Under Article 15(1) of the Constitution no one should be discriminated under the law but still there is no law to punish the offenders. This has come up as some Muslim citizens were not given jobs and accommodation because of their religion. Centre has appointed a committee along with Maharashtra government to check the socioeconomic status of Muslims who live in India and also has suggested that there should be need for anti-discrimination law which has to prevail in the country. Amitabh Kundu had said in the report that the non-discrimination has been given by the Constitution of India and it is a promise that has to be kept by the government which has to be extended to non-state levels also. The recommendations were submitted by the committee to the Centre in 2014 September. Dr Mahmood Ur-Rahman committee which was appointed by Government of Maharashtra had given suggestions to check the status of Muslims in that state. Even though the constitution assures the non-discrimination the present law does not punish the person who does the offence for his or her behaviour. The present law has procedural problems and so country has to bring in anti-discrimination law to all the sections of the society was said by Dr Mahmood-Ur-Rahman.
As per the Article 15(1) state should not discriminate against any person on the grounds of race, religion, place, sex or any of it and Article 16(1) states that everyone have equality of opportunity in the matter of employment. Hari Krishna Exports employees had denied that the Muslim boy was denied employment on the basis of his religion and they were booked under Section 153 B(1)(b)(c) of Indian Penal Code. Under this section if a person is denied any right on the basis of religion or caste will be punished. Thus looking into the problems prevailing on this experts have suggested that the present rules should cover the main aspect of equality and there should be a discrimination law which covers all sections of the society. Majeed Memon has denied this argument and said that the Indian system does allow anybody to seek legal remedy.
by Sushma Javare.
