The Hindu : Front Page : Banatwala objects to plan on minorities

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 09, 2007
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Banatwala objects to plan on minorities

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: G.M. Banatwala, president of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and former member of Parliament, has said he “strongly objects” to the United Progressive Alliance’s announcement that legislation will be considered in the next session of Parliament to authorise States to decide on who constitutes a minority.

Mr. Banatwala was speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration of the IUML’s Karnataka office, and the formation of the Youth League of IUML, Karnataka, here on Sunday. “Leaving a sensitive matter such as that of minorities to the discretion of individual States, would turn it into a political tool for the ruling party of that State. No such statutory authority must be given to States.”

Mr. Banatwala stressed the need to make public the Ranganath Mishra Committee Report which recommended 15 per cent reservation for Muslims. He said that steps had not been taken to implement the recommendations, except for a few “vague” announcements.

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

Front Page