Despite the controversy about the Muslim growth rate, the Census data are highly valuable and merit to be carefully studied and analyzed. Both the print and electronic media, by and large, ignored a very vital aspect of the Census 2001. For the first time in post independence India, the Census Commission has brought out the economic data, though it has been gathering them all along. The media debate should naturally have focused on this very important aspect of the data, rather than the growth rate. This is not to suggest that the growth rate and the alarming male-female ratio are some states are insignificant matters. But the fact that the coming to light of a data after well over 60 years should have stolen the limelight.
Had the discussions focused on the economic data of the Census, people would have come to realize that despite tremendous progress that India has made, millions and millions of people are living below, around or just above the poverty line. Since Mrs. Gandhi’s demise India has stopped talking about poverty. Ritualistic lip service, no doubt, is still paid to the cause of the poor, but the issue of poverty no longer occupies the centre stage in our national debate. We seem to have become tired of debating poverty which is so wide spread in our country. But a problem would not cease to exist, if we stop talking about it. Poverty, therefore, is still a live issue whether we pay due attention to it or not.
The Census data precisely prove the fact that poverty, illiteracy and lack of health-related facilities are still the main problems of India. The economic data also reveal beyond doubt that the Muslims have declined further, economically as well as educationally. The work participation in the case of the largest minority is pathetically low. Moreover, they are involved in petty businesses, and a few are in low-grade services, because of which they hardly earn what is just sufficient for their survival. Many other Indians also rub shoulders with the Muslims, even compete in poverty and deprivation.
Census 2001 does not include the economic data of the previous census exercises conducted from 1951 to 1991. It would be in the interest of academic scholarship to get the entire data from 1951 onward. This will give a chance to the scholars to analyze the all round decline of the Muslims and other deprived sections of the society. Some people have unwittingly suggested that religion-based census data should not be published. No such suggestions or demands should be entertained. The economic data are important for the government as well as the common people, especially for the economists. The government had had all the economic data, but it perhaps never utilized them for making programmes for poverty alleviation etc. The scholars, on the other hand, did not have access to the full economic data, and as a result they conducted surveys on small scales to generate their own data. Such serious scholars need the economic data not to just carry out academic researches but also to suggest ways and means for ameliorating the plight of the millions of Indians who suffer economic deprivation.
The economic data are vital for Muslim leaders, intellectuals and other concerned citizens who are alarmed at the large-scale Muslim deprivation. These data merit to be analyzed critically, may be compared with the data of pre-independence period so that a clear picture of the gradual Muslim decline will emerge. These data are also important in devising strategies for the economic and political empowerment of the Muslims as well as the other deprived sections. First, we may have a status report about the Muslim decline on the basis of the 2001 census data. Second, we may use them to convince and urge upon the government to adopt measures for eradicating poverty and illiteracy from among the Muslims. Finally we may utilize these data to launch informed independent initiatives to improve the Muslim conditions.
The media, wittingly or unwittingly, fell a prey to the elements who are opposed to the rights of the deprived. The scholars, specially the unprejudiced ones, should not lie idle and capitalize on the 2001 census data for presenting the real economic scene of the country before the people. It would not be just an academic exercise but by so doing the academics will fulfill their social obligations as well.
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