By Najiya O., TwoCircles.net,
A few decades ago, if a Muslim woman from Malabar clad in a burqa had gone to Ernakulam, people would have looked at her astonished. Because, burqa or any such dress was unfamiliar in southern Kerala. But now, anyone can see women in burqa or girls wearing head-scarves walking through the busy streets of Ernakulam. Hijab is no more new in the work places, educational institutions and public functions in Kerala.
Salma of Kaloor, Ernakulam, tells us how it was to wear hijab at a time when no one wore it here. “I began wearing the hijab about 15 years ago, when I joined an Arabic College and learned Islam, its principles and the Holy Qur’an. That was in the late 1980s. No one in my place used to cover heads or wear full-sleeved blouses. When I adopted hijab, people began to mock at me. Every time I went out wearing the burqa, people would swarm around and call me names like ‘bear’.”
Salma recalls the first time when she returned home from hostel wearing a hijab. Her brother who was at the bus stop could not recognize her. She had to hold him by hand to make him understand.
That was in the past. Now burqa or head-scarf or any sort of hijab is not new to Ernakulam. Earlier only women coming from other places used to wear hijab. And the people of Ernakulam looked down upon them as traditional and anti-modern. Now the situation has changed altogether. Saliha and Assia are witness to this change.
Saliha and Assia are sisters. They hail from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. They came to Ernakulam around 30 years ago when their husbands came in search of jobs. They used to wear hijab in their native place. They wore purdah and head-scarf. But when they wore it in Ernakulam, people laughed at their dressing.
Saliha says, “People would come out of their houses and stand at the gates to see us walking wearing purdah. Children would run after us, pulling the end of scarf or shawl we wore. People would shout, ‘Look, crows are going!’ Then the street children would call out, ‘Crows! Crows!’ Then we stopped wearing purdah, and so we went out only very rarely.”
And now? Let’s go back to Saliha. “We began using the purdah permanently only about 15 years ago. By then,a sea-change had occurred in people’s attitude. Now you can see many people in the streets wearing burqa or any other sort of hijab. Earlier, only people who came from other districts wore hijab. Kochiites were always fashion-loving people. Kochi has really changed now. And now, burqa is fashionable.”
Indeed hijab is fashionable now. There are different types of burqas and head-scarfs. Now, women want to wear burqas of the most modern fashion. Many textile companies like the Hoorulyn are famous for their brand of burqas and head-scarves. They have different varieties and fashions of hijab. In these circumstances, won’t it be wise to look back to know how it was about fifty years ago?
Back to Malabar of the 1950s, and we can see only some women of Thangal (supposed to be of the lineage of Prophet p.b.u.h.) and moulvi families wearing the burqa which covered the whole body. Very few wore naqaab. They went out only at nights, that is, if they had to meet some of their relatives. Pitch dark night, black burqa, and above this they used black umbrellas too. They wore burqa mainly out of tradition. Their mothers and grandmothers had worn it, so they too. In other families, women wore dhoti (‘kachithuni’), full-sleeved loose blouse (‘penkuppayam’) and a shawl (‘thattam’). That was the sort of hijab they used. There was a minority which wore fashionable dresses. The educated few wore saris and matching blouses. They adopted the dressing style of the majority community, which was comparatively more educated.
In the 1960s, the women who wore burqa began to take it off. That was the age of communism in Kerala. Religion began to be considered anti-modern. The first communist government came to power in the state. Communism and atheism were rated high then.
In the 1970s, people began to go abroad in search of jobs. Many Muslims of Malabar went to the Gulf countries and saw the life style there. They saw women wearing hijab and going out in broad day light. Women wearing burqa were respected and admired there. When the men came back to Kerala, they brought dress materials from there for their wives and sisters. At first they brought a sort of turban that Arab women used to cover their heads. Then they brought head-scarf, and then gradually burqa. The burqa of the Arab countries was called as abaya by the people of Malabar. The abaya was very loose and big. Then came the purdah, which was of medium size and more comfortable. Purdah became very popular among the Gulf families. Others too began to adopt it as it grew to be a symbol of status and fashion. When the men working in Arab countries took their families abroad, the women had to wear the burqa. They brought it back when they came to Kerala.
Earlier there were not many organisations among the Muslims in Kerala. The ones that functioned had no women’s wings or youth wings. When organisations began to sprout and women’s and youth wings became active, women found the hijab system of burqa, purdah and head-scarves comfortable. When these organisations opened educational institutions, they made purdah and scarves the uniform for girls. Thus purdah and scarves became very popular among people. The organisations also imparted religious education among people. They taught people the Holy Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet. Translations of the Qur’an got published in Malayalam. This increased awareness of Islam also played its role in popularising hijab.
Mumtaz began to wear the purdah after she took to learning the Holy Qur’an. She recalls how her mother used to ask her to wear the dupatta/shawl covering the head when going out. But back then, when she was a young woman, she would not listen. However, she was interested in learning the Qur’an. Mumtaz says, “When I came to know that a teacher taught Qur’an in a nearby place, I joined the group of ladies there. I began to understand what is said in the Qur’an. Then I made a lot of changes in my life, including my dressing style. I began to wear the hijab. I have not taken it off since.”
Hafsa also began to dress the Islamic way after she attended religious classes. Those classes changed me, she said, I began to cover my head. Still, it was a revolution when she chose to wear full-sleeved blouses. Her husband who was a tailor said that he won’t stitch a full-sleeved blouse. So Hafsa had to go to another tailor. Hafsa and her co-sister wore full-sleeved blouses with sari for the wedding and that made a big talk then. Now Hafsa wears hijab always.
Hijab is now accepted by the people of Kerala. Earlier it was seen as a sign of oppression and people spoke against it due to superstitious beliefs. But now, the story of oppression has failed as more and more educated women are turning to the hijab. Still, there is opposition. But that comes out of fear. A fear of what would happen if women get to know and practice Islam well. The fear that traditional leaders have of the loss of their authority. However, women who wear the hijab feel safe, secure and confident. And that helps them to succeed.
http://twocircles.net/2009aug07/hijab_kerala_transformation_ignorance_knowledge.html
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Ramadan on August 21 in Turkey, Balkans
By Hany Salah, IOL Correspondent
CAIRO — Muslims in Turkey and the Balkans will observe the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on Friday, August 21, according to astronomical calculations.
“Friday, August 21, will be the first day of Ramadan in Turkey,” the Presidency of Religion Affairs, Turkey’s highest religious institution, said in a statement.
Muslims in the Balkans will also follow Turkey in observing the dawn-to-dusk fasting month.
“Ramadan will start in Romania on Friday, August 21,” Youssef Murad, the head of Romania’s Fatwa House, told IslamOnline.net.
However, some Romanian Muslims prefer to start fasting according to the moon-sighting in their countries of origin.
“Romanians of Turkish and Tatari origin follow Turkey in observing Ramadan, while the Arab community follows the moon-sighting in their Arab countries,” said Karim Angi, head of the Romanian Muslim Society.
There are some 70,000 Muslims in Romanian, mostly hailing from Turkey and Albania. They make up two percent of the country’s 22 million population.
Ramadan will also start in Bulgaria on Friday, August 21.
“Bulgarian Muslims usually start fasting with Turkey," said Asen Menkov, head of the Muslim Union for Development and Culture.
During Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
Unity
Ramadan will also start in Kosovo on Friday, August 21, according to astronomical calculations.
“In coordination with Turkey’s Fatwa House, we, in the Balkans, have agreed on the start of Ramadan to maintain our unity,” Naeem Trafana, the head of the Islamic Sheikhdom in Kosovo, told IOL.
Bosnian Muslims will also start fasting on Friday, August 21.
Muslims in Croatia and Slovenia will also mark the start of Ramadan on August 21.
The dawn-to-dusk fating month will also start in Serbia and Montenegro on Friday, August 21.
Macedonian and Albanian Muslims will also mark the start of the holy fasting month on Friday, August 21.
Moon sighting has always been a controversial issue among Muslim countries, and even scholars seem at odds over the issue.
While one group of scholars sees that Muslims in other regions and countries are to follow the same moon sighting as long as these countries share one part of the night, another states that Muslims everywhere should abide by the lunar calendar of Saudi Arabia.
A third, however, disputes both views, arguing that the authority in charge of ascertaining the sighting of the moon in a given country announces the sighting of the new moon, then Muslims in the country should all abide by this.
CAIRO — Muslims in Turkey and the Balkans will observe the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on Friday, August 21, according to astronomical calculations.
“Friday, August 21, will be the first day of Ramadan in Turkey,” the Presidency of Religion Affairs, Turkey’s highest religious institution, said in a statement.
Muslims in the Balkans will also follow Turkey in observing the dawn-to-dusk fasting month.
“Ramadan will start in Romania on Friday, August 21,” Youssef Murad, the head of Romania’s Fatwa House, told IslamOnline.net.
However, some Romanian Muslims prefer to start fasting according to the moon-sighting in their countries of origin.
“Romanians of Turkish and Tatari origin follow Turkey in observing Ramadan, while the Arab community follows the moon-sighting in their Arab countries,” said Karim Angi, head of the Romanian Muslim Society.
There are some 70,000 Muslims in Romanian, mostly hailing from Turkey and Albania. They make up two percent of the country’s 22 million population.
Ramadan will also start in Bulgaria on Friday, August 21.
“Bulgarian Muslims usually start fasting with Turkey," said Asen Menkov, head of the Muslim Union for Development and Culture.
During Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
Unity
Ramadan will also start in Kosovo on Friday, August 21, according to astronomical calculations.
“In coordination with Turkey’s Fatwa House, we, in the Balkans, have agreed on the start of Ramadan to maintain our unity,” Naeem Trafana, the head of the Islamic Sheikhdom in Kosovo, told IOL.
Bosnian Muslims will also start fasting on Friday, August 21.
Muslims in Croatia and Slovenia will also mark the start of Ramadan on August 21.
The dawn-to-dusk fating month will also start in Serbia and Montenegro on Friday, August 21.
Macedonian and Albanian Muslims will also mark the start of the holy fasting month on Friday, August 21.
Moon sighting has always been a controversial issue among Muslim countries, and even scholars seem at odds over the issue.
While one group of scholars sees that Muslims in other regions and countries are to follow the same moon sighting as long as these countries share one part of the night, another states that Muslims everywhere should abide by the lunar calendar of Saudi Arabia.
A third, however, disputes both views, arguing that the authority in charge of ascertaining the sighting of the moon in a given country announces the sighting of the new moon, then Muslims in the country should all abide by this.
“I Will Kill Muslim Per Day”
IslamOnline.net & Newspapers
CAIRO — A Scottish racist has been released after threatening to kill Muslims until all mosques in the European country are demolished.
"We are calling for consistency,” Asif Ahmed, chairman of the Scottish Islamic Foundation (SIF), told The Scotsman.
A Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday released Neil MacGregor, 36, after he threatened to kill Muslims until all mosques in the country are demolished.
The Court only placed the Scottish racist on three years’ probation despite his anti-Muslim threats.
"I'm a proud racist and National Front member,” MacGregor said in an e-mail sent to Strathclyde Police.
"We as an organisation have decided to deal with the current threat from Muslims in our own British way, like our proud ancestors.
"Our demands are very small. Close all mosques in Scotland,” he said.
"If our demands aren't met by next Friday, we'll kidnap one Muslim and execute him or her on the internet, just like they did to our Ken Bigley."
The racist Scot also telephoned police, threatening to blow up Glasgow’s Central Mosque.
MacGregor was arrested last year over the anti-Muslim threats.
Instead of being tried by a high court judge on terrorism offences, he was only tried by a sheriff and indicted on a charge of breach of the peace, aggravated by racial hatred.
Double-standards
Scottish Muslims accused the Scottish legal system of applying “double-standards”.
“The authorities have got to explain the apparent discrepancy," Ahmed said.
The SIF chairman said that a Muslim had made similar threats, he would have been dealt with far harsher punishment.
He cited the case of Mohammed Atif Siddique, a student who was jailed for eight years for internet-related terror offences.
The lenient ruling also drew fire from human rights lawyers.
"If a member of a far-Right organisation threatens to murder or cause mayhem, then they are dealt under ancient legislation and existing common law powers,” lawyer Aamer Anwar said.
“If you happen to have a beard and are dark-skinned, then you will be prosecuted under the Terrorism Act.”
Anwar, who represented Siddique, said that there is a perception that the Scottish legal system is applying double standards in prosecuting such cases.
"There is real anger in the community."
There are more than 50,000 Muslims making up less than one percent of the Scottish population, according to the Scottish Islamic Foundation.
Muslims are the second largest religious group in Scotland, which has thirty mosques, including twelve in Glasgow.
A recent government poll found that half of Scots see Muslims as a threat to the country's culture and identity.
CAIRO — A Scottish racist has been released after threatening to kill Muslims until all mosques in the European country are demolished.
"We are calling for consistency,” Asif Ahmed, chairman of the Scottish Islamic Foundation (SIF), told The Scotsman.
A Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday released Neil MacGregor, 36, after he threatened to kill Muslims until all mosques in the country are demolished.
The Court only placed the Scottish racist on three years’ probation despite his anti-Muslim threats.
"I'm a proud racist and National Front member,” MacGregor said in an e-mail sent to Strathclyde Police.
"We as an organisation have decided to deal with the current threat from Muslims in our own British way, like our proud ancestors.
"Our demands are very small. Close all mosques in Scotland,” he said.
"If our demands aren't met by next Friday, we'll kidnap one Muslim and execute him or her on the internet, just like they did to our Ken Bigley."
The racist Scot also telephoned police, threatening to blow up Glasgow’s Central Mosque.
MacGregor was arrested last year over the anti-Muslim threats.
Instead of being tried by a high court judge on terrorism offences, he was only tried by a sheriff and indicted on a charge of breach of the peace, aggravated by racial hatred.
Double-standards
Scottish Muslims accused the Scottish legal system of applying “double-standards”.
“The authorities have got to explain the apparent discrepancy," Ahmed said.
The SIF chairman said that a Muslim had made similar threats, he would have been dealt with far harsher punishment.
He cited the case of Mohammed Atif Siddique, a student who was jailed for eight years for internet-related terror offences.
The lenient ruling also drew fire from human rights lawyers.
"If a member of a far-Right organisation threatens to murder or cause mayhem, then they are dealt under ancient legislation and existing common law powers,” lawyer Aamer Anwar said.
“If you happen to have a beard and are dark-skinned, then you will be prosecuted under the Terrorism Act.”
Anwar, who represented Siddique, said that there is a perception that the Scottish legal system is applying double standards in prosecuting such cases.
"There is real anger in the community."
There are more than 50,000 Muslims making up less than one percent of the Scottish population, according to the Scottish Islamic Foundation.
Muslims are the second largest religious group in Scotland, which has thirty mosques, including twelve in Glasgow.
A recent government poll found that half of Scots see Muslims as a threat to the country's culture and identity.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Muslims shunned from housing societies, Why?
By Dr. Mookhi Amir Ali,
If you want honey, it is said, do not kick the beehive. Kick the beehive is exactly what Emraan Hashmi did when he wanted a particular flat in a particular building. He was refused an NOC by the Housing Society without which the flat cannot be transferred to him. He had reasons to believe that he was denied the NOC because of his being a Muslim. He, in the company of Mahesh Bhatt in front of NDTV camera, went to town on secularism and communal virus etc. Unfortunately their eloquence sounded like the diatribe against majority community and an allegation against one community of persecuting the other.
A complaint has been lodged against Emraan Hashmi under relevant sections. To add to his own woe, Emraan has no proof of being discriminated against on the basis of religion. Society has denied the charge. Emraan Hashmi has a lot to wriggle out from and he eventually will and put the episode behind him.
What he is not going to forget easily is the double whammy he received from Mumbai film industry’s Khan duo; Shahrukh and Salman. They said what Emraan Hashmi is complaining about is something unheard of. It is strange coming from the Khans because they should surely know that there are others, like Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar in the industry, who have experienced the exclusion which Hashmi did. Perhaps the Khans mean to tell us that Muslims should not, forever, keep on whining and that they should ask themselves why it is happening and how to go about setting things right. The two Khans are intelligent people and the community is proud of them. Surely, they should know that if we remain in total denial of the problem, the problem is not going to run away.
The problem which Emraan claims to have faced is an age old problem in the city of Mumbai and elsewhere. Forty years ago my next door neighbour [Agarwal Saab, to me.] repeatedly got assurance from the builder/seller of the flat that there were no Muslims in the building before he bought and occupied the flat next to me, a Muslim. That my family and Agarwal Saab’s family lived like one family for two decades and that, after forty long years, my child and his children exchange regular messages across continents is a different story.
Like Khans of Bollywood I have had an excellent experience from the Hindu community. Born and brought up in a place where there was no Muslim house within a kilometre, I have spent my childhood playing in Hindus‘ houses. Almost all of my classmates, teachers, friends, colleagues and clients have been Hindus. I have lived for nearly forty years as the only Muslim in a housing society. My religion has been much respected by my Hindu neighbours as, indeed, I have respected theirs. My Hindu neighbours and Hindu colleagues would say “sorry” before taking their cup of tea to the lips in the month of Ramazan. I have been the permanent invitee to “puja” in all houses. Much loved and much accepted as their own by Hindus, I sing paeans to their tolerant spirit and their inclusiveness and large-heartedness and feel fortunate to be the citizen of the secular India.
However, it does not make sense to be in such a vehement denial of the realities which the wonderful young men Shahrukh and Salman apparently are. I was heartbroken when I went looking for a flat to buy, as my own building was being redeveloped. Emraan Hashmi was not given the NOC to buy the flat he wanted, but he was not told on his face that the reason for refusal was his faith. I was told so on my face. I saw to my dismay that there are many buildings in the suburbs of Mumbai that do not want a Muslim inmate. There are vast areas where groups of Housing Societies have jointly decided not to let a Muslim live in their locality. Local estate agents have been instructed not to bring in Muslim buyers. In one suburb an estate agent rattled the names of the buildings which were out of bound for Muslims. All this hurt me no end. I have not discussed this with any of my Hindu friends. I have felt embarrassed and humiliated to face the fact that my community is so expansively shunned. But unless the community continuously wants to wallow in the quagmire it is in, it must rise and face the facts, do some soul-searching, go into the reasons of their malady and do some course-correction. The likes of Shahrukh, Salman, Saif and Shabana should take the lead.
The following are a few lines from Dr. Rafiq Zakaria’s book “Communal Rage in Secular India”.
“They should do some introspection and ask whether they have genuinely tried to contribute to the strengthening of Hindu-Muslim relations since Partition. The answer will be no. (Page 191)
“Indian Muslims must open their eyes to the ground reality that an increasing number of Hindus have begun to hate them.” (Page 193). “This is not confined to a small section; it has infected the rich as much as the poor; men as much as women; the young as much as the old; even children are no longer free from it.” (Page 201)
“This is the ugly reality that Muslims have to face in today’s India. They have to do their best to bring about a change in the hostile attitude of the communal Hindus towards them. This is as much in their interest as that of the nation. Muslims continue to live in a make-believe world of their own. [Page 202]
(The author is a social activist and freelance writer based in Mumbai)
If you want honey, it is said, do not kick the beehive. Kick the beehive is exactly what Emraan Hashmi did when he wanted a particular flat in a particular building. He was refused an NOC by the Housing Society without which the flat cannot be transferred to him. He had reasons to believe that he was denied the NOC because of his being a Muslim. He, in the company of Mahesh Bhatt in front of NDTV camera, went to town on secularism and communal virus etc. Unfortunately their eloquence sounded like the diatribe against majority community and an allegation against one community of persecuting the other.
A complaint has been lodged against Emraan Hashmi under relevant sections. To add to his own woe, Emraan has no proof of being discriminated against on the basis of religion. Society has denied the charge. Emraan Hashmi has a lot to wriggle out from and he eventually will and put the episode behind him.
What he is not going to forget easily is the double whammy he received from Mumbai film industry’s Khan duo; Shahrukh and Salman. They said what Emraan Hashmi is complaining about is something unheard of. It is strange coming from the Khans because they should surely know that there are others, like Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar in the industry, who have experienced the exclusion which Hashmi did. Perhaps the Khans mean to tell us that Muslims should not, forever, keep on whining and that they should ask themselves why it is happening and how to go about setting things right. The two Khans are intelligent people and the community is proud of them. Surely, they should know that if we remain in total denial of the problem, the problem is not going to run away.
The problem which Emraan claims to have faced is an age old problem in the city of Mumbai and elsewhere. Forty years ago my next door neighbour [Agarwal Saab, to me.] repeatedly got assurance from the builder/seller of the flat that there were no Muslims in the building before he bought and occupied the flat next to me, a Muslim. That my family and Agarwal Saab’s family lived like one family for two decades and that, after forty long years, my child and his children exchange regular messages across continents is a different story.
Like Khans of Bollywood I have had an excellent experience from the Hindu community. Born and brought up in a place where there was no Muslim house within a kilometre, I have spent my childhood playing in Hindus‘ houses. Almost all of my classmates, teachers, friends, colleagues and clients have been Hindus. I have lived for nearly forty years as the only Muslim in a housing society. My religion has been much respected by my Hindu neighbours as, indeed, I have respected theirs. My Hindu neighbours and Hindu colleagues would say “sorry” before taking their cup of tea to the lips in the month of Ramazan. I have been the permanent invitee to “puja” in all houses. Much loved and much accepted as their own by Hindus, I sing paeans to their tolerant spirit and their inclusiveness and large-heartedness and feel fortunate to be the citizen of the secular India.
However, it does not make sense to be in such a vehement denial of the realities which the wonderful young men Shahrukh and Salman apparently are. I was heartbroken when I went looking for a flat to buy, as my own building was being redeveloped. Emraan Hashmi was not given the NOC to buy the flat he wanted, but he was not told on his face that the reason for refusal was his faith. I was told so on my face. I saw to my dismay that there are many buildings in the suburbs of Mumbai that do not want a Muslim inmate. There are vast areas where groups of Housing Societies have jointly decided not to let a Muslim live in their locality. Local estate agents have been instructed not to bring in Muslim buyers. In one suburb an estate agent rattled the names of the buildings which were out of bound for Muslims. All this hurt me no end. I have not discussed this with any of my Hindu friends. I have felt embarrassed and humiliated to face the fact that my community is so expansively shunned. But unless the community continuously wants to wallow in the quagmire it is in, it must rise and face the facts, do some soul-searching, go into the reasons of their malady and do some course-correction. The likes of Shahrukh, Salman, Saif and Shabana should take the lead.
The following are a few lines from Dr. Rafiq Zakaria’s book “Communal Rage in Secular India”.
“They should do some introspection and ask whether they have genuinely tried to contribute to the strengthening of Hindu-Muslim relations since Partition. The answer will be no. (Page 191)
“Indian Muslims must open their eyes to the ground reality that an increasing number of Hindus have begun to hate them.” (Page 193). “This is not confined to a small section; it has infected the rich as much as the poor; men as much as women; the young as much as the old; even children are no longer free from it.” (Page 201)
“This is the ugly reality that Muslims have to face in today’s India. They have to do their best to bring about a change in the hostile attitude of the communal Hindus towards them. This is as much in their interest as that of the nation. Muslims continue to live in a make-believe world of their own. [Page 202]
(The author is a social activist and freelance writer based in Mumbai)
Assam learns from Tripura how to run tribals' autonomous councils
By IANS,
Agartala : The Congress-led Assam government is learning from the Left Front government in Tripura how to effectively run autonomous district councils for the tribal people.
A five-member ministerial team led by Assam Revenue Minister Bhumidhar Barman is on a three-day visit to Tripura to study the functioning of the politically important Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), which provides tribals constitutional rights to develop their socio-economic position.
"Various ethnic groups in Assam have demanded separate autonomous district councils, but since the tribals are scattered in the different areas it is becoming difficult to constitute autonomous bodies for them," Barman told journalists here Wednesday.
As per the 2001 census, 15.64 percent of the 20.33 million population in Assam is tribal. Prominent among them are the Bodo, Mising, Rabha, Sonowal, Lalung (Tiwa), Deori and Thengal (Mech).
The visiting Assam ministers said Tripura's tribal areas autonomous district councils are seen as role models in the country.
"We have learnt many things about the functioning of the TTAADC in Tripura and it would help us to constitute autonomous councils for the tribals in Assam," Barman said.
Tribal Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Bramha said that Assam currently has three ADCs under the Sixth Schedule of the constitution, but recently six other tribal groups had demanded separate ADCs under the same status.
The team visited several parts of Tripura in the past two days and held a series of meetings with Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and functionaries of the tribal autonomous district councils.
The region is also affected by militancy. According to a central home ministry report, 22 militant outfits are operating in Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland and Mizoram demanding secession or autonomy for the tribals and indigenous people of the region.
Agartala : The Congress-led Assam government is learning from the Left Front government in Tripura how to effectively run autonomous district councils for the tribal people.
A five-member ministerial team led by Assam Revenue Minister Bhumidhar Barman is on a three-day visit to Tripura to study the functioning of the politically important Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), which provides tribals constitutional rights to develop their socio-economic position.
"Various ethnic groups in Assam have demanded separate autonomous district councils, but since the tribals are scattered in the different areas it is becoming difficult to constitute autonomous bodies for them," Barman told journalists here Wednesday.
As per the 2001 census, 15.64 percent of the 20.33 million population in Assam is tribal. Prominent among them are the Bodo, Mising, Rabha, Sonowal, Lalung (Tiwa), Deori and Thengal (Mech).
The visiting Assam ministers said Tripura's tribal areas autonomous district councils are seen as role models in the country.
"We have learnt many things about the functioning of the TTAADC in Tripura and it would help us to constitute autonomous councils for the tribals in Assam," Barman said.
Tribal Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Bramha said that Assam currently has three ADCs under the Sixth Schedule of the constitution, but recently six other tribal groups had demanded separate ADCs under the same status.
The team visited several parts of Tripura in the past two days and held a series of meetings with Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and functionaries of the tribal autonomous district councils.
The region is also affected by militancy. According to a central home ministry report, 22 militant outfits are operating in Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland and Mizoram demanding secession or autonomy for the tribals and indigenous people of the region.
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