Afzal Guru’s hanging
THE high-profile Indian Parliament attack ended up with the hanging of Afzal Guru in a Delhi jail last week. The Indian court wrote in the judgment that though there was no direct evidence, Guru should be hanged to satisfy the collective conscience of the nation.
What is meant by the collective conscience of the nation? Does the Indian nation get satisfaction over hanging of an alleged convict on whom the case evidence is not complete?
This is the state of justice in world’s largest democracy. The plight of Muslims is evident, be it Kashmir, Jharkand, Assam, Mumbai or Gujrat. They are facing a scenario unprecedented in the world.
The distribution of power and quotas in India also keeps Muslims excluded. Take the example of the UP state: the distribution of quotas for jobs and education is: 23 per cent to scheduled castes, 25 per cent to backward classes (Bahojan Samaj), two per cent for the armed forces, while the remaining 46 to 48 per cent go to Brahmans.
Muslims can only seek two to four per cent seats while their population is more than 20 per cent in the state and 73 per cent of the minorities’ population.
Even then they say that India is a secular state while the system easily excludes Muslims from their due rights.
Indian Muslims are patriotic to their country even after such atrocities because they do not have any other alternative. Beyond their borders they see us fighting each other on ethnic grounds.
It is evident that Indian civil society is taking a pragmatic and optimistic approach towards this alienation of Muslims in Indian society.
DR TARIQ ALI
Karachi
If Indian Muslims want religion based reservations in govt jobs, they should migrate to Pakistan where they will get 100% reservation.
Tariq saheb, In India there is constitutional provision for job reservations (only govt jobs) for Scheduled castes (15%) scheduled tribes( 7.50%) and other backward castes (27%). There is no reservation for so called upper castes. They, along with Muslims have to to aspire for the remaining 51% govt jobs. Muslims don’t benefit from reservations because Muslims are not supposed to have any disadvantaged groups. By the way, upper caste Hindus are as much anguished by caste based reservations as any one else. But the other side of the story is that govt jobs are only a small fraction of the job market in India. Usually lazy and incompetent people aspire for them. Thanks to the booming economy, it is the private sector which offers the real plum jobs. I am sure your Muslim brothers will find themselves competent enough to bag them. Further, given the sad plight of Muslims in India, I am sure there must be a beeline of Muslims at Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi for a Pak visa? But you know very well, as acknowledged in your article, that Muslims are indeed better off in India than in Pakistan. There are problems in India, but we will get over them in due course. But Pakistan’s health is so bad that it’s pain will only end with the final disintegration of the half-nation. Just watch – Baluchistan is the second step after East Pakistan.
Tariq Ali Saab, Yeh bahut accha mazzak hai “while the remaining 46 to 48 per cent go to Brahmans”. Even Brahmins will be shocked to hear this. I agree you do not like India but atleast your logic and reasoning should not desert you. Strange your hatred for India is blind…
@Author – What about the plight of Pakistani Muslims in Pakistan?
DR TARIQ ALI ….Did you buy your fake doctorate from a Pakistan university…Oh!!! you must be following the footsteps of your politicians. Where did you get the data?
I am not for or aganist any religion for all religions as that are practiced are dogmas only. I however wish to point out to my Pakistani friends that most of the well todo ,professional ,and progressive Muslim groups in india are also the less obsessed about religion .
Hey Tariq, What kind of doctor you are? You think Indian muslims are patriotic because they don’t have alternative ? We Indians will love to see your government makes Pakistan a better place to live and accepts some willing muslims from India. It is a win win situation for citizens at both side.
Dr. Tariq Ali,
Since you a “Doctor”, I don’t need to point out the obvious factual blunders in your letter. I am assuming you gathered it through some process that you figured was credible. Plus several other readers have pointed them out already. Which leaves two options – a) you are a liar without a conscience or b) you are complete moron. Which one are you? Or are you a blend of both?
Indian Muslims must migrate to Pakistan if they are not happy with what they have in India. Christians, Jews, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists all do well in India and have a share of the national success far ahead of tehir numbers. If Muslims don’t have it, that because of their leaders, their mullahs and tehir attitudes. They should not expect anything more in India for the majority of us (includes all other minorities other than Muslims) will not allow any affirmative action to benefit Muslims based on their faith. Pakistan was reserved for them and they must go there if they are not happy with their bag of goods.