Affirmative Action for Muslims in India

Recently, report titled ‘Rethinking Affirmative Action for Muslims in Contemporary India’ was released. This document is the first comprehensive assessment of government policies concerning affirmative action for Muslims in a decade. It marks the historical context of Muslim backwardness as a policy issue and examines the evolution of state approaches over time.

Historical Context of Muslim Backwardness

The issue of Muslim backwardness gained prominence in 2006 with the UPA government’s introduction of the Prime Minister’s 15-point Programme for Minorities. This initiative aimed to address the socio-economic concerns of minority communities. Prior to this, the Ranganath Misra Commission and the Sachar Committee had identified Muslims as a marginalised group needing targeted policies.

Evolution of Government Policies

The BJP-led NDA government, which came to power in 2014, adopted a broader vision encapsulated in the slogan “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas.” This approach shifted the focus from exclusive Muslim empowerment to inclusive welfare for all communities, reshaping existing policies and frameworks.

Key Themes of the Recent Report

The report explores four main themes.

1. It analyses the changing nature of the state regarding social welfare, coining the term “charitable state.”
2. It critiques the current policy framework through the lens of official documents, particularly those from NITI Aayog.
3. It assesses the educational and economic status of Muslims using official data.
4. It investigates the perceptions and aspirations of Muslims regarding their socio-economic conditions.

Educational Status of Muslims

Muslims, particularly school-age children, have low participation in higher education levels, although there has been a slight increase recently. Their representation in post-secondary education is the lowest among all socio-religious groups. Despite some access to private schooling, they still lag behind Hindu forward castes and Other Backward Classes.

Employment and Economic Position

Muslims continue to experience material deprivation. While other disadvantaged groups have seen improvements in employment, Muslims have not. Their access to regular salaried jobs remains limited, and they struggle to enter white-collar professions, despite higher education levels.

Recommendations for Future Action

• The report proposes two foundational principles for revising affirmative action – secularisation of social policy and a positive portrayal of Muslim cultural identity.
• It outlines seven specific recommendations, including the need for rational sub-categorisation of OBCs, inclusion of Dalit Muslims and Christians in SC categories, and a reassessment of the 50% reservation cap.
• The report also emphasises collaboration with the private sector and strengthening community organisations.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2025

Category: Government Schemes Current Affairs