Muslim clerics and leaders who were present at the meeting said the UPA government’s decision has ‘hurt’ them.

“This is unfortunate,” eminent Muslim cleric Fazlur Rahman told the minister.

The Bangladeshi author, who is at present staying at a secret location in New Delhi, was forced to flee Kolkata after a protest by All-India Minority Forum turned violent.

Apart from this, Dasmunsi was also on the firing line for “failing to implement the Sachar panel recommendations” that had highlighted the economic backwardness of the community.

Alleging that the Centre did not take any steps for the betterment of the community, Muslim leaders held that despite announcing various schemes, the UPA government has failed to offer any concrete solutions for uplifting the condition of minorities in the country.

The Congress would not prosper if it fails to meet the aspirations of various minorities in the country, representatives of the various minority communities — Muslim, Sikhs and Christian — they added.

The minister assured them of all possible help for the welfare of the communities. Earlier in the day, Dasmunsi also met state Congress leaders and discussed the forthcoming panchayat elections.