CPI asks govt to take steps for Muslim empowerment

New Delhi, Nov 30 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (CPI) today urged the government to take immediate steps for the social, political and economic empowerment of Muslims, saying that the Indian democracy had ''failed to give them equal opportunities as revealed in the Sachar Committee Report''.

''The government should come out with some practical strategy ensuring them special assistance, access to jobs and educational facilities, easy bank loans and opportunities for socio-cultural development,'' CPI Floor Leader in the Lok Sabha Gurudas Dasgupta said at a press conference here.

Mr Dasgupta said the government should not ''dither'' on taking the initative due to fear of the ''vote bank'' or the BJP.

The Report, which has been tabled in Parliament today, has documented the ''horrible condition'' of the Muslims, indicating the failure of the Indian political system in this regard, he said.

Mr Dasgupta, flanked by senior party leaders -- Sudharkar Reddy and Ajay Choudhry -- quoted facts and figures from the report to emphasise that the condition of the country's Muslims was worse than even the Dalits.

''The political system has denied basic facilities to Muslims, the second largest group in the country,'' the CPI leader said, adding that 15 crore Muslims needed urgent governmental assistance.

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