The Hindu : Front Page : Spell out stand on quota issue, Muslim League tells CPI(M)

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Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Spell out stand on quota issue, Muslim League tells CPI(M)

Special Correspondent

Kunhalikutty accuses CPI(M) of being vague

P.K. Kunhalikutty accuses CPI(M) of being vague on the issue.

KOZHIKODE: Enthused by the positive response to the Government's decision to ensure reservation norms in its services, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leadership on Monday asked the Communist Party of India (Marxist) to spell out its stand on the Narendran Commission's report instead of criticising the report "in vague terms."

Speaking at a press conference here, IUML State general secretary P. K. Kunhalikutty accused the CPI(M) of deliberately speaking in ambiguous terms while criticising the United Democratic Front (UDF) Government's decision. The CPI(M) should spell out its stand vis-a-vis the points raised in the Narendan panel report.

The League leader said the decision on reservation of jobs for minorities and backward communities had to be seen as a response to the larger issues pertaining to social justice raised by the Narendran Commission in its report and not merely as one that concerned reservation of jobs.

He said the Government's decision was aimed at ensuring a proper representation for backward communities and minorities in State services in future. It was true that no action had been taken to make up for the deficit in recruitments for reserved posts. There were practical difficulties in meeting the demand, though the Muslim League believed that the demand was legitimate, he said.

He said the decision was the best possible in the given social and political climate. He believed that the response of the Nair Service Society (NSS) to the efforts for a consensus on the issue was "positive and healthy."

The Muslim League, he said, was happy that it had been able to play a key role in finding an amicable formula.

The IUML working committee at its meeting in Kozhikode on Sunday congratulated the Government for its decision. ``This decision is a milestone in the history of social justice," a resolution said.

He said the Muslim League would organise four regional conferences on "reservation and social justice." These would be at Kasaragod, Kozhikode, Ernakulam and Kollam. The dates would be announced later, Mr. Kunhalikutty said.

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