The Hindu : Front Page : CPI (M) seeks programme for minorities

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Tuesday, Mar 06, 2007
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CPI (M) seeks programme for minorities

Special Correspondent

Party releases a charter for advancement of Muslim community

— Photo: Shanker Chakravarty

CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Monday.

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday asked the Centre to frame a concrete programme to address the discrimination being faced by minorities especially Muslims.

The recommendations of the Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee should be taken into account, it said. The programme has to be backed with adequate funds. It also suggested reservation for Dalit Muslims.

``The proposals are not purely propagandist. We like it to be realistic as to what can be done by the Central Government. We are sending the report to various organisations and individuals for their feedback and will take a final view at a convention,'' party general secretary Prakash Karat, said at a press conference.

He was releasing a ``Charter for Advancement of Muslim Community.'' Mohammed Salim, MP and convener of the party committee that studied the Sachar Committee recommendations, was present.

Mr. Karat said the Sachar report highlighted the ``deplorable socio-economic plight'' of the mass of the Muslim community and served to highlight the urgent need to adopt measures for the uplift in social and economic conditions of 13.8 crore Muslims, who constitute 13.4 per cent of the population.

The UPA Government, he said, should not allow itself to be browbeaten or succumb to the propaganda about ``minority appeasement.'' It should take steps in a time-bound framework for development of the Muslims with special focus on employment, income generation, education and security.

The party asked the Government to formulate a sub-plan for the Muslims with specific budgetary allocation in all development schemes in proportion to their population at the all-India level; monitor implementation of existing schemes and increase allocation to institutions such as the Maulana Azad Foundation, the National Minorities Development Corporation, the Wakf Council etc; steps to protect the Wakf properties; ensure Integrated Child Development Schemes and primary health centres in Muslim populated villages; and have special schemes to ensure housing for poorer sections.

On employment and income generation, the party said that besides providing reservation for Dalit Muslims, the Government should give adequate representation for Muslims in the State and Central security forces; empanel adequate numbers in recruitment boards of selection committees; give easy credit especially for women engaged in traditional work as artisans; pay attention to women's self-help groups with bank linkages; devise skill development programme to upgrade traditional skills; and ensure allocation of plots, shops, stalls, petrol/gas dealership. It emphasised the need for OBC Muslims to get an adequate share of reserved quota. The suggestions on the education front include schools imparting modern education in all districts and blocks with sizeable Muslim population; incentives for women and girls' education with an increase in the number of hostels; increase in stipends and scholarships on means-cum-merit basis; recruitment of Urdu-speaking teachers; and introduction of scientific and job-oriented education in madrasas.

The party said that in order to ensure security, justice must be ensured to communal violence victims; all perpetrators of violence regardless of their public or official position must be brought to book; recommendation of the Justice Sri Krishna Commission on Mumbai violence must be implemented; and time-bound CBI probe into Gujarat violence must be immediately initiated.

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