Muslims socially better, but worse on livelihood: Survey
Jains and Christians, with total scores of 34.99 and 24.68, respectively, progressed to figure among Karnataka's most forward communities.
Bharath Joshi
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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Maulana Azad fellowship delay hits 1,400 PhD scholars; stipends stalled since Jan
New Delhi: More than 1,400 PhD scholars relying on the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) face mounting financial distress as stipend payments remain stalled since January 2025, with the researchers raising concerns that the lack of funds has threatened their academic progress and basic sustenance. Introduced in 2009 by the Union ministry of minority affairs, MANF supports PhD candidates from minority communities –– including Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis, who clear the National Eligibility Test (NET) and come from families earning under ₹6 lakh annually. Scholars receive ₹37,000 monthly as junior research fellows (JRF) for the first two years, rising to ₹42,000 for the subsequent three years as senior research fellows (SRF). As of December 2023, 907 JRFs and 559 SRFs depend on the scheme. Despite government assurances in December 2022 that existing scholars would continue receiving support even as new admissions stopped, disbursements became erratic, the scholars said. The transfer of nodal agency responsibilities from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) in late 2022 introduced significant administrative hurdles. The fellowship's budget was also cut down this year by 4.9% — from ₹45.08 crore to ₹42.84 crores. 'Until 2022, everything was going smoothly,' said Nazia Israr, a MANF scholar at Kashmir University. 'Then, UGC said they would no longer be the nodal agency... After that, our fellowships just stopped.' Scholars describe endless cycles of document verification, Aadhaar linking, and unfulfilled promises. 'We kept going from our universities to banks to ministries. Every time they say, 'approval is pending'. But no one tells us from whom,' she added. The financial impact is severe. 'From January 2025 till now, I haven't received a single rupee,' Nazia said. Her personal life mirrors the crisis: 'My rent is unpaid. My research has been derailed. I just got married. My husband also has responsibilities — how long can he fund my education?' She emphasised the fellowship's deeper meaning: 'This fellowship was not just financial aid. It was hope.' Opposition lawmakers have raised the delay in disbursement of funds with the government. On 27 April, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi received a plea from the scholars demanding immediate payment of dues, implementation of revised House Rent Allowance (HRA) matching UGC norms effective January 2024, and regular monthly disbursements. Other opposition lawmakers including SP's Zia Ur Rehman Barq, DMK's T Sumathy, and the Congress's Mohammad Jawed wrote directly to Union minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju, stating the stress the scholars are facing over the lack of funds. 'The delay has caused severe financial and emotional stress... This is not the first time,' Jawed said in his April 24 letter, referencing similar delays in 2023-24. Sumathy and Barq highlighted the HRA disparity: UGC JRF-SRF scholars received increases (9% to 10%, 18% to 20%, 27% to 30% in January 2024, but MANF rates remain unchanged. Barq stressed the scheme's purpose: 'Timely financial support is crucial to safeguard academic progress and uphold inclusivity.' An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged funds exist but stated disbursement approval is pending. 'The National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) has the money but we haven't gotten approval to disburse the same. Once we get the approval, we will immediately pay out but there are issues with guideline changes and nodal agency change so it's taking time,' said the official.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Indian Express
Congress MP Randhawa writes to PM Modi, seeks Amritsar be declared ‘no-war zone'
Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to declare the holy city of Amritsar as a 'No-War Zone' and 'work with international bodies to establish enduring protections for it'. Describing it as 'a matter of profound spiritual and national significance', the MP said, 'The holy city of Sri Amritsar Sahib, home to Sri Harmandir Sahib (The Golden Temple), is not merely a geographical location, it is the spiritual heartbeat of the Sikh faith and a lighthouse of love and peace for humanity. Its sacred aura transcends religious boundaries, offering comfort, unity and compassion in a world increasingly torn apart by conflict and division.' 'With due respect, I wish to clarify that this appeal is not a request for political sovereignty akin to the Vatican City, but rather a plea for international spiritual recognition and enduring security protections. In an era marked by rising global tensions and militarisation, it is imperative that Sri Amritsar be shielded from the threats of war and violence — now and forever,' the MP wrote. The Congress MP said the universal teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, based on peace, humility and universal brotherhood, serve as a potent moral counterforce to the escalating tide of militarism around the world. 'As many global powers lean increasingly toward conflict, the Sikh ethos of 'Sarbat da Bhala' (the welfare of all) must be elevated and preserved as one of humanity's last hopes for coexistence and peace. Recent geopolitical tensions, particularly during the Indo-Pak standoff, have revived legitimate concerns about Sri Amritsar's potential vulnerability in the event of military conflict,' he said. Randhawa said these concerns, voiced by the Sikh community and civil society alike, necessitate a broader vision, one that goes beyond regional anxieties and calls for an international framework to guarantee the safety and sanctity of this revered city under all circumstances. 'For the Sikh faith, Sri Amritsar holds the same spiritual gravity as Mecca to Muslims and the Vatican to Christians. It is, therefore, my humble submission that the global spiritual significance of Sri Amritsar is officially recognised and that appropriate international security mechanisms—akin to those safeguarding the Vatican — be considered and adopted,' he said. He urged the PM 'to initiate necessary diplomatic and legislative steps toward declaring Sri Amritsar Sahib a 'No-War Zone ' and work with international bodies to establish enduring protections for this sacred site'. 'I trust in your wisdom and statesmanship to consider this appeal not merely as a political request, but as a commitment to safeguarding the soul of a faith and a beacon of peace for all humanity,' the MP added.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Declare Amritsar a ‘no-war zone: Congress MP Randhawa writes to PM
Gurdaspur Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to take steps towards declaring Amritsar district, which is home to the Golden Temple, a 'no-war zone'. The letter was sent weeks after the latest India-Pakistan armed conflict. Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla also wrote a similar letter to the Prime Minister. On May 7, India carried out pre-dawn missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Following the Indian action, Pakistan launched an offensive against Indian military bases and resorted to shelling the border areas for the next three days. In the letter, Randhawa wrote that the city is the spiritual heartbeat of the Sikh faith. 'Its sacred aura transcends religious boundaries, offering comfort, unity, and compassion in a world increasingly torn apart by conflict and division. 'I wish to clarify that this appeal is not a request for political sovereignty akin to the Vatican City, but rather a plea for international spiritual recognition and enduring security protections. 'In an era marked by rising global tension and militarisation, it is imperative that Sri Amritsar is shielded from the threats of war and violence - now and forever,' Randhawa said. 'As many global powers lean increasingly toward conflict, the Sikh ethos of 'Sarbat da Bhala' (the welfare of all) must be elevated and preserved as one of humanity's last hopes for coexistence and peace,' he said. He said that recent geopolitical tensions, particularly during the Indo-Pak standoff, have revived legitimate concerns regarding Amritsar's potential vulnerability in the event of military conflict. 'These concerns, voiced by the Sikh community and civil society alike, necessitate a broader vision - one that goes beyond regional anxieties and calls for an international framework to guarantee the safety and sanctity of this revered city under all circumstances,' the MP said. 'For the Sikh faith, Sri Amritsar holds the same spiritual gravity as Mecca does for Muslims and the Vatican for Christians,' he pointed out. 'It is, therefore, my humble submission that the global spiritual significance of Sri Amritsar be officially recognised, and that appropriate international security mechanisms-akin to those safeguarding the Vatican-be considered and adopted,' he said. He urged that the government of India should initiate necessary diplomatic and legislative steps toward declaring Amritsar a 'no-war zone' and work with international bodies to establish enduring protection of the city.
