He following Article was sent to English dailies which was not published in Dailies. Some had expressed regret for not publishing.

GUJARAT RIOTS, PROBLEMS AND REMEDIES

Press, TV and political leaders have pleaded the case of minority without raising and discussing the following questions and find out their solutions and remedies. Why is Muslim society a closed society ? Why do the minority community and their leaders as well as the institutions do not take part in discussions of public events affecting nation ? After fifty years of freedom, why minority community people remain in particular jobs and occupations? Why percentage of criminals is more in the minority comparing percentage of population ? Shri Dilipkumar, Shahrukh Khan idol of millions and others including former Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India did not express regrets on Godhra mass brutal killing on behalf of community. A Hindu father does not object when his daughter marries a non Hindu boy or even a foreigner but objects if the daughter marries a Muslim boy on the ground that father does not know when his daughter is to come back on uttering "Talaq, Talaq, Talak" by the son-in-law. Why a Hindu who cannot see drop of blood has become inhumane, cruel and barbaric ? Ahmedabad city which was considered as a safest place for movement for a man or woman in any part of the city during 24 hours has become unsafe and dangerous to life.

The Britishers ruled the country by dividing Hindus and Muslims. The Political parties in India carry on the same policy. Congress party which ruled for about 45 years in Gujarat had followed anti English policy and Gujarat students have lost 20 lakh jobs in fifty years and the entire population of two generations has lost touch of secular character and became pro religious in only practices without enlarging the frontiers of heart and head. Gujaratis spend 40 days in a year in celebrating festivals and five lakh people visit Dakor on foot for poonam Darshan and spend four days of every month, on religious darshan. The standard syllabi of the Madresas include learning of holy Quaran by heart and excludes liberal education, which has kept Muslim society as closed society. The objective on liberal education is to develop the faculty of logical reflection, questioning and inquiry. The Madresas and similar institutions of other religions do not allow liberal education. The above type of education is bad for co-existence of various faiths and beliefs in a multi-religious society like us.

Left Front Government in West Bengal who pleads for Muslim minority had encouraged Madresa education. There were 238 official Madresas in 1977 and budged allocation was only 5.06 lakh in 1977. In 2000-2001 budget, 115 crores are provided as additional 269 new Madresas were opened in West Bengal during this period.

The above observations are supported by the speech of President Pervez Musharraf addressing the Science and Technology Conference at Karachi on February 18, 2002 said, Today we are the poorest, the most illiterate, the most backward, the most unhealthy, the most unenlightened, the most deprived and the weakest of all human race. The time has come for Islamin nations to take part in self-criticism."

What President Musharraf told about Pakistani Muslims also applies, mutates mutandis to Indian Muslims.

1. Gujarat Government should immediately introduce English as compulsory subject from Standard II in all schools, including Madresas. Maharashtra Government and Rajasthan Government have introduced English as compulsory subject from 1st Std. and 2nd Std. respectively. The Muslims boys who are motor mechanics, electricians, plumbers, mason and carpenter will have a good change to go in foreign countries in year 2005 when W.T.O. allows also labor force freely amongst 182 countries of world. They will be able to go provided they know English.

2. Every one should love country like a mother who loves her child even a child is invalid or retarded.

3. The Fundamental question in life is how to maintain cordial relationship between the Ruler and the Subject Husband and Wife, Father and Son, Mother and Daughter, Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law and persons amongst different religions and faiths.

Confucianism has laid down the principle of reciprocity namely "What you do not want done to yourself, do not do the other." The above principle should be taught in schools and colleges and should be made a guiding principle of the State, in day to day life every citizen of Gujarat and India. The economic development employment and liberal outlook amongst people of different religions can solve the problem of co-existence amongst people of different faiths and religions if the above principle of Confucianism is adopted in every one's life.

VASANT J. DESAI
AHMEDABAD.

DATE : 16/05/2002
NOT PUBLISHED, RETURN TO AUTHOR.