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Divisive move
This refers to the PMO's clarification on the controversy over the Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee seeking details of the number of Muslims in the armed forces. Why should a Government that swears by secularism go for enumeration of Muslims in the armed forces, among other agencies? Is there a proposal to introduce a quota for Muslims? The move is the first step towards disintegration and should be opposed by all right-thinking citizens.
The fact that there arose a need for the Chief of the Army Staff to reiterate the secular commitment of the armed forces is in itself a cause for concern. The Sachar Committee and the UPA Government that appointed it are guilty of creating this avoidable environment. Merit and merit alone should be the criterion for selection to the armed forces. Communal background is wholly irrelevant. The army chief has done the right thing by unequivocally saying so.
Avuthu Srihari,
The PMO's clarification has only added fuel to the fire. One does not understand the sudden need for a special committee to ascertain the various facts regarding Muslims as there are enough Government organisations dealing with social issues. One also wonders why such an exercise should be limited to Muslims.
Subramanyam Sridharan,
Notwithstanding the clarification by the PMO and the army chief, the fact that details were sought on the number of Muslims in the army is in itself appalling. The suicidal move, for whatever reasons, should be nipped in the bud.
K.T. Kuppusamy,
The PMO has clarified that data is being sought by the committee from all agencies, including the army, to prepare a report on the social and economic status of Muslims in the country. Is the exercise meant to appease Muslims? If not, why no such surveys on Christians or other minority groups?
N. Nagesh,
That the survey excludes other minority groups shows that it is part of the Congress' policy of appeasement to strengthen its Muslim vote bank.
David Peniel,
Addressing the backwardness of one minority group raises doubts about the Government's intentions and purpose. The survey may find the group more vulnerable in relation to other groups but it will overlook the existing inequities within the group. Any intervention for resolving backwardness calls for promotion of enabling conditions rather then special provisions, which have paid the least returns in almost six decades.
It is a pity that caste, creed, and religion continue to find a place in our administration's thinking process. If the defence forces and scientific establishments are infected by such viruses, the future of India as a united nation will be in serious jeopardy.
E.P. Menon,
The Congress-led UPA Government is playing a dangerous game in the guise of promoting minority welfare. The top military brass is understandably aghast at the committee's query seeking details on the number of Muslims in the armed forces, their rank, etc. But the denunciation would have been far more effective had the move to set up the committee been opposed in the first place.
J.S. Acharya,
It is worth recalling that some months ago there was a similar hue and cry over the publication of community-wise census. It is essential that the armed forces have adequate representation from all communities, even if a rigid formula is not drawn up.
R. Narasimhan,
Why did all those crying foul now not object to the setting up of the committee in March 2005? The committee has only gone about its business in keeping with its terms of reference. It is better to maintain restraint on such sensitive matters lest they inflame communal passions.
R.M. Manoharan,
M.A. Hakeem,
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