Minority body calls govt sops ‘eyewash’

mohammad_safi_shamsi Posted: Apr 05, 2008 at 0051 hrs
Kolkata, April 4 With formal announcement of launching of courses at Aliah University and loans, scholarships, hostels for Muslim youths and death-cum-retirement benefits for the employees of the Board of Wakfs — Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee is expected to offer a bundle of sops to the state’s Muslim population on Saturday.

In a grand gathering to be held at Rabindra Sadan, the state government is all geared up to express its concern for the minorities. While the ruling CPM terms the move as delivery of government’s promises, a section of Muslim community views it as another “eyewash” for wooing the Muslim voters before the upcoming panchayat election. The All India Minorty Forum led by advocate Idris Ali, and the All India Majlis-e-Shura led by NR Barkati, Imam Tipu Sultan Mosque will be holding protests in various parts of the city as the function takes place.

Sources in the state Minorities Department reveal that significant announcements would be made at the function either by the chief minister or by other designated officials in his presence.