http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=83039
Congress pushes for Dalit Muslim quota
Press Trust of India
Posted online: Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 1831 hours IST
Updated: Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 1842 hours IST
New Delhi, March 15: Apparently with an eye on the coming UP Assembly
elections, the Congress advocated a separate quota for Dalit Muslims as well as
reservation in the OBC category for people belonging to the community.
"Muslims should get reservation under the backward category (OBCs) besides a
separate quota for Dalit Muslims," HRD Minister Arjun Singh said addressing a
conference organised by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind to discuss various issues including
the Sachar committee report on status of Muslims.
"The UPA is entirely committed towards the cause of Muslims," he said,
adding this was not appeasement of any particular community but more of a
humanitarian service.
Minister of State for Communication & IT Shakil Ahmad read out a message from
Congress president Sonia Gandhi stating the government will debate the findings
of Sachar report and was committed towards restoring peace and happiness among
communities.
Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh said his party never indulged in vote
bank politics and always worked for the uplift of the Muslims.
He said it was the duty of the state governments to implement the Sachar
committee report. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind demanded an amendment in Article
341 of the Constitution to include Dalit Muslims in its purview. It also
pressed for increase in the share of Muslims in government jobs and creation of
a legal cell to look into the grievances of the community. The issue of
inclusion of Muslims in the OBC category also figured in the conference
attended by delegates from across the country. RLD chief Ajit Singh said
Muslims have been victims of vote bank politics that has rendered them
economically, socially and educationally backward. All India Muslim
Majlis-e-Mushawrat leader Syed Shahabuddin suggested mosques should not only be
places of worship but also centres for community service.
"Government should set up centres to disseminate information in the community
regarding various educational schemes," Shahabuddin said.
Mother and Motherland are greater than heaven.
(Jananee janmabhoomischa swargaadapi gareeyasi)
Lord Rama In the Ramayana
