Muslims be given modern education: Joshi

Allahabad, Dec 2 (UNI) Senior BJP leader and former union HRD minister Murli Manohar Joshi today said if the centre was a well wisher of Muslims and wanted their development, it should arrange for modern education, especially science and technology, to their children.

Talking to newspersons here, Dr Joshi said the Muslim children should also be taught about the country's history and traditions.

''Muslims should not treat themselves as minorities. They are the citizens of this country like Hindus and enjoy all rights.'' He observed that the ancestors of both Hindus and Muslims were same, which has been scientifically and genetically proved.

''Certain political parties treat Muslims as vote bank, instead of taking concrete steps for their emancipation.'' Dr Joshi also lambasted the leaders opposing the hanging of 2001 Parliament attack convict Mohd Afzal Guru.

''Some people are hatching conspiracy to create a partition-like situation in the country,'' he said adding only those having the mindset of Muslim League were throwing the country to danger.

Dr Joshi said, ''Our constitutionalists had opposed reservation on the basis of religion in the beginning, but the union government was trying to bring out the ghost of reservation from the bottle.'' ''Financially poor in all religions and castes must be provided facilities and opportunities for progress. If the government frames such policies, we would respect and extend support.'' He said the Sachar Committee report had suggested the students holding degree from madaras be also given chance in government jobs.

''Without studying the madrasas' syllabus, such a step would prove harmful to national interests.'' Dr Joshi also criticised attack on the house of cricketer Mohd Kaif recently and said the guilty must be punished according to law.

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