Lack of provisions for education, health, and economic growth leaves the community disillusioned
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — The Union Budget 2025 has disappointed the Muslim community, with many feeling neglected by the government’s financial roadmap. Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas,” the budget has failed to provide substantial support to Muslim education, healthcare, or economic development, leaving the community disillusioned.
The budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, did not introduce any significant schemes or exemptions specifically targeting the upliftment of Muslims. Community leaders, academics, and politicians have expressed their concern over what they perceive as continued neglect of minority welfare.
Dr Rehan Akhtar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Sunni Theology at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), voiced his concerns, stating, “We had high expectations from the budget. We believed that the government would introduce schemes for Muslim education and economic upliftment. However, we have received nothing. While some goods have become cheaper, that does not address our core concerns.”
Echoing his sentiment, Mohammad Salman Sabir, a non-teaching staff member at AMU, said, “We expected our prime minister to provide substantial funds for education and health for Muslims. Unfortunately, no such initiative has been announced. We still hope the government will take steps to ensure our progress.”
The total budget allocation for minority welfare is Rs 3,350 crore, a marginal increase from last year’s Rs 3,183.24 crore. However, experts argue that this remains an insignificant fraction of the total budget, amounting to just 0.066% of overall allocations.
The budget has also drawn sharp criticism from political leaders and social activists, who argue that the government is systematically underfunding Muslim welfare initiatives.
Mohammad Ali Shabbir, an advisor to the Telangana government, condemned the budget’s neglect of minorities, stating, “Despite the government’s repeated assurances, there is no real commitment to the welfare of minorities. The allocation remains negligible compared to the overall budget. The BJP-led government continues to ignore the educational and economic needs of Muslims.”
Shabbir also pointed to the reductions in pre-matric and merit-cum-means scholarships, which have been crucial in enabling Muslim students to pursue higher education. “Instead of empowering minorities through education, the government is cutting down essential funds. This budget does not reflect an inclusive approach,” he said.
Congress MLA from Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal Arif Masood was more direct in his criticism, declaring, “Minorities should stop expecting anything from the BJP government. The budget provides nothing for us. Even Bihar, which has a significant Muslim population, has been ignored despite repeated mentions. The BJP’s approach is clear — there is no space for minorities in its economic policies.”
A major concern among Muslim community leaders is the reduction in crucial scholarship funds. While the post-matric scholarship allocation saw a slight increase, the pre-matric and merit-cum-means scholarship funds have been reduced.
Educational activists argue that such budgetary cuts will only widen the economic and educational gap between Muslims and other communities. “For many Muslim students, these scholarships are the only way to access quality education. By cutting these funds, the government is effectively closing the doors of opportunity for thousands of students,” said a scholar from AMU who preferred to remain anonymous.
The budget has also been criticised for failing to address the economic challenges faced by the Muslim community. Many had hoped for special provisions to promote entrepreneurship and employment among Muslim youth. However, no such initiatives have been introduced.
This year’s budget continues a trend of declining support for minority welfare. Over the past few years, funding for key educational and social initiatives aimed at Muslims has been consistently reduced. Experts argue that such policies only deepen socio-economic disparities and marginalise Muslims further.
Despite criticism, some within the Muslim community remain hopeful. “We still have faith that the government will introduce some reforms in the future to address our concerns. However, as of now, we feel left out of the development narrative,” said Salman Sabir.
The Union Budget 2025 has reinforced long-standing grievances within the Muslim community regarding government policies. With reduced allocations for education, scholarships, and welfare, Muslims feel increasingly alienated from the government’s vision for national progress.
As debates continue, the demand for fair and equitable policies remains stronger than ever. Community leaders urge the government to reconsider its stance and prioritise the upliftment of all sections of society, ensuring that no group is left behind in the country’s development journey.
