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Journalism of Courage
Celebrate the record number of Muslim students at IIT,but remember that change must run deeper
This year,the IIT-JEE ushered in a remarkable change. For the first time in the tests history,nearly 400 Muslim students have made it to the IITs. Most of them have fought disproportionate odds,and the 4.5 per cent minority subquota within the OBC quota has also contributed. Given the Ranganath Mishra Commissions recommendations,and what the Sachar Committee revealed about the deprivation levels among Muslims and their lack of opportunity,this heave up through affirmative action was clearly a good idea. These young men and women deserve to be celebrated.
However,the transformation needs to run much deeper,and start lower down. Primary school enrollment and attendance must be strengthened and scholarships extended. Policy should focus on the structures of disadvantage,like class and regional location,or gender. For instance,many Muslim women may be badly off not simply because of religious conservatism but because they are poor,female,and Muslim. The UP governments recent establishment of scholarships for Muslim girls is a way of clearing up a system so intimidatingly stacked against them. Any political intervention or policy move that advances educational inclusion must be applauded. Only then can the happy story at the IITs be deepened.
