Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Thursday wrote to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seeking her attention to the “pathetic and miserable condition” of the Muslim minority in the state.
“I wish to draw your kind attention to the very pathetic and miserable condition of the Muslim minority in West Bengal. At the national level and also at the state level there is a huge Ministry for welfare of minorities. Every year programmes and policies are framed for the welfare of minorities but their social and economic condition has not improved at all,” Chowdhury wrote in the letter.
Talking about the West Bengal Minority Commission which act as watch dog for the rights of the minorities, the MP said that even though he is an MP for the 5th term, he has never been called or consulted on this matter which shows the sorry state of functioning of Ministry.
“In West Bengal, we have a very important body for the welfare of minorities called the West Bengal Minority Commission. The job of the Minority Commission is to act as watch dog for the rights of the minorities and give important recommendations for the welfare of the minorities. It is understood that the recommendations are framed after consultations with public representatives and other stakeholders in the society. However, I may like to point out that I have never been called or consulted on this matter though I am a Member of Parliament for the 5th term. It clearly shows the very sorry state of functioning of your Ministry for monitories as well as the State Minority Commission,” he wrote.
The MP said he represents Berhampore parliamentary constituency in Murshidabad which has more than 70% of Muslim populations and still Murshidabad is still categorized as aspirational district.
“I represent Berhampore parliamentary constituency in Murshidabad district which has more than 70% of Muslim populations. Therefore, I have a very good understanding about their social and economic challenges. Murshidabad is still categorized as aspirational district. It clearly means that development has not taken place in this district. The Government of West Bengal has completely failed in looking after the Welfare of the minorities in the state otherwise district like Murshidabad would not have been aspirational district till date.” Chowdhury wrote.
He said that his constant effort with the Central Government has resulted in opening of another campus of Aligarh Muslim University at Murshidabad but due to lack of support from the State Government, the project could not take of well.
“You may be aware that my constant effort with the Central Government resulted in opening of another campus of Aligarh Muslim University at Murshidabad. However, due to lack off support from the State Government, the project could not take of well and no development work is going on this huge campus. As a result the Muslim minority are deprived of huge job and educational opportunities in this district,” the MP wrote.
He said a sizeable population of the Muslim minorities of the Murshidabad migrated to different parts of the country in search of jobs.
“A sizeable population of the Muslim minorities of the Murshidabad have migrated to different parts of the country in search of job. They are skilled workers and they are contributing in the development of other cities. It is because of the lack of job opportunities in West Bengal that they have to migrate to other parts of the country. Today, West Bengal has become an exporter of skill Muslim workers to rest of the country,” wrote Chowdhury.
He concluded the letter requesting to give special attention for the welfare and development of minorities.
“Given the sorry state of affair of the minorities in West Bengal, I would request to give special attention for the welfare and development of minorities,” Chowdhury concluded the letter.
