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Sachar report is Congress' poll stunt: Samajwadi

Atiq Khan

"Report changed to suit Congress' political interests in Uttar Pradesh"

LUCKNOW: In a bid to pre-empt the possibility of the Congress using the Rajinder Sachar Committee report for electoral gains in the coming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the Samajwadi Party-led State Government on Friday rubbished the report on the status of Muslims in the country.

The Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Government alleged that the report was changed to suit the Congress' political interests in Uttar Pradesh, which, barring Jammu and Kashmir, has the largest concentration of Muslims in the country.

Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mohd. Azam Khan alleged that Union Minister for Minority Affairs Abdul Rehman Antulay had not gone through the document.

Describing the Sachar report as a "poll stunt" of the Congress, Mr. Khan said it was presented to the Prime Minister, with an eye on the Assembly elections, likely to be held in February-March 2007.

Mr. Khan rejected the committee's findings vis-à-vis representation of Muslims in Central and State Government services.

The Minister also rejected the panel's suggestion that a commission be constituted to ensure equal opportunity for Muslims in terms of employment and education. He wanted special opportunities created for the community.

On its part, the Government has decided to press for reservation for Dalit Muslims — suggested by the Sachar panel — and for Dalit Christians. Mr Yadav was scheduled to table a resolution to this effect in the Assembly on November 22. It was, however, deferred, as Mr. Yadav was not present in the House. The resolution is likely to be tabled on December 4.

Dismissing the charges levelled against the party, chief spokesperson of the UPCC Akhilesh Pratap Singh said that the Government was misleading Muslims for political gains.

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