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.
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.
