues. He compared Surat Conference with Wardha Scheme of Mahatma Gandhi’s era and expressed hope that proper implementations of various welfare schemes as suggested in 12th Plan can bring dramatic changes in due course.
Khurshid said only education has the power to bring about change in the socio-economic status of the community. Reservation should be given on the basis of backwardness and not religion, he added.
Mrs. Luis Khurshid wife of Salman Khurshid offered a piece of land to Mr. Mujaddidi to establish a secondary school in Farrukhabad (UP). Congress Spokesperson Meem Afzal, ex-MP Irshad Mirza Baig, Zakir Qureshi, SM Hilal and others also spoke on this occasion. ([email protected])