By Dr. Syed Ahmed for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: Like other parts of the world, Minorities Rights Day was observed in Manipur too on December 18, 2013 by the Pangal (Manipuri Muslim) Political Forum (PPF), Manipur, at Manipur Press Club, Imphal.
The observance function was graced by Former Minister C. Doungel, President of PPF Md. Azizul Haque Khan, Former Minister Dr. M. Nara Singh, President of Women Society (PPF) Leina Begum, President of Meetei Christian Minority Forum (Imphal East) Rev. Asem Shyam Meetei, representative of Sanamahi Lup Yangoi Piba and Advocate Md. Jalaluddin as Chief Guest, President and Guests of Honour respectively.
Addressing the key-note address, Spokes-person of PPF, M.I. Khan said the Forum observed the day to make the minorities aware of their rights and to raise some of the key issues of the minorities of the State. He said, “On December 18, 1992 the United Nations promulgated the declaration Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities to strengthen the cause of minorities. Since then, Minorities Rights Day is observed to create awareness on rights of minorities. The Indian Government also passed the National Commission for Minorities Act in 1992 which identified the minorities in India. As per the Act the minorities in the country include Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh and Parsi. The National Commission for Minorities and the State Commissions for minorities have been trying to safeguard the rights of the minority communities in India. In Manipur too the Manipur State Minorities Commission was instituted in 2004 to protect the rights of minorities.”
“To bring the minority communities, especially Muslims, on par with other developed communities the UPA Government constituted the Sachar Committee to study the socio-economic and educational status of the Muslims in India. The report, tabled in the Parliament in 2006, revealed that the condition of Muslims in this country is worst than that of the STs and SCs. The Committee recommended numerous measures to improve the condition of Muslims. Considering the recommendations, the Central Government had introduced numerous programmes and schemes, which include among others the New PM’s 15-Point Progrmme, Multi-Sectoral Development Programme (MsDP), Scholarship and Coaching Schemes for the minority communities. Many of these programmes are introduced in Manipur too. However, most of the programmes, including the MsDP and other beneficiary schemes, are not effectively implemented in the State,” he added.
“It is very unfortunate that the State Government has failed to observe such a significant day today,” he further said.
Dr. Nara said the State cannot develop if the Muslims remain backward. The State Government should initiate steps to bring the Muslim community on par with other communities. The politicians and Government officials should be sincere in implementing the developmental programmes. These programmes should reach the poor and the backward, he added.
Asem Shyam Meetei said the State Government has so far failed to recognize Meetei Christians as a minority community, even though a representative of the Meetei Christian is a member of the Manipur State Minorities Commission.
Md. Jalaluddin spoke on the rights of minorities laid down in the Indian Constitution. Former Secretary of Manipur State Minorities Commission Dr. Raheijuddin Sheikh and Assistant Professor of Lilong Haoreibi College Dr. Syed Ahmed also spoke at the function.
The function was attended by representatives of different minority communities of the State.
The Manipur State Minorities Commission is observing Minorities Rights Day on December 20 at Maharaja Chandrakirti Auditorium at Imphal. Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh will grace the function as Chief Guest. Minister (Agriculture and Fisheries) Md. Abdul Nasir, Parliamentary Secretary (Minorities & Other Backward Classes) Md. Amin Shah and MLA Md. Fajur Rahim will also attend the function.