By TCN News,
New Delhi: A high-level delegation of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) yesterday met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh here and put before him a 15-point memorandum consisting of various demands for the welfare of the Muslim community in India and Kerala. Urging the PM to step in to implement UPA measures for the uplift of the community, IUML reiterated its support to the Congress-led Government at the centre.
The IUML delegation led by its National President and MoS Railways, E. Ahamed, expressed concern at the slow pace of development to alleviate the hardships of the minorities as PM’s 15-point program is not being implemented properly by all ministries.
“Our party deeply appreciates the formation of the Ministry of Minorities Affairs by the UPA Government and it was a first welcome step in addressing the problems and sufferings of the minorities. However, we are sorry to point out that the pace of development achieved by the Government in many fields in the country cannot be seen in the efforts to alleviate the hardships of the minorities through many of the programmes announced by your Government. For example, the 15 Points Programme which you have formulated for the welfare of the minorities is not being implemented by some Ministries in the right earnest as was expected. Many of the State Governments are very much lethargic in its implementation leading to the denial of justice to minorities,” the party said in the memorandum.
Expressing concern over slow rate of implementation of recommendations of Sachar Committee, IUML urged the PM to step in and direct the states in this regard.
“It is a matter of pride that the Government under your leadership has taken significant steps to implement the recommendations of the Sachaar Committee. However, many States have adopted a lukewarm attitude in implementing the decision taken by the Central Government. Therefore we request you to direct the States to implement all your decisions in respect of the Sachaar Committee findings.”
The Muslim League leaders demanded that statutory powers be granted to the National Commission for Minorities. “The Bill proposing the amendments to empower the Commission with statutory powers is still pending in the Parliament. It is imperative on the part of the Government of India to give top priority for this Bill to be adopted.”
The IUML delegation also demanded constitution of Equal Opportunities Commission and implementation of the recommendations of Ranganath Mishra Commission.
“The Ranganath Mishra Commission which was constituted to study the problems and representation of the religious minorities and linguistic minorities has made some recommendations which also should be taken seriously and acted upon. Needless to mention that there is abysmally poor representations of Muslims in services and legislatures. In this context, recommendations of Ranganath Mishra Commission are worth considering to redress the grievances of the community so as to ensure them adequate representations in service and legislatures.”
The IUML delegation supported the demand raised in the Parliament for including caste as one of the data being collected in the census. “India is a multi religious, multi ethnic nation hence there is no harm in mentioning their religion or caste in the census. As the matter is now before the GOM, we take this opportunity to request the Prime Minister that the religion, caste and community of the person should be identified and included in the census data.” The party also demanded the PM to ensure that the pilgrimage of Haj this year is also managed well as Delhi High Court has expressed reservations regarding the constitution of the Haj Committee of India.
The party appreciated the government decision to make statutory changes in facilitating the Indian nationals the right to vote in the elections to the Parliament and the Legislative Assemblies. “This is the fulfillment of the long cherished wish of the people of Indian origin living in foreign lands especially in Gulf countries.”
Regarding Kerala, IUML demanded a separate Railway Zone in the state as this has been the neglected state with regard to railway development. The leaders also expressed gratitude for the decision to approve releasing a commemorative stamp on the first death anniversary day of departed IUML leader Syed Mohamed Ali Shihab Thangal which falls on 1st August 2010.
The delegation, which was led by E. Ahamed, included Kunhali Kutty, General Secretary, Muslim League Kerala State Committee and E.T. Mohammed Basheer, MP & Secretary Kerala State Committee.