Equality to all communities key to development : Pranab

Kolkata, Sep 1 (UNI) External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today categorically said unless all the communities develop a sense of belonging, the progress of the country would not be possible.

Addressing a convention, organised by the West Bengal Pradesh Congress (Sachar) Committee here, Mr Mukherjee said, '' Some people in the country opine that there is no need to do anything for the minority community but this attitude should be changed. The minority community should have equal right at par with the majority community. '' He said, '' India is secular state and so national integrity is a part and parcel of our country. If any community is always deprived of the facilities, it will not be possible for the country to move forward. '' How a country could go ahead when people belonging to the minority community continued to be deprived, he stated.

The Congress would organise mass campaign demanding a clarification from the Centre on the latter's stand on the Sachar Committee report, Mr Mukherjee said.

UNI