Mr. Joel Amir Sahotra, a member of the Punjab Assembly, has demanded that the government should take steps to treat students from religious minorities on an equal basis.
Sahotra has raised the question of giving an alloting 20 marks to Muslim students in what is called “Hafiz-e-Quran,” which means that when he or she has memorized the Quran by heart, they are given these special marks.
He said, when a Muslim student applies for admission to a college, university or professional educational institutions, that person is given an additional marks as a way to recognize “their love for the Quran.”
“Minorities the most vulnerable segment of our society and live hand-to-mouth and when this occurs, this drastic situation makes it difficult for non-Muslim students get a professional and higher education to become part of mainstream of the country,” he said.
“Giving additional marks to a Quran Hafiz also applies to when someone applies for a job in the government and/or in the private sector, as the Muslim student is given five additional marks during an interview that involves a test.
“I have observed that Christian youth, and others from different religious minorities, love their Holy books. There are thousands of young people who read Bible every day and attend various Bible courses. They must also be recognized by the state.”
Mr. Sahotra went on to say that Rana Sana Ulla, the Minister for Law in Punjab, has “assured” him that he would soon start a “consultation” to get “solution for the students and candidates from religious minorities who are applying for jobs.”
Would his demand for equality be implemented ?
State for Interfaith Harmony and Minorities Affairs Minister Akram Masih Gill said scholarship funds for children of the minorities will be increased from Rs 16 million to Rs 20 million.
Minister of State for Interfaith and Harmony Akram Masih Gill, who also belongs to the PML-Q, has been given full charge of the ministry. was named “Minister of the State” (a sort of “Deputy Minister”).
Speaking to a delegation of parliamentarian’s representing the minorities, he added, development funds would be distributed among the minorities legislators on equal basis, which would help them undertake development work in their respective areas. Gill said development funds for the welfare of the minorities would also be increased in the upcoming budget 2011-12.
The minister informed the delegation that the interfaith harmony ministry would arrange ulema conferences, seminars and walks to bridge the gap among the followers of different religions. Interfaith committees would also be set up at the district level, he said. Gill also informed that the UN would be approached for the establishment of a commission for the well being of minorities across the world. The minister said that the ministry was well aware of the problems being faced by the minorities and it would take concrete steps to resolve all these problems.
Interestingly, last year Akram Masih Gill made the government speechless as he posed a question in the National Assembly on Friday if alcohol was illegal, how the earning from taxes on it could be legal.
“The amount collected through excise duty on the sale of alcohol should be spent on the minorities,” he said in his budget speech. Akram Masih Gill expressed his dismay over the meagre amount of Rs150 million earmarked for the Minorities Welfare Funds in the budget and staged a walkout from the House.
