‘Make minorities feel safe’

Say activists while slamming government’s attempt to ‘deradicalise’ them.

Activists and scholars have slammed the state government’s new initiative to ‘deradicalise’ minorities. They said it is a deliberate attempt to brand Muslims as ‘radical’ under the guise of bringing them into the mainstream. Instead, the government should make them feel safe, they suggested. The government said it would talk to activists that have objections to its efforts.

A recent GR issued by the home department has listed number of social, educational initiatives for minorities and Muslims in particular. The initiatives include teaching all religious texts in minority schools, teaching merits of democracy and demerits of dictatorship as a chapter in Urdu textbooks, starting vyayam shalas, starting NCC and scouts for schools, etc.

Human Rights activist Ram Puniyani termed it a one-sided attempt. “The government talks about Muslim welfare but does not address the injustice done to them. It does not focus on social-economic conditions of the community. Also, after 26/11 we have seen radical elements like Sadhvi Pragya and Colonel Purohit, who are Hindu, counter Muslims. But extreme acts by them are not considered radical. There is a negative perception about the Muslims and the deradicalisation is one sided,” Mr Puniyani said.

Former minority minister Naseem Khan rubbished the GR and questioned the BJP-led government’s intentions. “We had given reservation to Muslims — which the government has scrapped and now it is talking about welfare of the community through de-radicalisation. It is not even mentioning extreme activities by Hindu groups,” Mr Khan said.

Moghe from All India Democratic Women’s Association questioned the basis of terming the community ‘radicalised’. “On what basis are Muslims being termed radicalised There are examples of VHP being involved in arms training, but the government has not considered them. Muslims are not feeling safe here. The government needs some trust-building exercises for them,” Ms Moghe said.

However, minority affairs minister Eknath Khadse said the government would talk with activists having different views on the issue. “We have taken welfare efforts for all minority communities by taking educational and social measures. We want all the people to cooperate in the initiative,” he said.