No reservation

What a pity! The self-proclaimed messiahs of the backward communities and minorities in our Parliament did not have the numbers to stop the discriminating, Manuwadi Bill for women's reservationu00a0 in the highest decision-making body of the country.

Poor chaps, apart from licking their wounds inflicted by being sidelined after the two principal parties joined the issue, they bore the brunt of the media for their 'anti-women' stand.

I have never been a supporter of reservation, of any kind, as I believe it breeds nothing but incompetence. But I don't want to delve into the merits of caste-based reservation, especially that for the scheduled castes. Yet, I would like to ask the 'well-wishers' of Muslim women what they have done in their respective tenures as chief ministers of the two largest north Indian states.

The pathetic participation of the Muslims in the political space of this country needs some attention

Most of you would agree that nothing changed, at least for the better, for women, when our hoarse friends took the reins of power. And now, out of power, out of favour from the electorate, their love for the minority community (read Muslims) has suddenly cropped up. I only have to tell them that please stop begging for reservation for Muslims.

The Sachar Committee documented, officially, the pitiable condition of Muslims in the country. As a consequence, the Prime Minister announced a dedicated ministry for the welfare of minorities. What has it achieved, so far? Nothing. Reservation, I am sure, would meet the same fate. It would only go to intensify the lethargy and regressive attitude that the community is suffering from. If they really want to become first-class citizens of this country, they have to earn it rather than getting it as alms.

For our politician friends, it would only be too proficient if they come up with concrete policies and programmes for the alleviation of the poor of this country, wherever they are, whatever their creed, caste and religion is. There is no law that stops the poor, backward and downtrodden from taking benefits of the schemes meant for their welfare. But, the problem is that they are far and few.

As far as the Muslims are concerned, yes, their pathetic participation in the political space of this country needs some attention. But, I believe it would require a lot more than reservation to help the situation. A community ghettoised by politicians, mentioned in the first lines of this article, will not come out of its cocoon unless the general health improves.

Yasir Ali is Head Newsdesk, MiD DAY, Delhi