NEW DELHI : Calling for the "utmost restraint" in all quarters while protesting against the publication of a caricature of Prophet Muhammed in a Danish newspaper, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said the Government shared deep concern over its publication.

"We have [the] greatest respect for all religions. India's commitment to tolerance and upholding religious harmony is unshakeable, but statements by some sections of our people are not acceptable. I am sure that all our political and religious leaders would do nothing to inflame public opinion and exercise the utmost restraint." He was replying to the debate in the Rajya Sabha on the President's Address.

Dr. Singh pointed out that India had conveyed its outrage to the Danish Government in October last, both in New Delhi and Copenhagen. He said the newspaper should tender an apology and ensure that such acts were not repeated. The Government condemned the action of any country to offend the sentiments of any community, he said, adding that the publication of cartoons had offended Muslims worldwide.

Though Dr. Singh did not name anybody, the obvious reference was to a Uttar Pradesh Minister's statement announcing a reward to anyone who killed the Danish cartoonist.

Dismisses charge

On the controversy over the headcount of Muslims in the armed forces, Dr. Singh assured the House that the forces would continue to remain "apolitical, secular, professional and merit-based." He dismissed the Opposition charge of appeasement by creation of a separate Ministry of Minority Affairs, saying that in a democracy, the Government must be committed to the welfare of the weaker sections. "Our Government stands for empowerment of all and appeasement of none."

The Prime Minister hoped that the Justice Sachar Committee would be able to gather "reliable, accurate data on social and economic conditions" of Muslims. The findings would be discussed in Parliament.

Inflation

Dr. Singh touched upon the economy, his Government's initiatives in infrastructure development, agriculture, rural employment and health and internal security. The UPA Government would make all efforts to keep the prices stable and generate employment. He exuded confidence that India would register a growth rate of eight to 10 per cent.

Maintaining that inflation had been kept under check despite surging global oil prices, he said the decision to import wheat was a "precautionary measure."

Balanced package

Several programmes, including National Rural Employment Guarantee and Bharat Nirman, were a balanced package to revitalise the rural economy. The Government was committed to making the growth process "inclusive and equitable."

Over the last 20 months it had made massive investments in infrastructure development such as roads, rail, airports and ports. The high investment rate of 31 per cent of the GDP was a deliberate measure to "blunt and soften harsh edges" of extreme poverty conditions.

CMP basic guide

Dr. Singh assured the House that the Government was committed to basing its policies on the Common Minimum Programme (CMP), which remained the basic guide for formulation of policies.

The motion of thanks was adopted by voice vote after Opposition amendments were negated. Objecting to certain observations in the Prime Minister's reply while he was 15 minutes into it, BJP members staged a walkout.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail