How can the Muslim community contribute to accelerating GDP India?

The Muslim community can contribute a lot to accelerating GDP in India. Modi 2.0 has a clear goal to raise Indian GDP to $5 trillion by 2024. Further, Piyush Goyal, in his interim budget speech, categorically stated an aim to be a $10 trillion economy by 2032. BJP manifesto for Lok Sabha election 2019, also, has echoed the same with a roadmap and reform plans. So, India can be the 4th largest economy in the world by 2024. It needs accelerating Indian GDP growth rate by 2 to 3 percent. Now the question is how the Muslim community can contribute to accelerating GDP India?

Economic facts about the Muslim community

It is a well-known fact that the per capita income of the Muslim community in India is much lesser than the national average. A national survey based on the 2001 census revealed two major reasons.

1. High population growth
2. Poor participation of women in earning

Despite the fact that Muslims are more urbanized than the Hindus, per capita income of the community remains lower than the national average. The reason behind is that the community members are engaged in lower-income jobs. We see, only a few Muslims in top jobs. As Hamid Ansari, the then Vice-President of India told that only 3 percent of Muslims are working as directors or CEOs of top Indian corporations. We, hardly, find Muslims among top industrialists. Azim Premji may be an exception.

The Muslim population has poor education, by and large. Most of them are engaged in traditional craftsmanship or in a labor-intensive job. These are the major causes of their poverty. Hence, the community is contributing less to GDP India compared to the population. There is a need for the economic upliftment of the Muslim community in order to accelerate GDP growth in India.

Narendra Modi on the Muslim community

Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes in "Sabka sath, sabka vikas, Sabka vishwas". Muslims are not an exception. However, a socio-political change is required within the community. Modi has rightly said that he wants a Quran in a hand and a computer in another for Muslim students. This sentence advocates technical education for Muslim students besides religious education to raise their income. 

Modi government, in its first term, emphasized on women empowerment of the Muslim community. Triple Talaq bill is just an example that is opposed by the most opposition parties who surrendered to the orthodox religious leadership. Modi 2.0, again, is trying to table the bill and get it passed. Women empowerment can significantly change both the social and economic scenario of the community. 

Driving India to a $5 Trillion and $10 Trillion Economy

What can India learn from the US, China, and Japan to raise its GDP to $5 Trillion?

Regards,
Jyoti Kothari
Convener, Jaipur division
Prabhari, West Bengal,
Narendra Modi Vichar Manch