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Journalism of Courage
Vice-President Hamid Ansari on Tuesday sought to echo concerns raised by many about the absence of minority representation in the decision-making process and sections of minorities not benefiting equally despite the Constitution providing for equality to all citizens and prohibiting discrimination on various grounds. He said the national progress would be retarded and slanted if every fifth citizen is left out of it.
Addressing the annual conference of State Minorities Commissions,he said an assessment of the ground reality pertaining to minorities should cover areas of identity,security,share in the fruits of development and role in decision-making.
The equity question,he said,has been a perennial one. We know that equality before the law,quality of opportunity in matters of public employment and prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion,race,caste sex or place of birth are fundamental rights but despite these safeguards,many amongst the minorities have not benefited equally or in adequate measure, he said.
He touched upon implementation of UPA governments various scholarship schemes for minorities and its infrastructure development programme in 90 minority concentrated districts launched after the Justice Sachar and Ranganath Misra committee reports. Their implementation was uneven; the scholarships benefited a good number but reports about the identified districts are less emphatic. Access to credit remains a recurring grievance, he said.
Speaking on the occasion,Minority Affairs Minister K Rahman Khan said more than the minorities,it was the responsibility of majorities to fight forces which try to disturb the harmony in the country.
The occasional outburst of clashes and after-effect is a blot on Indian secularism and its culture. More than the minority,it is the responsibility of the majority to fight such elements,in their own interest and in the interest of the nation, he said.
