Agnimitra exhorts Muslim youth to be part of state’s progress

Kolkata: In a shift in political messaging by the one-month-old BJP govt in Bengal, municipal affairs and urban development minister Agnimitra Paul has called for the participation of Muslim boys and girls in the state's development journey.Bengal's progress requires the involvement of all communities, Paul said on Sunday during a tour to north Bengal to announce civic and infrastructure projects. "We want the boys and girls of the minority community to be part of the development journey we are undertaking. Let us take Bengal ahead together," she said.The aspirations of women and youth are largely similar across religious identities and people tend to turn their backs on parties that exploit them as a vote bank but do not work for their progress, Paul said.The remarks assume significance at a time when the new govt in Bengal has introduced a series of measures relating to religious practices and public spaces, including restrictions on cattle sacrifice, shifting Eid prayers from Red Road to Brigade Parade Ground and steps aimed at ensuring religious congregations do not spill onto roads and disrupt traffic.Paul also raised questions over madrasa education and govt spending on the sector, saying that the focus should be on the outcome for students. She said it was necessary to examine whether madrasas were providing modern education that would help students compete in contemporary society."Around Rs 5,713 crore is allocated to madrasa education, but how many boys and girls are getting the benefits? How many girls and boys studying there are going on to become IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS officers, engineers, doctors or scientists? We have to take a relook at the education being imparted," she asked.Paul also accused previous govts of treating Muslims as a vote bank and suggested that sections of the community were beginning to reassess their political choices.Drawing a social comparison, she added that concerns of citizens remained largely identical irrespective of faith. "At the end of the day, the aspirations and concerns of a Hindu woman, Muslim woman, Sikh woman and Christian woman are the same. The same is true for the youth. A roof over their head, food on the plate, clean water, healthcare, education and jobs. The Mamata Banerjee govt failed to deliver that," Paul said.Members of the Muslim community responded cautiously but positively."It is encouraging to hear a senior minister speak about inclusion rather than division. If the govt is saying that Muslim youth should be part of Bengal's development, that is a welcome message.," said Faisal Rahman, a community member in Kolkata. "But people will judge the govt not by statements alone but by policies and implementation," he added.