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Friday, Sep 24, 2004

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National

Muslim body flays RSS demand

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 23. The All-India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat today condemned the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's demand for withdrawal of constitutional benefits of the Scheduled Tribes if they convert to other religions.

"This amounts to denial of human rights and religious freedom," the AIMMM president and former MP, Syed Shabuddin, said.

He drew attention to a resolution adopted by the Kendriya Karyakari Mandal at its meeting here, which demanded that members of the Scheduled Tribes who embrace Christianity or any other religion be barred from enjoying the constitutional benefits such as government employment and the right to contest from reserved seats.

`Tribals being misguided'

Mr. Shabuddin said the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (VKA) was actively involved in converting members of the Scheduled Tribes, including Christians, to Hinduism.

"The Sangh Parivar is seeking accelerated conversion of tribals to Hinduism by misguiding them that they can retain their benefits only if they become Hindus."

The AIMMM also demanded that the Government derecognise the VKA and stop all aid and assistance to it as a result of its "unconstitutional stand."

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