Part II is highlighting the issue of Education
Disclaimer: The opinion expressed by author is a critical political analysis of Maulana Qasmi as MP of Kishanganj. Nowhere it should be considered as a personal attack on personality of hon'ble MP of Kishanganj. Maulana Qasmi is a respected "Aalim" and "an accomplished Educationist" for author.
“Maine yeh qasam khaya hai ki main Kishanganj ko Taalimi lihaaz se Kerala banaunga” (I have vowed to make Kishangnaj like Kerala in the field of education), this is favourite in fact pet quote of MP Maulana Asrarul Haque Qasmi. After his historic win from the Kishanganj loksabha constituency he has used this quote many times. As mentioned earlier in Part I, this statement too was just for "statement sake" and doesn’t have any substantial value as nowhere in Kishanganj you can see the Kerala situation in the field of education.
Before I proceed further the prime reason behind the failure in the statement of Mr. Qasmi is lack of enthusiasm and the sufficient analysis to make it true. He never tried to have a good team of intellectuals, educationists and planning experts to give a physical shape to his dream of making Kishanganj as Kerala. When he won the election from Kishanganj the government statistics related to literacy rate was not encouraging. According to 2001 Census, only 32 percent of the total population was educated and the literacy rate among females especially Muslims was very less. The dismal rate of literacy among females had made a General Knowledge (GK) question. “Which is the least female literate district”? The answer unfortunately was Kishanganj.
Note: In the video below from 2:35 minute to 2:45 minute Maulana's vows to make Kishanganj as Kerala
Note: In the video below from 2:35 minute to 2:45 minute Maulana's vows to make Kishanganj as Kerala
Since Maulana himself is an “Aalim” – a scholar, hence people of the district were having high hope with him. The mid-2009 was full of enthusiasm and optimistic approach among the common people of Kishanganj. It seemed in no time all their issues and grievances would be resolved, and Kishanganj would be considered among ideal districts of Bihar as well as country. Sadly, the level of enthusiasm with every passing day, week and month went on decreasing. The Maulana who was referred to as “Son of Soil” and a “Masiha” in due course of time became part of hate-speeches among common people. He badly failed to meet the expectations of his supporters, Congress workers and above all his voters.
Now coming back to the education status from mid-2009 till now. In four year hardly any major change is witnessed in the field of education and literacy rate. If you have observed the speeches of Maulana, in almost all he has accepted that the condition of Kishanganj is not good. “Kishanganj is having around 17 lakh population, and there are only 17 high schools in the district. However, other districts of Bihar are having more number of high schools than Kishanganj,” this remained a favourite quote in Maulana’s speeches. I appreciate his concern for education and having clear idea of lack of resources. One elected representative having a vast association with education as an ‘Aalim’ and chairperson of “All India Milli Council” must have knowledge of such dismal figures.
Again the big question, “What Maulana did as a Congress MP to improve the disappointing numbers?” As usual on a disappointing note, he did nothing for improving the condition of education in Kishanganj. Of course, some middle schools of the district had been promoted to the level of high school and some high schools were declared as Intermediate (Senior Secondary) level. But these changes happened with the guidelines of government of Bihar. Nowhere, this was initiative of Maulana or Congress led UPA government.
Similarly, no any change had been observed in the condition of main degree level colleges namely Marwari College (Kishanganj) and Nehru College (Bahadurganj). Along with these colleges Maulana had visited other colleges as a high-profile guest. He had also delivered long speeches hitting the heart and mind of gathering present at the venue. But he never had taken any step to monitor the performance of these colleges. Absence of proper teaching staff, no proper classes by lecturers and improper use of resources like computer lab, library, are the major concerns and flaws observed in the colleges in the district. Maulana must supposed to take a note of this situation and found out the ways to make the colleges worthy for needy students of the district.
Moving ahead, now let us have a look, what Maulana could have been done as a Congress MP. As Kishanganj is a Muslim minority concentrated district, hence it was eligible for funds assigned by Ministry of Minority Affairs. Despite being one of 90 most backward minority concerned districts, Kishanganj didn’t get the maximum benefit. Let me start with the “Scholarship” meant for minority students issued by Ministry of Minority Affairs. Unlike other parts of Bihar, in Kishanganj too the students enrolled in middle school, high school and higher classes didn’t received the amount due to negligent attitude of concerned officials mainly the District Education Officer (DEO) and Block Education Officer (BEO). This issue was raised many times through media, but Maulana himself never had taken any step to handover the cheques to needy. In fact, a fair portion of the fund designated for minority students in absence of proper distribution returned back to the ministry. We all know that Kishanganj is having one of the biggest school-dropout rate in India due to financial crunch. If Maulana had given his attention towards the issue, he could have fulfilled the promises made during speeches.
Another thing that Maulana was able to do it opening of new schools and colleges with the funds of Minority Affairs Ministry. The minority affairs is a very less-defined ministry of government, hence the funds lying with the ministry can be used for welfare schemes like hostels, schools and colleges for the minorities. Maulana never thought about this, unless he was more interested in giving statement related to Rafi Ahmad Kidwai University. The proposal of Rafi Ahmad Kidwai University is currently far from realm and it doesn’t have any existence in the form of DPR (Detailed Project Report). However, Maulana if he had wished could have done lobbying with the Minority Affairs Ministry and got some fund allocated for opening the schools and colleges in district headquarters of Kishanganj and other parts of district.
It will be unfair to end this article without mentioning Maulana’s own “Milli Girls School” at Tappu in Kishanganj. Of course, this school was opened with a good intention and Maulana deserves plaudits for same. Kishanganj is legging behind in female literacy rate, hence there is need of several schools especially meant for girls. This school has got the 10+2 affiliation as well from CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education), which is also a big achievement for care takers of school. The school is criticized for its remote location which is not much safe for girls and the teaching staffs are not much qualified.
I don’t mind the criticism done related to this school, there are both pros and cons to run such a school. However, I am again grilling Maulana, if you can get CBSE affiliation for your school up to 12th level, why you couldn’t have the same passion and dedicated approach for introducing other education related projects in different parts of Kishanganj. Why only Tarabari?
In a concluding remark I will say. Maulana as said earlier is a man of substance but the politics is not his “cup of tea”. Getting the funds related to education projects from the government needs lobbying with concerned ministries. Maulana badly failed in such type of lobbying, which in turn shattered the dreams of voters of Kishanganj, who were having lots of dreams with their educated elected representative. At the mean time, Maulana never went out of his comfort zone to do something exceptional and memorable for its people.
Part III will focus on health
