JEDDAH, 3 June 2006 — India’s Human Resource and Development Minister Arjun Singh, in the center of the reservation storm that had gripped India, is very unreserved in his explanation as he stands his ground on the issue. He and his ministry hope that this reservation would prove to be the harbinger of development for the backward sections and thus bring about diversity in the creamy layer of Indian society.
He triggered a very diverse reaction from many quarters of India by calling for an extension, by 27 percent, of reservations to the other backwards castes (OBCs) in all the central universities including premier institutions like IIMs, IITs and medical colleges. His announcement ignited a series of anti- and pro-quota protests, particularly by medical students. Despite the growing fury and strength in the opposition to this move, Arjun Singh urged the students to exercise restraint while refusing to budge under pressure. He made it clear that there would be no going back on the proposed reservation. His firm commitment and steadfast approach won him the Cabinet approval for his ambitious proposal, which will be tabled in the monsoon session of the Parliament for approval thereby allowing reservations from June 2007. The matter of reservation is now in the courts and a decision by the courts could well see further stormy sessions.
Arjun Singh is a veteran politician from Madhya Pradesh. He entered public life in 1957 as member of Madhya Pradesh’s first Legislative Assembly. In June 1991, he was appointed HRD minister in Prime Minister Narasimha Rao’s Cabinet. When Congress won the 2004 national elections, he was again entrusted with the HRD Ministry. On taking office, his first job was to “desaffronize” the textbooks given a saffron color by the previous BJP-led coalition.
The veteran leader was the key player in forging the “Punjab Accord” between the then Premier Rajiv Gandhi and Sant Harcharan Singh Longowal, bringing peace and stability to the militancy-plagued state of Punjab.
As the HRD minister, he introduced a new scheme for the modernization of madrasa education, which included the teaching of subjects like math, science and English in the madrasas without, in any way, taking away from them their right to give religious education.
He is the most prominent leader of the Congress party after its President Sonia Gandhi, with an all-India appeal and following among a wide cross-section of Indian population. Known for his secular credentials, the seasoned Congress leader is one of the fading breed of politicians who believe that the party can regain its lost glory only on the basis of its secular and pro-poor ideals, policies and programs. Arjun Singh was in Jeddah this week and in an exclusive interview with Arab News talked about various issues. Following are excerpts from the interview.
Q: What are the objectives of your visit to Saudi Arabia? Do you feel a new rhythm in the Indo-Saudi relationship after the visit of the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to New Delhi, and, if so, how are the two countries going to capitalize on it?
A: Certainly, the visit of Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah was an event of great significance. The people of India were honored by his visit. It has marked a new beginning in several areas of cooperation, apart from rededicating ourselves to the historic ties between the two countries. Actually, when I met him, I was struck by the keen interest King Abdullah took in all of the decisions that were arrived at in India and I am sure that the Delhi Declaration, with regard to education, will become a reality soon. I see that most of the problems faced by the expatriates here are being dealt with and hopefully will be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. My visit is a modest attempt to follow up, in the sphere of education, the understanding reached between the two countries during King Abdullah’s visit. Collaboration between institutions of higher learning, greater interaction between teachers and scholars for the benefit of education in the two countries ranked high on the agenda.
Q: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) had started its center in Jeddah but it has been closed down due to some technical lacunae. Did you raise the issue with Saudi officials?
A: Yes. I raised it with the minister of higher education but he did not have a categorical answer. But I am sure it will be resolved. Initially, there was a mistake on the IGNOU’s part, for they should not have started anything without the explicit permission from the authorities here. Since, it concerns a large number of students, I had to raise this issue. A fresh look will be taken on this issue soon.
Q: Is the Indian higher education sector equipped to handle the rising demand for quality higher education in India? What measures are being taken to ensure quality higher education in the country?
A: The Indian higher education system must be credited for the growing Indian economy and the large number of high-caliber professionals proficient in cutting-edge research and in emerging technologies. In its infancy, the system had the guidance of great minds like Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Radhakrishnan, Dr. Zakir Hussain, Dr. S.S. Bhatnagar, Dr. Meghnad Saha and others. I have no doubt that the Indian higher education sector is fully equipped to handle the demand for quality higher education. Several steps are being taken including review of our laws, reforming institutions and so on. We are also considering a policy so that sub-standard foreign education providers are not allowed to operate.
Q: On the one hand we have a few institutions of excellence, such as the IITs and IIMs, and on the other hand there are universities that do not impart quality education. What are you doing about it?
A: Well, some variation in quality among institutions is only to be expected in a large system with 350 universities and 17,000 colleges. What is important is that each one of these institutions maintains the minimum prescribed level of quality. After that, each institution has the necessary academic autonomy to reach the highest level of standards. The IITs and IIMs have achieved it and so have a number of other institutions. We are also creating new institutions and constantly upgrading existing ones to centers of world-class excellence.
Q: On July 5, last year, you announced that a special unit will be set up to deal with minority education, especially girls. And your ministry will do an additional bit to enhance girls’ education among minorities. What has happened? What about quotas for Muslims in education?
A: Well, you may recall that it was in July 2004, soon after the UPA government assumed office, that we initiated a national dialogue on minority education. Based on that interaction, we took several concrete steps. A National Monitoring Committee on Minorities Education was formed, which I head. There is a Standing Committee of this National Monitoring Committee, which, on a continuing basis, interacts with the minorities and minority institutions and finds solutions to their problems. Our Parliament established a National Commission on Minority Educational Institutions, which is an instrument designed to protect the rights of the minorities to establish and administer institutions of their choice. We have also started reviewing many of our existing schemes including what needs to be done for the education of girls among minorities. This is a continuing process. Resource allocations have been enhanced, there is a proactive interaction involving all the minorities in education and, as I had announced then, we have a functional cell in our ministry for focusing on issues relating to minorities’ education, including that for girls. Similarly, Minority Education Cells have been created in all autonomous organizations with our ministry. As far as reservation for Muslims is concerned, it falls within the purview of reservation for other backward castes (OBCs). When implemented, it more or less takes care of this aspect as it attends to the weaker sections of the minorities as well.
Q: As the government has decided to implement 27 percent reservation for the OBCs from June 2007, the quota issue has sparked protests in some parts of the country. But only medical students were in the forefront. There were no large-scale protests as seen during V.P. Singh’s move to implement Mandal Commission’s recommendations. Whom do you hold responsible for it?
A: I would not like to blame anyone. The protests have been more or less peaceful and it is a hallmark of our democracy that dissent can be registered. We are addressing the anxiety of those who may be affected, and as the resolution of our UPA Coordination Committee and the Left parties clarify, the interests of all sections would be protected. The consequent steps are already under way. As for the publicity surrounding protests, let me say that in India we have a very mature media and they know their job.
Q: What about proportionate representation of Muslims in legislatures?
A: In an elected body you have to come through a democratic process. And the only way to ensure this is that the number of people that a party declares to be its candidates from the minority must be more. Otherwise, I don’t see any means through which this can be done. Because we cannot tamper with the people’s right to elect representatives of their choice. But there is room for improvement.
Q: The BJP government had made Sanskrit compulsory for everyone in the CBSE curriculum, causing hardship to many. Your government has also retained it. What do you have to say about it?
A: I think Sanskrit has a very wide range of acceptance. Even in the south where Hindi is not recognized, Sanskrit is very relevant. So, we thought that this is one thing that could continue and as you know in the competitive exams people with knowledge of Sanskrit invariably score over others. So, I think that until some other factor comes up, this policy would remain.
Q: What is your considered view on Aligarh Muslim University’s minority status? If the Supreme Court also rules against it then what course of action your government will initiate to safeguard its minority character? What else is needed in your opinion for the uplift of the Muslim community?
A: As far as the government of India is concerned, there are no doubts whatsoever, that the Aligarh Muslim University is a minority institution, which deserves all constitutional guarantees. We have taken this unequivocal stand in the various courts of law, wherever any challenge to this has arisen. But the matter is now before our highest court and it would not be appropriate for me to say anything more than this. As to your question on the uplifting of the Muslim community, in any strategy of this kind, access to education must take precedence over anything else.
Q: It has been reported that some fake minority colleges are being opened to avail the privileges and benefits attached to it. What has the HRD Ministry done to stop it?
A: We have now in place a mechanism which on the one hand facilitates the permission required by minority institutions and at the same time, the same body has also been entrusted with the task of ferreting out these false claims and to maintain the balance between those genuine seekers and those who try to break laws.
Q: Is there any program with the HRD Ministry to streamline madrasa education and to modernize its curriculum to make it more job oriented? What do you feel about charges by some parties that madrasas are the training ground for terrorists?
A: Yes, there is program for madrasa modernization under which financial assistance is given for salaries of teachers of science, mathematics, English and similar modern subjects. Assistance is also provided for book grants, for equipments etc. As a matter of fact, the financial outlays have been substantially increased this year — thousands of madrasas are taking advantage of this scheme even though it is a purely voluntary program. As for the charges of terrorism, such unfortunate generalization is obviously politically motivated and only intended to create divisions in society. Even during the BJP government they never came up with anything concrete to prove this allegation. That (training terrorists) was wild charge and whenever during parliamentary question-answer session where a pointed question was put as to which madrasa and which place is involved in any such activity, because we will never tolerate such activities whether by a madrasa or by anyone else, there was never a clear answer. But I can tell you that even the government of the BJP just could not come up with examples. Now that charge has died away.
Q: Are you happy with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government’s performance and the state of affairs in the Congress party? How will you rate the government on a scale of 10?
A: The UPA government, guided by the inspiring leadership of Sonia Gandhi, is being ably led by Dr. Manmohan Singh. I think the people of India appreciate the efforts that have been made by the UPA government in the last two years. As a humble soldier of the Congress party, my own view is that, through her dedication and hard work, Soniaji has nurtured the party back to robust health and, it is a matter of great satisfaction for those of us associated with the party for a long time, that the younger generation is getting attracted to the values for which the Congress party stands. I think under the circumstances, when a coalition is in power we have tried to address the most important socio-political and economic issues that affect the people of our country. And I can say this with a sense of satisfaction that as far as the issues of education are concerned, we practically had support from all the coalition partners and I can say that on this scale we should be justified in saying that we get eight out of 10.
Q: Do you think Sonia Gandhi has emerged stronger after resigning from Parliament on the office-of-profit issue?
A: Yes. That is very much true. And it is not possible for anybody now in India to give the impression that Soniaji is being protected. On the other hand, it is she who is trying to uphold certain principles of probity and democratic options. Many of us were confident that she would emerge in this manner. We are gratified with what she has done.
Q: How do you look at Rahul Gandhi’s emergence as a future leader of the Congress party?
A: Rahul Gandhiji has shown promise and has also shown that he is conversant with the basic realities in India and when he comes to assume the leadership, I am sure the people of India will benefit from his understanding and drive.
Q: Do you agree with the assertion that the young Turks of the Congress have literally hijacked the party and senior leaders are being sidelined?
A: I think the party is very old and established but it has always stayed young because as and when it was found necessary the programs were also revised and the question of infusing new blood in the party was never left sight off, that is a process that goes on. But I don’t think the party has been hijacked by the second generation. This is more a propaganda than reality. What I have witnessed since Soniaji took the reins of the party that a very correct mix of younger generation and the older ones has emerged in giving direction to the party and she is very conscious of the fact that this is the heritage of the Congress and it should be protected and furthered.