By TCN News,
Bangalore: While welcoming the West Bengal government’s decision to give 10% reservation to Muslims in the OBC category the Popular Front of India has demanded that the state Muslims should have at least 20% quota given their population there. PFI has termed the decision of Andhra Pradesh High Court to quash the 4% reservation to Muslims there as unfortunate and one revealing communal bias.
“Popular Front of India welcomes the decision of the West Bengal state government to earmark 10% for ‘Backward Muslims’, even though a specific reaction to the issue is not possible now because an executive order is still awaited. However we learn that the government plan is to include much more Muslims occupational groups to the list of Other Backward Classes who enjoy at present 7% reservation in employment. So far only 2% share of OBC reservation is enjoyed by Muslims who constitute 26% of the state population. It is not clear whether the new quota will be over and above the existing 7% raising the total OBC quota into 17% and also whether the new 10% quota will be separately reserved for Muslims,” said OMA Salam, party secretary.
PFI has urged the West Bengal government to follow the Kerala model.
“According to the available official statistics, the present share of Muslims in state government is below 4%. Hence in order to achieve the target of adequate representation on par with population strength, the new quota of 10% is not sufficient. We demand the state government to make the Muslim quota minimum 20%. The Misra Commission has recommended 10% in the central service and education based on the all India Muslim population of 13.4%. It is also worth notice that Kerala Muslims are entitled to get 12% reservation, even though their population percentage is less than that in West Bengal. Let the West Bengal take the model from Kerala which is also being ruled by CPI (M) led Left Front.”
“We would like to bring to the notice of West Bengal government that a class of people is eligible for reservation based on their relative backwardness and the Muslim community in the state is proved to be more backward than all other communities including the Hindu OBCs who now enjoy reservation. Hence it is unjust to exclude any section of Muslim community from reservation and to limit the benefit to a few groups among them. As it prevails in Kerala and Karnataka since many years, there are no constitutional and legal constraints to declare the entire Muslim community as a backward class eligible for reservation.”
Also we urge the West Bengal government to extend the job reservation benefit to all quasi-government sections, cooperative sector, companies with government share and public sector undertakings. Separate quota of seats are to be reserved for Muslims in admission to educational institutions at all levels including all under -graduate, post graduate, technical and professional courses.
“The decision of the Andhra Pradesh High Court which once again quashed state government decision to earmark 4% reservation to Muslims is unfortunate and reveals the communal and casteist bias that governs a section of the judiciary. The observation that Andhra Pradesh act is religion-specific and potentially an encouragement to conversion, is baseless and highly prejudiced. This reference to conversion shows the influence of Hindutva mentality and is unwarranted,” said PFI secretary.
The developments in West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh are indications for the Muslim community to continue the struggle for the fulfillment of their right to equity and justice.
Popular Front of India has begun a two-month long National Campaign for Muslim Reservation from Pune on 31st January 2010. As part of this campaign, West Bengal state committee of PFI has started a caravan today from Kolkata which will conclude with a mass meeting in Musrshidabad on 20th February after covering all the Muslim dominated regions in the state. Similar programmes are being undertaken in other states also.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Demand for Muslim reservation grow louder
By TCN Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: The National Movement for Muslim Reservation (NMMR) in its one step forward to press the demand for Muslim reservation (as recommended by Rangnath Mishra Commission) organized a National Meet of Reservation Activists here at India Islamic Cultural Centre today. NMMR demanded inclusion of Muslims and Christian Dalits in SC lists and reservation for religious minorities.
While putting their demands, Muslim activists from across the nation said, “We demand reservation for Muslims because they are 1/6th of the Indian population and it can’t develop without development of Muslims”.
Saiyid Hamid, eminent educationist, Chancellor of Hamdard University and former member of Sachar Committee, while inaugurating the meet confessed, “Earlier, I used to equate reservation for Muslims against the dignity and self-esteem of the community. But I was wrong and mistaken”. Recalling his experience, Mr. Hamid said, “My tireless efforts and engagement in the field of community development over a period of three decades made me rethink about my earlier stand, and as a result of that now I think , it is the need of hour that Muslim should get reservation at the earliest.”
Earlier, Syed Shahabuddin, Convener of NMMR in his introductory remarks informed, “Unlike other meet, this is not a public program rather a process of collective thinking to lay down broad strategy and concrete plan of action”.
Eminent economist and former member Secretary, Sachar Committee, Dr. Abu Saleh Shareef in his opening remarks urged, “We have to make concrete and constant efforts to turn our demand of reservation for Muslims into reality.” He further said, “Today Muslims are one of the most backward and unprivileged sections of our country as clearly noted by Sachar Committee report. Hence, it is the duty of government to provide reservations to Muslims”.
Joining the discussion, P A Inamdar, famous educationist and leader of backward classes in Maharashtra talked about problems at state levels and suggested to fulfill all the legal requirements for reservation. He also asked the house to think about, how the discrepancies in state and central lists of OBCs corrected.
Shahid Siddiqui, former MP and Editor, Nai Duniya Urdu Weekly said, “All apprehensions and allegations regarding the movement are baseless but this demand can be only turned into reality by consistent and concentrated efforts”. Mr. Siddiqui also suggested working on all fronts – legal, administrative, political, public as well as media simultaneously.
Explaining the Bengal experience, Siddiqullah Chaudhary, who has recently succeeded to avail 10 percent reservation for OBC Muslims in West Bangal called for political empowerment and unity. “It’s all matter of strength, until you show power, you will not be given your even legitimate due. That’s what we have learned”, he asserted.
Later, in his presidential remarks of second session of the meet, Zafar Saifullah, former Cabinet Secretary, Govt. of India hoped that Muslims will get the reservation because it is their legitimate right. He also said, primarily Muslims are not getting reservation benefit because of lack of political will.
Syed Shahabuddin, Convener of NMMR while talking to TCN about future plan of action said, “We will use all democratic methods to put forward our demands and that will be decided time to time as per the requirement”.
Others who spoke at the occasion and expressed their solidarity include Akhtarul Iman, MLA Bihar, Abdul Hameed Nomani, Secretary, Jamiat Ulema Hind, Mujtaba Farooq, Secretary, Jamaat e Islami Hind, Prof. Humayun Murad, Shabbir Ahmad Khan, Muslim members of political parties including BJP.
http://twocircles.net/2010feb10/demand_muslim_reservation_grow_louder.html
New Delhi: The National Movement for Muslim Reservation (NMMR) in its one step forward to press the demand for Muslim reservation (as recommended by Rangnath Mishra Commission) organized a National Meet of Reservation Activists here at India Islamic Cultural Centre today. NMMR demanded inclusion of Muslims and Christian Dalits in SC lists and reservation for religious minorities.
While putting their demands, Muslim activists from across the nation said, “We demand reservation for Muslims because they are 1/6th of the Indian population and it can’t develop without development of Muslims”.
Saiyid Hamid, eminent educationist, Chancellor of Hamdard University and former member of Sachar Committee, while inaugurating the meet confessed, “Earlier, I used to equate reservation for Muslims against the dignity and self-esteem of the community. But I was wrong and mistaken”. Recalling his experience, Mr. Hamid said, “My tireless efforts and engagement in the field of community development over a period of three decades made me rethink about my earlier stand, and as a result of that now I think , it is the need of hour that Muslim should get reservation at the earliest.”
Earlier, Syed Shahabuddin, Convener of NMMR in his introductory remarks informed, “Unlike other meet, this is not a public program rather a process of collective thinking to lay down broad strategy and concrete plan of action”.
Eminent economist and former member Secretary, Sachar Committee, Dr. Abu Saleh Shareef in his opening remarks urged, “We have to make concrete and constant efforts to turn our demand of reservation for Muslims into reality.” He further said, “Today Muslims are one of the most backward and unprivileged sections of our country as clearly noted by Sachar Committee report. Hence, it is the duty of government to provide reservations to Muslims”.
Joining the discussion, P A Inamdar, famous educationist and leader of backward classes in Maharashtra talked about problems at state levels and suggested to fulfill all the legal requirements for reservation. He also asked the house to think about, how the discrepancies in state and central lists of OBCs corrected.
Shahid Siddiqui, former MP and Editor, Nai Duniya Urdu Weekly said, “All apprehensions and allegations regarding the movement are baseless but this demand can be only turned into reality by consistent and concentrated efforts”. Mr. Siddiqui also suggested working on all fronts – legal, administrative, political, public as well as media simultaneously.
Explaining the Bengal experience, Siddiqullah Chaudhary, who has recently succeeded to avail 10 percent reservation for OBC Muslims in West Bangal called for political empowerment and unity. “It’s all matter of strength, until you show power, you will not be given your even legitimate due. That’s what we have learned”, he asserted.
Later, in his presidential remarks of second session of the meet, Zafar Saifullah, former Cabinet Secretary, Govt. of India hoped that Muslims will get the reservation because it is their legitimate right. He also said, primarily Muslims are not getting reservation benefit because of lack of political will.
Syed Shahabuddin, Convener of NMMR while talking to TCN about future plan of action said, “We will use all democratic methods to put forward our demands and that will be decided time to time as per the requirement”.
Others who spoke at the occasion and expressed their solidarity include Akhtarul Iman, MLA Bihar, Abdul Hameed Nomani, Secretary, Jamiat Ulema Hind, Mujtaba Farooq, Secretary, Jamaat e Islami Hind, Prof. Humayun Murad, Shabbir Ahmad Khan, Muslim members of political parties including BJP.
http://twocircles.net/2010feb10/demand_muslim_reservation_grow_louder.html
Muslims are facing identity, security and equity problems in India: K.M Sharief
By TCN News
Riyadh (Saudi Arabia): In the present India, Muslims are undergoing identity, security and equity crises, said Popular Front of India’s K.M shareif talking in a symposium “Present situation of Muslims in India” organized recently by Indian Fraternity Forum(IFF) Karnataka chapter, Riyadh unit in Halfmoon Auditorium Batha, Riaydh.
The Programme started with Qira’th from Janab Jafar Faizi, followed by that the patriotic song “sare jahan se acha, Hindustan hamara” was sung by Brother Aris Kalladka and Dawood Soorinje.
Abdul Majeed Vitla, the president of IFF Karnataka , Riyadh unit, welcomed the gathering and explained various activities done by IFF. He said that IFF is helping to solve the problems of NRIs over here. This is the only NGO which has units for all the Indian states and each state unit takes the responsibility of the NRIs of respective states and tries to solve their problems through the help of Indian embassy. He said, for the past one year they have been able to attend 600 cases in Riyadh alone. Majeed said that IFF which started helping Hajj pilgrims with 50 volunteers has been able to increase its number to 1000 volunteers last year.
Saudi Arabia’s IFF co-ordinator Janab Abdul Basheer Calicut inaugurated the function and said that Karnataka Unit of IFF was doing great job and asked the gathering to join IFF to serve the community.
Addressing a packed out gathering Mr. Shareif, who is said “Constitution asks the government to plan for the Over all development of all citizens, but over the years successive governments have neglected this issue. In the past 62 years after independence minorities and dalits have been deprived of their due rights. Communal organizations have been able to consolidate their influence due to ineffective governments and many a time government has openly encouraged communal groups, he said. He said that “due to capitalism only small part of the people were benefited and other people remained poor, and Corruption has become a business for politicians.”
Muslims in India are not even getting basic requirements. Muslims in India should have been actively engaged in fighting for their basic requirements; however they are more engaged in proving their patriotism due to the manipulation and propaganda of vested interests. Name of a Muslim or his beard is considered as source of threat. Muslims face discrimination in law, education and even in banking sector, he said. As a community, they are often profiled as terrorists and frequently many Muslim youths are apprehended, detained without cause, and face prolonged prosecution. State complicity in communal backlash, lack of impartial investigation is also hurting the sentiments and self confidence of Muslims in India, he added.
Mr. Haris Ahmed Suratkal secretary, Riyadh unit explained IFF activities through a presentation and proposed the vote of thanks. Mr. Haris Angaragundi compered the program.
Riyadh (Saudi Arabia): In the present India, Muslims are undergoing identity, security and equity crises, said Popular Front of India’s K.M shareif talking in a symposium “Present situation of Muslims in India” organized recently by Indian Fraternity Forum(IFF) Karnataka chapter, Riyadh unit in Halfmoon Auditorium Batha, Riaydh.
The Programme started with Qira’th from Janab Jafar Faizi, followed by that the patriotic song “sare jahan se acha, Hindustan hamara” was sung by Brother Aris Kalladka and Dawood Soorinje.
Abdul Majeed Vitla, the president of IFF Karnataka , Riyadh unit, welcomed the gathering and explained various activities done by IFF. He said that IFF is helping to solve the problems of NRIs over here. This is the only NGO which has units for all the Indian states and each state unit takes the responsibility of the NRIs of respective states and tries to solve their problems through the help of Indian embassy. He said, for the past one year they have been able to attend 600 cases in Riyadh alone. Majeed said that IFF which started helping Hajj pilgrims with 50 volunteers has been able to increase its number to 1000 volunteers last year.
Saudi Arabia’s IFF co-ordinator Janab Abdul Basheer Calicut inaugurated the function and said that Karnataka Unit of IFF was doing great job and asked the gathering to join IFF to serve the community.
Addressing a packed out gathering Mr. Shareif, who is said “Constitution asks the government to plan for the Over all development of all citizens, but over the years successive governments have neglected this issue. In the past 62 years after independence minorities and dalits have been deprived of their due rights. Communal organizations have been able to consolidate their influence due to ineffective governments and many a time government has openly encouraged communal groups, he said. He said that “due to capitalism only small part of the people were benefited and other people remained poor, and Corruption has become a business for politicians.”
Muslims in India are not even getting basic requirements. Muslims in India should have been actively engaged in fighting for their basic requirements; however they are more engaged in proving their patriotism due to the manipulation and propaganda of vested interests. Name of a Muslim or his beard is considered as source of threat. Muslims face discrimination in law, education and even in banking sector, he said. As a community, they are often profiled as terrorists and frequently many Muslim youths are apprehended, detained without cause, and face prolonged prosecution. State complicity in communal backlash, lack of impartial investigation is also hurting the sentiments and self confidence of Muslims in India, he added.
Mr. Haris Ahmed Suratkal secretary, Riyadh unit explained IFF activities through a presentation and proposed the vote of thanks. Mr. Haris Angaragundi compered the program.
Yanukovych wins Ukraine presidential vote
By RIA Novosti,
Kiev : Former prime minister Viktor Yanukovych received 48.95 percent of the vote in the second round of Ukraine's presidential election, 3.48 percent more than his opponent Yulia Tymoshenko, election authorities said Wednesday after completing the vote count.
With all the votes counted, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko had 45.47 percent of the votes, a Central Election Commission official said.
Tymoshenko has said in post-election comments that she would challenge the result.
Kiev : Former prime minister Viktor Yanukovych received 48.95 percent of the vote in the second round of Ukraine's presidential election, 3.48 percent more than his opponent Yulia Tymoshenko, election authorities said Wednesday after completing the vote count.
With all the votes counted, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko had 45.47 percent of the votes, a Central Election Commission official said.
Tymoshenko has said in post-election comments that she would challenge the result.
Foreign students working illegally to be expelled from Britain
By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS,
London : Foreign students from outside Europe will be deported from Britain if they are found to be working illegally, the British government said Wednesday.
The British home ministry issued the warning while giving out details of new rules for foreign students, effective immediately, that it said are aimed at stopping 'bogus students' from coming into the country.
The new regulations will ensure that students studying below degree level have a limited ability to work in Britain and that their dependants cannot work here at all.
"It will be even harder for bogus students, whose only aim is to work in the UK, to come into the country," the home ministry said.
The new measures include:
* A good standard of English (equivalent of holding just below a GCSE qualification - year 11 in school - in a foreign language) will be needed to come to Britain and study to improve English language competency further;
* A good standard of English (again equivalent of holding just below a GCSE in a foreign language) will need to be demonstrated in order to study any other course below degree level;
* Restricting the lowest level courses (A-levels, or year 13 in school, and equivalent) to only the most trusted institutions;
* Halving the amount of time a student studying below first degree level or on a foundation degree course, will be able to work, to just 10 hours during term time;
* A ban on bringing in dependants for anyone studying a course for less than six months; and
* A ban on dependants of anyone studying a course lower than foundation or undergraduate degree level from working - they will face removal from Britain if found doing so.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: "We want foreign students to come here to study, not to work illegally, and today we have set out necessary steps which will maintain the robustness of the system we introduced last year. I make no apologies for that."
India ranks second only to China in the list of countries with the most number of students in British institutions.
Alongside, the government also announced that from 2011 it will put in place a new points-based test for people applying to become permanent residents.
From 2011, anyone wishing to become a permanent resident will have to show they have the qualifications or skills that the British economy needs, or are living in parts of the country where there are specific skills shortages that they can fill. They will also have to demonstrate that they could speak good English for their application to be successful.
London : Foreign students from outside Europe will be deported from Britain if they are found to be working illegally, the British government said Wednesday.
The British home ministry issued the warning while giving out details of new rules for foreign students, effective immediately, that it said are aimed at stopping 'bogus students' from coming into the country.
The new regulations will ensure that students studying below degree level have a limited ability to work in Britain and that their dependants cannot work here at all.
"It will be even harder for bogus students, whose only aim is to work in the UK, to come into the country," the home ministry said.
The new measures include:
* A good standard of English (equivalent of holding just below a GCSE qualification - year 11 in school - in a foreign language) will be needed to come to Britain and study to improve English language competency further;
* A good standard of English (again equivalent of holding just below a GCSE in a foreign language) will need to be demonstrated in order to study any other course below degree level;
* Restricting the lowest level courses (A-levels, or year 13 in school, and equivalent) to only the most trusted institutions;
* Halving the amount of time a student studying below first degree level or on a foundation degree course, will be able to work, to just 10 hours during term time;
* A ban on bringing in dependants for anyone studying a course for less than six months; and
* A ban on dependants of anyone studying a course lower than foundation or undergraduate degree level from working - they will face removal from Britain if found doing so.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: "We want foreign students to come here to study, not to work illegally, and today we have set out necessary steps which will maintain the robustness of the system we introduced last year. I make no apologies for that."
India ranks second only to China in the list of countries with the most number of students in British institutions.
Alongside, the government also announced that from 2011 it will put in place a new points-based test for people applying to become permanent residents.
From 2011, anyone wishing to become a permanent resident will have to show they have the qualifications or skills that the British economy needs, or are living in parts of the country where there are specific skills shortages that they can fill. They will also have to demonstrate that they could speak good English for their application to be successful.
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