Muslim professionals in India continue to face alarming levels of underrepresentation in public sector employment, particularly under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government. New data obtained through Right to Information (RTI) requests has exposed a glaring disparity in the healthcare sector in West Bengal.
According to a report by The Hindu, Muslims account for only 6.6% of doctor positions across nine government-run medical colleges in West Bengal, a state where Muslims make up 27.01% of the total population. The report highlights a stark imbalance in representation that experts say reflects broader national trends.
This underrepresentation is not limited to the medical field. A recent staff census published by Telegraph India revealed that Muslims constitute just 6.08% of the state’s total public-sector workforce. These figures fall far short of proportional representation, raising serious concerns about institutional inclusivity.
Nationally, while there has been a 70% increase in Muslim participation in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations in recent years, the actual impact remains limited. In the 2022 exam cycle, only around 5% of successful candidates were Muslims, and just four made it to the top 100 ranks.
Researchers and rights advocates attribute this consistent underrepresentation to systemic opacity. Out of the 23 medical colleges approached for data via RTI, only half responded. Several institutions reportedly declined to share details, citing health department directives restricting disclosure of caste and religious profiles.
Experts and civil rights groups warn that the lack of transparency and equitable representation could worsen socio-economic divides. They urge the government to adopt open data practices and affirmative policies to ensure fair access to public sector opportunities for all communities, particularly marginalized ones like Indian Muslims.
