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 India:
Murshidabad reflects the plight of Muslims
By Mohammad Naushad Khan
The
Milli Gazette
Murshidabad district in West Bengal with almost 65
percent Muslim population has been governed by both the Congress and the
Left since Independence. But the pathetic conditions of Muslims of this
district reveal the utmost neglect over the years by the leaders no matter
to which party they belonged to. It seems the road to development has so
far not reached this district. The overall picture of the district appears
to be grim and wears a deserted look in terms of progress and prosperity.
The figures provided by different sources project the indifferent attitude
towards the Muslims of Murshidabad in particular and the rest of West
Bengal in general. More than six decades down the line since Independence,
60 percent of the people living here are below poverty line. According to
the Central Government figures, the district is the poorest in the
country. With no better means of proper roads, transport and communication
the district appears to be the replica of an ancient civilisation.
Hundreds have lost their lives due to starvation and thousands more live
on the margins without proper facilities to meet their ends for better
livelihood.
Picture: A scene from Murshidabad
The traditional occupation here remains weaving and farming. But this too
can only flourish only when assistance is provided by concerned
authorities. No proper schooling facility exists in the entire district.
And even if some are educated, they do not get the opportunity to use
their skills in their respective fields. Being economically backward, they
find it almost difficult to move to other places in search of better
opportunities to earn their livelihood. According to Khajim Ahmad, a
renowned scholar and councillor of Murshidabad, says “No development took
place in Murshidabad during the Marxist regime. The Sachar Committee
report showed that the only industry that flourished here is smuggling and
human trafficking.”
Tajuddin Sheikh of Murshidabad said “My son is the first in the family to
have studied so much. I know many other people in and around our area who
are desperately in need of jobs or other financial assistance. The
Marxists have not done anything for us. Unless the government introduces
reservation in government jobs and education, Muslims cannot progress.”
Even the National Employment Rural Guarantee Scheme has not been
implemented completely. It can be of some help to the neglected sections
of the Muslim community. There could be great respite for the people of
this area if the recommendations of the Sachar Committee report are
implemented on the ground. Well-wishers and NGOs working for the
development of this area needed to be encouraged and promoted so that they
can put their maximum effort for the overall growth of this area. New
employment opportunities should be generated to provide jobs to the
emerging educated youth of the place.
Former principal of Giyagunj Rani Dhanya Kumari College, Mujibur Rehman
said that “A middle class has emerged among Muslims and they are demanding
jobs. And their anger has been turned towards the Marxists. Minorities
here are traditionally Congress supporters.” Post-Independence, Muslims
here stood more or less by the Congress, a tradition started by the then
Nawab of Murshidabad Kazim Mirza. After partition, the creamy layer in the
Muslim community went to Pakistan. Those who stayed in India were mostly
landless labourers, weavers and carpenters. More or less their condition
remains the same till date.
Now there will be a new government at the Centre without CPIM support. The
ally of Congress in West Bengal Trinamool Congress has performed
remarkably well this time. There is a sense of hope among the people that
the condition of Muslims in these areas may improve if just a little
attention is paid to the development of this area.
[To help Charity Alliance in their social work at
Murshidabad please visit: www.charityalliance.in]
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