Himachal Pradesh assembly yet to see a Muslim legislator

The Muslim representation in the state is just over 2.1 per cent. The Sikh population is also less in the state, but the community has a good representation in Himachal politics

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh): Jharkhand Assembly has designated a separate room for the legislators of the Muslim community to offer Namaz (prayers) recently. And, a similar demand is being raised in the Bihar assembly as well. However, if one looks at the history of the Himachal legislative assembly, the first to implement the e-legislation system in the country, no Muslim representative has ever been elected to the assembly since the formation of the state.

At present, there are a total of 68 assembly constituencies in the state and from the very beginning, the politics of Himachal has been dominated by Brahmins and Rajputs.

The non-representation of the Muslim community in the assembly could be because of the low percentage of the Muslim population in the state, which is just over 2.1 per cent. The Sikh population is also less in the state, however, they have had enough representation in Himachal politics.

The state with a population of more than 70 lakhs was formed on 15 April 1948. On 25 January 1971, Himachal became the 18th state in the country to achieve full statehood due to the efforts of visionary leader Dr Y.S. Parmar.

Himachal legislative assembly has acquired many unique dimensions since its formation. This is the first e-assembly in the country. Seven years ago this assembly became completely paperless. Apart from this, a paperless budget is also presented in the assembly.

Dr Y.S. Parmar, the first chief minister in Himachal, belonged to the Rajput community. Other CMs like Dr Parmar, Ramlal Thakur, Virbhadra Singh, Premkumar Dhumal and the current Chief Minister Jairam Thakur are also from the Rajput community. Shanta Kumar was the chief minister of Himachal twice and he belongs to the Brahmin community.

In the current government, besides the chief minister, Govind Singh Thakur, Mahendra Singh Thakur, Rakesh Pathania, Bikram Singh Thakur, Virendra Kanwar are from the Rajput community. Vipin Singh Parmar, speaker of the assembly is also a Rajput.

As the population is predominantly Brahmins and Rajputs, and they are dominating in politics, the state has not seen a chief minister from the scheduled caste or minority community.

READ:People in Himachal Pradesh want change: State Cong chief