Communal Politics Deprived Benefits for Linguistic Minorities – Mohandas Pai
Mangaluru: “The Constitution (article 29 and 30) was passed on 26 November 1949 in the Constituent Assembly. It was adopted on 26 January 1950 with a democratic government system. Article 29 and 30 says there are two types of minorities, they are linguistic and religious. Because of the communal politics of Congress and other governments so far only religious minorities avail the benefits and the latest are the Jains. The linguistic minorities have been ignored since 1950. It is a right given by the constitution and not by the law passed by the Parliament which is reflected in the bill of the people. So we are demanding the government of Karnataka as well as the government of India to provide linguistic minorities the same benefits and rights as religious minorities without any discrimination. Especially in the Konkani community, we have Muslims, Christians, Hindus and people of other religions. Within the Konkani community, the Christian Konkani’s and Muslims get the benefits”, said the Trustee of VKSSF T V Mohandas Pai in a press meet held at Hotel Ocean Pearl here on August 24.
Addressing the meidapersons Mohandas said, “Hindus have been deprived and discriminated when we too are entitled under the constitution. When we are entitled, it is our right to get it, it is not a favour or a point for debate. We have discussed this issue with the government, a case in the high court is in progress in this matter. We had written to the national commission of minorities but they said that they cannot help us because of the law passed as per Article 29 and 30 which they need to follow.”
Mohandas further said, “This time the government of India will take up the issue, we need to speak to the CM asking him not to discriminate us with the rights given by the constitution. All economically backward people should get benefits. We will meet CM Yeddyurappa and tell him not to discriminate the GSB community. The government should declare the GSB community eligible for the benefits. We are a small community of only 20 lakh population. We are a voiceless, suppressed and oppressed community in the country. The government of India is spending Rs 50,000 crore on minority welfare all across India. The government also spends Rs 1.5 lakh crore on SC/ST and the OBC. There is lot of money allocated which is not spent and goes back every year. Everybody in this country should get the benefits.”
Mohandas also said, “The media should highlight such issues. Why is the GSB community discriminated? We have been quiet for 69 years because there were many good people helping the community. our community is very strong and should be strengthened. There is nothing wrong in strengthening the communities.”
President Alumni Association Nirosh Kumari, Secretary VKSSF Pradeep G Pai and Giridhar Kamath were also present.
GSBs are one of the most successful communities in India and especially in the coastal region. They are born entrepreneurs. Well educated too. So, it’s not right that they should fight for reservations or benefits in this day and age. Mr.Pai always tries to look for problems where solution is not necessary.
Next are the porbus of our coastal region. For the most part, Christians are economically well off today. But power-hungry and opportunist politicians such as the “Tipu Garlander” Ivan have disgracefully brought in this benefits culture to please his community. Christians should never look for taxpayers’ handouts, instead should develop self respect and give up those benefits for the economically marginalised sections of our society.
They are successful mainly because of their enterpreunership, innovation, hard work, dedication.
When the Portuguese tried to forcibly convert them, many migrated southward leaving their belongings. They managed to flourish under any circumstances.
Henry is right in saying many GSB’s are well off. How did they do that? There are of course many who can do with some help. That is the point Mohandas Pai tried to make.
Do any of us or for that matter any one in our country need indefinite reservations? The answer is no. India needs to move up from that.
Every community has rich people and poor but in successful communities the percentage of rich people tend to be higher. So, my contention is that those rich people should help their poor people (especially when the full-scale integration of communities is a distant dream for a country like India). Asking for a constitutional privilege is not right in my view as the pork barrel comes from the tax payers’ money. That money has to be wisely spent.
In the coastal region we have lately witnessed the pomp in reconstructing a lot of churches. While some of those structure did need some work, but the extent to which some people have gone is frankly ridiculous – they boast about largest ceiling fan, boat-shaped church etc. as if it’s a status symbol. Some of them even contemplated installing central air conditioning but for some reason they pulled back. What next? Hire massage-therapists whilst the priest is preaching from the altar? The same churches also have some living in abject poverty. Therefore why can’t that extravagance used on white elephant projects be spent on helping these poor families? Perhaps a group insurance can be purchased which can help these people. People fall sick and many of them can not afford treatment. But that’s never on the priority list for the people at the top.
That said, our current reservation system needs a re-design. It has turned from a tool of empowerment to an option of entitlement for many lazy people. That has to end.
/end rant
By the way, don’t know why the Portuguese atrocities creeped into this discussion.