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MP govt targets Muslims for family planning
Kumar Shakti Shekhar
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Thursday, December 21, 2006 (Bhopal):
The BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has hit upon a novel method to promote family planning practices among Muslims in the state.
It plans to distribute for free a book on the subject, which has been written by Mumbai-based Muslim journalist Muzaffar Hussain.
The book, the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh believes, is special as it will encourage family planning, and it has already ordered 10,000 copies.
It borrows heavily from the holy Quran and is not meant for all and only the Muslim community will be the so-called beneficiaries.
It also has mention of Islamic countries, including Pakistan, that have implemented family planning methods.
The BJP government is using this book as a shield against any controversy, but the Opposition Congress is suspicious of the State government's motive.
"At several places, ignorance is being deliberately encouraged in the name of Islam. The book will be helpful in warding off the misconceptions about family planning among the Muslims," said Ajay Vishnoi, Health Minister, MP.
The author of the book, Hussain, was conferred the Padma Shree by the NDA government in 2002 for writing nationalist articles.
According to the book, Hussain writes columns for 42 national and international dailies and magazines in several language.
Differing opinions
But another Padma Shree recipient, a renowned litterateur, disagrees both with the State government's point of view and the book's content.
"Now, there is a difference of meaning when you say Roko Mutt, Jaaney Do and Roko, Mutt Jaaney Do. It depends how one interprets. This has been going on for the past 1,500 years. The religious leaders and politicians have been using religion to fulfill their own selfish interest," said Manzoor Ehtesham, litterateur.
Manzoor Ehtesham has hit the nail on the head.
A look at the 2001 Census figures for Madhya Pradesh makes it all the more difficult to understand.
Why the government's move is aimed at a community that comprises only six per cent of the state's population.
According to the 2001 Census in Madhya Pradesh, the total population is 60,3,48,000, among these Hindus account for 55, 005,000 (91.2 per cent) while Muslims account for 38,41,000 (6.3 per cent).
But the opposition Congress believes that the decision has more to do with religion and politics than addressing a social concern.
"The Minister's initiative will be useless because it is a step taken to keep the Sangh leaders in good humour and save his chair in the process," said Manak Agrawal, PCC spokesperson, Madhya Pradesh.
By making the book as a tool, the BJP Government in Madhya Pradesh is taking forward its Hindutva agenda, and it is using this opportunity to the hilt.
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