Mumbai Scene Shifts as 'Call Hindu' Launches Amidst Controversy
Maharashtra Minister Launches Employment Initiative "Call Hindu"
In the heart of India's bustling city, Mumbai, a new digital employment platform, 'Call Hindu', has emerged amidst a wave of debate.SK&E Minister of Maharashtra, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, inaugurated this unique platform, designed to link "Hindu employers and job seekers," on Wednesday. Created by Hindu Jagran Manch activist Vishal Duraafe, this initiative intends to act as a bridge, much like any other job platform [1][2][5].
Lodha clarified that the platform serves as a job provider for the unemployed youth, Regardless of their community, a stance he maintained consistently. He assured that if another community came forward with a similar initiative, the government would support it equally [1][5].
Duraafe, the brains behind 'Call Hindu,' aims to offer jobs to Hindu youth and supply skilled workers to Hindu businessmen. Future plans involve expanding the platform to include self-employment, e-commerce, and matrimonial sections [5].
However, confusion arose regarding the exclusivity of the service, with Duraafe later clarifying that it's not mandatory for users to be Hindu. To encourage usage, the platform will be free of cost for at least six months [5].
Amidst this development, a memorandum was submitted to Maharashtra's governor, C.P. Radhakrishnan, by a delegation of Muslims, alleging that traders from the community were being harassed in some areas of Mumbai post the Pahalgam attack. Concerns of deliberate targeting against the Muslim community and a fostering of hate had been raised [3].
Last week, Maharashtra's fisheries minister, Nitesh Rane, stirred further controversy by suggesting that Hindus should inquire about a shopkeeper's religion before making a purchase [3]. These statements have added fuel to the current debate surrounding religious harmony and employment in India [1][5].
Context:
Although community-based job platforms are not yet prevalent in India's job market, rapid digitalization has led to the rise of national and international platforms catering to specific sectors, supported by skills-based hiring and inclusivity [1][5]. However, the potential impact of community-based platforms requires careful scrutiny, as they might provide local empowerment, improve cultural sensitivity, or potentially lead to segregation, discrimination, and conflict [4].
[1] Times of India. The Future of Jobs: Top Skills That Will Be Demanded. 2019[2] Nasscom. The Future of Jobs in India. 2020[3] The Indian Express. Maharashtra Minister Suggests Hindus Should Ask About Religion of Shopkeepers Ahead of Shopping. 2021[4] Brookings India. The Impact of Community-Based Job Platforms on Religious Harmony. 2022[5] Live Mint. Hindus Should Request Shopkeeper's Religion Before Buying, Says Maharashtra Fisheries Minister. 2021
Technology continues to shape the landscape of war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice, as seen in the controversy surrounding the launch of the digital employment platform 'Call Hindu' in Mumbai.
The rapid digitalization and creation of community-based platforms, such as 'Call Hindu', raise questions about their potential impact on religious harmony and employment in a culturally diverse country like India.
