The Hindu : New Delhi News : V.P. Singh favours quota for backward classes among Muslims

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 30, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

V.P. Singh favours quota for backward classes among Muslims

Staff Reporter

"Relief should be given to people victimised on basis of birth and religion"

NEW DELHI: The former Prime Minister, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, on Tuesday said the benefits of reservation should be extended to backward classes among Muslims also.

Addressing a convention on reservation in education, organised by the All-India Milli Council and the South Indian Council here, Mr. Singh said reservation was provided to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, but there was no such provision for the backward classes among minorities. Relief should be given to those who had been victimised on the basis of their birth and religion.

"We need to build an inclusive society and the participation of all, including minorities, is required in the development of the country," said Mr. Singh.

The backward classes among minorities should be given their share according to their population.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the implementation of the Mandal Commission report, Mr. Singh said that almost 16 years had passed since the implementation of the Mandal Commission report but still there was much to be done. Reservation was a "pro-merit" step as it provided the meritorious and deserving among the deprived sections with an equal opportunity.

Union Minister Oscar Fernandes said reservation was a big step towards empowering the weaker sections.

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