The Sachar Committee Report, submitted in 2006, provided a comprehensive analysis of the socio-economic and educational status of Muslims in India. It revealed that the Muslim community lagged behind other social groups in various development indicators, often faring worse than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Key Findings:
- Education: Muslims had lower literacy rates and educational attainment levels compared to other communities. Their representation in premier institutions like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) was minimal, at 1.3% and 1.7%, respectively.
- Employment: The community was underrepresented in government jobs, holding only 6.4% of positions despite constituting a significant portion of the population. In the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), their representation was merely 3% and 4%, respectively.
- Economic Conditions: A significant proportion of Muslims were engaged in self-employment, often in low-paying occupations. Nearly 40% of Muslim households fell under the poorest monthly per capita expenditure category. Recommendations:
The report suggested several measures to address these disparities:
- Equitable Resource Allocation: It recommended that 15% of government funds be allocated to Muslim welfare and development under all central government schemes.
- Equal Opportunities Commission: The establishment of an “Equal Opportunities Commission” was proposed to address the grievances of deprived groups and ensure fair treatment in various sectors.
- Inclusion in Affirmative Action: While not advocating blanket reservations, the report suggested that disadvantaged Muslim groups, comparable to Hindu OBCs, be included in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category to benefit from affirmative action policies.
Post-Report Developments:
Subsequent evaluations indicated limited progress:
- Government Employment: By 2016, Muslim representation in the IAS and IPS remained low, at 3.32% and 3.19%, respectively.
- Education: While there were improvements in literacy rates among Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the gains for Muslims were comparatively modest, leading to a widening educational gap.
- Economic Inclusion: Access to institutional credit for Muslims remained limited, with the community receiving a disproportionately low share of priority sector lending.
By BHARAT GLOBAL TIME
