By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata: About 500 Muslim candidates from the other backward castes (OBC) who were selected from West Bengal have been deprived recruitment of Constables (GD) in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) of BSF, CISF, CRPF, SSB and ITBP and rifleman in Assam rifles, 2012.
Even after completing medical test and final recruitment, as they were waiting appointment letters, the Staff Selection Commission’s Eastern Region Office in Kolkata issued a notice on 22 April, 2013 that as the enlisted list of West Bengal State Muslim OBCs are not included in Central OBC list their recruitment maybe cancelled.
Md. Kamruzzaman talking to Muslim OBC youths of West Bengal.
The Staff Selection Commission conducted recruitment for Constables (GD) for CAPFs and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles Examination, 2012 on 22 April, 2012 and after medical examinations final results were declared on 37,553 male candidates including 37,346 in Select List and 207 in Reserve List who have been recommended for appointment to the post of Constable (GD) in CAPFs and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles on 17 October, 2012.
On 22 April, 2013 Office of the Ministry of personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Personnel & Training, Staff Selection Commission’s Eastern Region the a notice was issued to 500 Muslim youths falling under OBC category.
In a memorandum Assistance Director or (Nomination) of Staff Selection Commission’s Eastern Region.
Muslims OBC candidates show-cause notice by SSC.
B. Samanta said that during scrutiny of the application dossier it has been found that the community of other backward class (OBC) mentioned in the OBC certificate submitted is not included in the Central list of OBCs which incorporates the names of the communities notified in the Gazette of India under the different Resolutions, for the State of west Bengal.
The said OBC community of the state of West Bengal is hence not recognized as backward class in any of the Government of India Resolution notified from the time to time for the purpose.
Arif Mohammad Molla, one of the candidates who received the show cause letter.
The show cause notice demanded from the candidates to reply, why their candidature should not be cancelled on the ground of non-fulfillment of criteria for the community status of OBC as per the notice of the examination latest by 15th May, 2013. It added that failing to provide satisfactory response; the candidature would be cancelled without further reference.
A total of 143 communities have been recognized as OBC, 66 under A category, of which 57 Muslim communities are included. Further there are 77 communities under B category OBC, of which 26 communities are Muslims. However, of the total 143 communities only 61 are enlisted in central government recognized OBC list, which include only 11 Muslim OBC from the Muslim OBC list of West Bengal. The eleven Musim OBC are, Jolah (Ansari-Momin), Fakir/Sain, Dhunia, Kasai, Hawari, Rayeen, Nasya-shekh, Shershabadia, Dewan, Patidar and paharia Muslim.
Show cause letter sent by Staff selection Commission (eastern Region) to the Muslim OBC merit list holder of West Bengal.
Arif Mohammad Molla, one of the aggrieved candidates, from village Baganait in the district South 24 Parganas told TCN that no question was raised during submission of the application forms, of after tests were conducted when all documents were checked and submitted. He also questioned the government’s negligence due to differences in state and central government’s lists that causing problems to so many candidates.
Kamal Hossain Mallick of village Paschim Nandarampur of Bankura district, Imran Hossain of village Kazisaha of Murshidabad district, Mobarak Hossain Mondal of village Bhira of North 24 Parganas district, Habibullah Khan of Village Pursusa of Paschim Medinipur district are some of the other candidates with whom TCN talked to and they all are feeling dejected.
A copy SSC merit list, where Muslim OBC names are marked.
They have appealed to the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for intervention to protect them from losing out. They have also sent a memorandum to the President of India, Chief Minister of West Bengal, and Governor of West Bengal in this regard.
West Bengal State Secretary of All India Minority Youth Federation Md. Kamruzzaman told TCN that they are now calling for united protest against SSC and will gherao their Kolkata office. Since last two years, he informed, central government list has not been updated and hence the discrepancy.