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Muslim leaders welcome Catholic quota

The Catholic Church’s plans to introduce quota in its educational institutions from 2008 has evoked mixed but sharp reactions.

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NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: The Catholic Church’s plans to introduce quota in its educational institutions from 2008 has evoked mixed but sharp reactions.

Even as city parents criticised the move, the Muslim leaders lauded the decision while the RSS endorsed the need to broadbase education to include marginalised sections like Dalits and tribals.

DNA reported on Thursday that the Catholic Bishops Conference of India has prepared a document titled ‘All Indian Catholic Education Policy 2007’ aimed at increasing the number of seats for Christian students, Dalits and tribals in the 25,000 schools and 400 colleges it runs across the country.

Interestingly, the Human Resource Development Ministry has maintained silence on this issue. However, insiders observed that the new policy seemed to be a good idea as it was important to take education to all strata of society. 

Former NCERT chairman J S Rajput, however, cautioned against religion-based quotas. ``I stoutly oppose reservation on the basis of religion but I am for affirmative action,’’ he told DNA.

He, however, did not agree with the view that the elitist character will be affected in the wake of affirmative action. “Merit will not be affected, the fear that accommodating economically weak will impact the merit/elitist character of the institutions is unfounded,” he said.

In Mumbai, the church’s announcement evoked sharp reactions from agitated parents. “The reservation policy has diluted the standard of education in such institutes.

Thus the implementation of this quota in schools will further hamper the quality of education at the school level,” said Mahesh Shah whose son studies in one of the convent schools — Victoria High School at Mahim.

Another parent Dinesh Kothari added, “There should be no reservation in schools. Admissions should be allocated strictly on basis of merit so that the standard of education will be maintained. Further, if they want such a reservation it should be given on the basis of financial background of the student and not through the social status.”

Several Catholic schools in the city appear to be apprehensive about the new education policy. “Doubts would be raised over the implementation of the reservation in city like Mumbai that gets most of the students from economically sound background.

We have to hold discussions on the new policy,” says Father Gregory Lobo, general secretary of the Arch Diocesan Board of Education.

But the Catholic Colleges have praised the decision of CBCI initiated on Wednesday as a campaign aiming towards educating the marginalised section of the society.

"We have been implementing the reservation policy framed by the Maharashtra government that involves quota based on caste, religion and linguistic background. The quantum of quota to be offered should be based upon marginalised population prevailing in the state," claims A D Mascarenhas, dean of St.Andrews College.

"The CBCI’s decision is in the interests of the Christian community. But there should be a thought process on the weightage to be given to Dalits and tribals within the Christian community," said Frazer Mascarenhas, principal of St.Xavier's College of Arts and Science. 

Interestingly, Delhi's St Stephen's College was in the eye of a storm when it announced a 10 percent quota for Dalit Christian students. Church leaders insisted it was precisely this kind of ``elitism'' they intend to fight with the new policy.

"We are demolishing the concept that only the economically well off manage to get admissions," said CBCI spokesperson Father Babu Joseph.

"There is a presumption that Dalits and tribals don't perform well in studies. The fact is there are a number of bright students from these communities," Father Joseph said adding "we have no hidden agenda."

Cardinal Toppo, CBCI president and Archbishop of Ranchi, who himself comes from tribal background said the new policy reflected "Catholic Education and the Church's Concern for the Marginalised."

RSS leader and former spokesperson Ram Madhav declined to comment saying he had not seen the document.However, Seshadiri Chari, former editor of RSS mouthpiece ‘Organiser’ said, “If they are giving more seats to tribals without government aid there is nothing wrong, but if they are going to do it to counter the activities of RSS-related institutions or if it is with a view to increase the Christian population through conversion then it will be a great disservice to the cause of education."

Chari, however, said the Christians institutions are no match as RSS affiliated organisations run more than a lakh schools. Delhi Minorities Commission chairman Kamal Farooqi welcomed the move saying that what the Catholic Church is doing is "absolutely in tune with" the national policy. The Sachar Committee had also recommended affirmative action to empower minorities. "I am for it, the Muslim institutions should also follow it," he said.

Allaying fears that the move would dent the class character of these institutions, he said the priority should be to eradicate educational and social backwardness of the marginalised. Rooting for ‘affirmative action’, Prof Irfan Habib of Aligarh Muslim University said the weaker sections were poorly represented in these institutions.

About how the quota would impact the elitist character of some of the top notch Christian educational institutions, Habib said the word "elitist" is open to various interpretations. "The idea is that poverty should not deprive them of education."

Meanwhile, Arun Gujarathi, NCP State President said, "If the CBCI wants the reservation only for the backward classes then it is not a problem. But at the same time if their schools or colleges were taking aid from the government then they should not apply the reservation policy."

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