DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68024#0294
286
obstructed or otherwise unfairly hindered in their candidature for public offices ; and whether
the application of educational tests places Muhammadan candidates at any special disadvan-
tage which ought to be specially removed. There is also the question whether any en-
dowments in the Provinces under the control of Government, or with the management of which
Government could interfere, might be better administered for promoting Muhammadan edu-
cation.
5. The first and perhaps the most important question is, whether fewer Muhammadans than
other religionists are employed under this Government, in proportion to the Muhammadan
population of the Provinces. The proportion of Muhammadans to Hindus (with whom alone
comparison need be made) varies in different parts of the Provinces; and while some of the
officers consulted have taken these varying local standards, others have adhered to the general
provincial proportion in dealing with the subject. It seems to the Lieutenant-Governor and
Chief Commissioner that the general proportion, which is, approximately, about 86'75 per cent,
of Hindus and 13'25 per cent, of Muhammadans, may be accepted as representing fairly, for all
parts of the Provinces, the relative' proportion of Muhammadans and Hindus in the North-
Western Provinces and Oudh. Again, it would appear from the statistics of the recent census
that while the proportion of literate persons in the whole male population of these Provinces
is 5T4 per cent., the proportion among the Muhammadan male population is 4'41 per cent,
against 5'05 amongst the Hindus. From the returns submitted by the officers consulted, an
abstract of which is appended to this letter, it appears that out of the 54,130 native officials
holding appointments under this Government, 35,302 are Hindus and 18,828 Muhammadans,
being 65'22 per cent. Hindus and 34'78 per cent. Muhammadans, as against 86'75 and 13'25
in the general population. It would thus appear that, not only as far as the proportion of
Muhammadans in the general population is concerned, but also with reference to the propor-
tion of literate persons among the Muhammadans, the allegation of the memorialists as to the
exclusion of Muhammadans from a fair share of Government patronage, seems not to be ap-
plicable to these Provinces. On the contrary, the figures in licate that, compared with their
numbers, Muhammadans have a large share of the appointments in the subordinate executive
and judicial services, while an analysis of the returns shows that of the better-paid among these
appointments the distribution is equally favourable to the Muhammadans In short, it mav
he unhesitatingly affirmed that of the probable number of persons of all creeds fitted for service
f the better sort under Government, the proportion of Muhammadans holding office is not
unfair. “ By the last census,” say the Board of Revenue in their reply on this subject,—
“ the Board understand that the Muhammadans are between a sixth and a seventh of the Hindu population
of these Provinces. The return of Deputy Collectors from 1859 shows that the number of Muhammadan De-
puty Collectors has actually in many years exceeded that of Hindus. It has always been out of all proportion
to the total number of the Muhammadan population. The same is the case to a still more marked degree with
tahsildars. In 1882 there were 95 Muhammadan tahsildars agaist 76 Hindu ones.”
And similar facts will be found stated in the 6th paragraph of the High Court's letter
appended to this letter.
6. The next question is, whether Muhammadans are fairly treated in their candidature for
public employ. The facts and figures given in the preceding paragraph form of themselves an
adequate reply to this question, since it is obvious that if Muhammadans have a large share of
State employment in proportion to their numbers, an adverse bias of the kind referred to in
the memorial can scarcely exist. The unanimous reply of all consulted officers is in accordance
with this view; and it may be said without hesitation that the work of the State is now
carried on at such a high pressure, that the main object of controlling officers is to secure the
most capable men, irrespective of sect, caste, or religion.
7. Upon the question of relaxing or altering the present educational tests, the opinions of
the officers consulted are unanimously adverse to any relaxation of the prescribed tests in
favour of Muhammadans. It is argued that special treatment of them in respect of educa-
tional qualifications would be contrary to the general principle of equal treatment in such
matters for all sects and classes, and would be detrimental to the interests of the Muham-
madans themselves. It cannot be said that undue regard is paid in these Provinces to Univer-
sity degrees, for very few of our native officers have thus qualified. And I am to point out
that at present the only compulsory test for candidates for miscellaneous Government employ
in these Provinces is that prescribed by Notification No. 1494 A., dated 16th July 1877, copy
of which is appended to this letter. In terms of this notification, candidates for employment
on salaries of R10 and upwards are required to pass the middle class examinations, which
represent a very moderate standard of efficiency. It may be observed that the test is so simple
that its removal would not advance the interests of any class, and would only be a retro-
gressive step in the interests of sound elementary education. With regard to judicial offices,
it is stated in the High Court's letter on the subject that there is nothing unfavourable to
Muhammadans in the rules as to the qualifications for the appointment of Munsif; and on the
obstructed or otherwise unfairly hindered in their candidature for public offices ; and whether
the application of educational tests places Muhammadan candidates at any special disadvan-
tage which ought to be specially removed. There is also the question whether any en-
dowments in the Provinces under the control of Government, or with the management of which
Government could interfere, might be better administered for promoting Muhammadan edu-
cation.
5. The first and perhaps the most important question is, whether fewer Muhammadans than
other religionists are employed under this Government, in proportion to the Muhammadan
population of the Provinces. The proportion of Muhammadans to Hindus (with whom alone
comparison need be made) varies in different parts of the Provinces; and while some of the
officers consulted have taken these varying local standards, others have adhered to the general
provincial proportion in dealing with the subject. It seems to the Lieutenant-Governor and
Chief Commissioner that the general proportion, which is, approximately, about 86'75 per cent,
of Hindus and 13'25 per cent, of Muhammadans, may be accepted as representing fairly, for all
parts of the Provinces, the relative' proportion of Muhammadans and Hindus in the North-
Western Provinces and Oudh. Again, it would appear from the statistics of the recent census
that while the proportion of literate persons in the whole male population of these Provinces
is 5T4 per cent., the proportion among the Muhammadan male population is 4'41 per cent,
against 5'05 amongst the Hindus. From the returns submitted by the officers consulted, an
abstract of which is appended to this letter, it appears that out of the 54,130 native officials
holding appointments under this Government, 35,302 are Hindus and 18,828 Muhammadans,
being 65'22 per cent. Hindus and 34'78 per cent. Muhammadans, as against 86'75 and 13'25
in the general population. It would thus appear that, not only as far as the proportion of
Muhammadans in the general population is concerned, but also with reference to the propor-
tion of literate persons among the Muhammadans, the allegation of the memorialists as to the
exclusion of Muhammadans from a fair share of Government patronage, seems not to be ap-
plicable to these Provinces. On the contrary, the figures in licate that, compared with their
numbers, Muhammadans have a large share of the appointments in the subordinate executive
and judicial services, while an analysis of the returns shows that of the better-paid among these
appointments the distribution is equally favourable to the Muhammadans In short, it mav
he unhesitatingly affirmed that of the probable number of persons of all creeds fitted for service
f the better sort under Government, the proportion of Muhammadans holding office is not
unfair. “ By the last census,” say the Board of Revenue in their reply on this subject,—
“ the Board understand that the Muhammadans are between a sixth and a seventh of the Hindu population
of these Provinces. The return of Deputy Collectors from 1859 shows that the number of Muhammadan De-
puty Collectors has actually in many years exceeded that of Hindus. It has always been out of all proportion
to the total number of the Muhammadan population. The same is the case to a still more marked degree with
tahsildars. In 1882 there were 95 Muhammadan tahsildars agaist 76 Hindu ones.”
And similar facts will be found stated in the 6th paragraph of the High Court's letter
appended to this letter.
6. The next question is, whether Muhammadans are fairly treated in their candidature for
public employ. The facts and figures given in the preceding paragraph form of themselves an
adequate reply to this question, since it is obvious that if Muhammadans have a large share of
State employment in proportion to their numbers, an adverse bias of the kind referred to in
the memorial can scarcely exist. The unanimous reply of all consulted officers is in accordance
with this view; and it may be said without hesitation that the work of the State is now
carried on at such a high pressure, that the main object of controlling officers is to secure the
most capable men, irrespective of sect, caste, or religion.
7. Upon the question of relaxing or altering the present educational tests, the opinions of
the officers consulted are unanimously adverse to any relaxation of the prescribed tests in
favour of Muhammadans. It is argued that special treatment of them in respect of educa-
tional qualifications would be contrary to the general principle of equal treatment in such
matters for all sects and classes, and would be detrimental to the interests of the Muham-
madans themselves. It cannot be said that undue regard is paid in these Provinces to Univer-
sity degrees, for very few of our native officers have thus qualified. And I am to point out
that at present the only compulsory test for candidates for miscellaneous Government employ
in these Provinces is that prescribed by Notification No. 1494 A., dated 16th July 1877, copy
of which is appended to this letter. In terms of this notification, candidates for employment
on salaries of R10 and upwards are required to pass the middle class examinations, which
represent a very moderate standard of efficiency. It may be observed that the test is so simple
that its removal would not advance the interests of any class, and would only be a retro-
gressive step in the interests of sound elementary education. With regard to judicial offices,
it is stated in the High Court's letter on the subject that there is nothing unfavourable to
Muhammadans in the rules as to the qualifications for the appointment of Munsif; and on the