Common platform for Muslims, Dalits, OBC by CPI

Bhopal, May 28: The Communist Party of India has provided a common platform 'Insaf' for Dalits, Muslims and Other Backward Classes for their uplift, says CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan.

Such a platform had already started functioning in Andhra Pradesh and it would be expanded to other states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, shortly, said Mr Bardhan while addressing the Madhya Pradesh-level conference here last night on the Sachar Committee report on Muslims.

He appealed to the Muslims, Dalits and OBCs to make use of the platform to protect their rights.

Stating that the Sachar Committee report was an eye-opener on the condition of minorities in the country, the CPI leader said the country's progress could be ensured only with the participation of all communities.

After Indonesia, India has the largest Muslim population. In such a situation, every body had to think about providing facilities for the socio-economic development and education of the minorities, he said.

In a democratic system, Mr Bardhan said, the majority party formed the government, but all governments had the responsibility to safeguard the interests of the minorities.

Referring to the majority of muslims in Jammu and Kashmir, he said such sections should not be deprived of their rights merely on the basis of majority in a particular state.

Rejecting the BJP claim that the UPA government was indulging in muslim appeasement, the CPI leader said the muslims would not have been in such deplorable condition if the Centre framed policies aimed at their appeasement.

Assurancy of his party's support for the implementation of the Sachar Committee report, Mr Bardhan said the Muslim community should also come forward and join the struggle to protect their interests.

Rajya Sabha Member Syed Aziz Pasha suggested that the Waqf Board properly should be freed of government control to ensure the economic upliftment of muslims.

Madhya Pradesh Minority Commission's former chief Ibrahim Qureshi opposed the suggestion to classify Muslims into three categories saying Islam opposed such divisions.

UNI