KOZHIKODE: Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi has said the Centre will implement the report of the Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee. The committee was appointed by the Prime Minister to evaluate the social, economic and educational status of Muslims in India.

Addressing Congress workers at the District Congress Committee (DCC) office here on Saturday, Mr. Ravi said though the CPI(M) was advocating the implementation of report, the plight of Muslims in West Bengal was `miserable.'

Mr. Ravi said the attacks against the Nehru family had been going on for many years. What Rahul Gandhi said were historical facts.

"It was George Fernandes, an NDA leader, who set up the defence counsel for killers of Rajiv Gandhi," the Minister alleged.

DCC president K.C. Abu, former DCC presidents N.P. Moidheen and M. Veerankutty and P. Sankaran were among those who attended the function.

Discussions with NRIs

Mr. Ravi said the exact location of the proposed Non-Resident Indian (NRI)\Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) University has not been decided yet.

Addressing a press conference after a function at the District Congress Committee (DCC) office here on Saturday, Mr. Ravi said discussions would be held with the NRIs who were investing in the venture on the issue of the university.

To set up panel

An official had been appointed for the setting up of the university. Advisory Committee and Evaluation Committee in this regard should also be set up.

Asked whether Kerala, with its highest number of NRIs, would be an ideal location, Mr. Ravi said the case need not be so as the university would be located where the students were willing to join in large numbers. State Government has not yet come up with a proposal to offer land for the proposed university.

He said the Congress party had not disowned Narasimha Rao, former Prime Minister. But on certain issues like the demolition of the Babri Masjid, the party members, including himself, had expressed their differences over his stand.

On media syndicate

Asked whether there was a `media syndicate' as alleged by CPI(M) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, Mr. Ravi said he was not sure what Mr. Vijayan was hinting at. According to him, there was a group of `Marxists' within the media who had spread news reports of the death of eight tribals in Muthanga tribal agitation.

However, A.K. Antony, then Chief Minister, did not rebuke the media. "This was Congress stand," he said.

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