Oct.1, 1982
Editorial: “Plight of the Minority Commission”.
Here we are dealing not with the plight of India’s vast persecuted minorities but with the plight of the Minority Commission appointed by the Govt. of India to look Into the plight of minorities-Muslims (11.21%). Christians (2.60%), Sikhs (1.89%), Buddhists etc. Chairman of the Commission Justice M.H. Beg has complained of non-cooperation (Statesman, July 17, 82). That the Commission’s report itself Is about two years old and it was placed before Parliament only on Aug.3, 1982 shows how the govt, treats the Commission. Sadder still is how India’s “national press” treats this report concerning a fifth of India’s population. Hardly any newspaper thought It worth publishing. If this is the treatment given to the Minority Commission Report placed before Parliament, one can will imagine the treatment of minorities in India. The Commission Itself had a chequered career, Appointed by the short- lived Janata Govt ., its two successive chairmen, M.R. Masani and Justice MR Ansari, had to resign in disgust and retire without getting further extension, respectively. Despite repeated pleas, the Commission has not yet been conferred the constitutional status. But who is to give it? Even if itis given what is the use of this status when there is no will to implement Its report? The problem of India is that its govt, Is governed by its ruling class. India’s two largest communities – Muslims and Christians – have been faithfully voting for the ruling Congress. At least this loyalty should have persuaded the govt. to concede the Commission’s legitimate demands. When such a simple demand cannot be met, how then the minorities can expect it to protect their life and property? The UP govt. did not allow the Commission to visit places where Muslims were killed. Even the most serious Moradabad riot in which about 1,000 Muslims were killed while doing Id-prayers, it could study after several months of the bloodbath. To poison young minds, Hindu fascists are using school books. A Maharashtra govt. book says, “The world is ruled by fools and the church is ruled by super fools”. Hindu teachers in UP are writing on black boards that “A Muslim eats seven cows during his life time. A. Hindu will be saving seven cows If one Muslim is killed”. RSS has engaged some historians to rewrite Indian history. Muslims are killed in India not because they are poor but because they are Muslims. The religious prejudice is the reason. This applies to Dalits and Christians as well. The cause is the deep-seated Hindu prejudice. Under some vague pretext, the press does not identify the victims of riots. The excuse is that such a publicity may encourage more violence. The solution to this is to prevent riots and not curbing it after starting one. Since this very same press is so much concerned about the “freedom of the press”, why not it set an example by publishing the names of the victims of the communal riots?
Hinduism Vs. Untouchables’ Movement in India:
Paper presented by V.T. Rajshekar at the Christian Conference of Asta at Colombo.
“Harijan” word banned: Mrs. Shella Kaul, the Minister of State for Education announced this in the Lok Sabha on Aug.5 1982.
Sue Satya Sai Baba for sodomy: Letter addressed to the Union Home Minister by the President, Indian Rationalists’ Association, Y.A. Lokhandwala, Bombay,
