The Hindu : National : NDA's actions have hurt India's image abroad, says Sonia

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Monday, May 30, 2005

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NDA's actions have hurt India's image abroad, says Sonia

Staff Reporter

All measures will be taken to help minorities, cites repeal of POTA as an example

STANDS BY MINORITIES: Congress president Sonia Gandhi at the general session of the Jamait-e-Ulema-e-Hind Rally on Ramlila Ground in New Delhi on Sunday. — Photo: Sandeep Saxena

NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday accused the previous BJP-led National Democratic Alliance Government of "practising the politics of communalism and hatred" and charged it with distorting history by making changes in school curricula.

Addressing a conference organised by the Jamait-e-Ulema-e-Hind here, Ms. Gandhi alleged that the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government did not even spare the history of the freedom struggle and presented it in a distorted manner. In an apparent reference to the Gujarat riots in 2002, she said that "what has happened in the past few years has hurt the country and its image abroad."

Ms. Gandhi said all the "evil designs" of the previous Government in the field of education had been exposed and efforts were being made to see that it did not affect communal harmony and peace. She said all measures would be taken to help minorities in the country.

Recalling the measures being taken by the Centre for the welfare of the minorities, the Congress president said the repealing of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) was one such step.

"Still a lot needs to be done. We may not be working up to your expectation, but I assure you that all genuine demands will be addressed. Our intention is sincere," Ms. Gandhi said.

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