The Hindu : Front Page : VS flays IUML for false campaign

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 13, 2007
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Front Page

VS flays IUML for false campaign

Staff Reporter

Says government has not taken any decision to change school timing

‘No move to destroy madrassa education’
Welfare fund for madrassa teachers mooted

MALAPPURAM: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan on Wednesday berated the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and its leaders for “leading a false campaign” about the proposed educational reforms in the State. He called upon the people to realise the truth and not to be misled by false propaganda.

Inaugurating a public meeting, marking the conclusion of a three-day district conference of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) here, Mr. Achuthanandan said that the IUML had resorted to a misinformation campaign about the proposed change in school timing. “The government has not taken any decision to change school timing,” he said.

Assuaging the fears raised by the Muslim community, Mr. Achuthanandan said that the government would not make any move to destroy the madrassa education in the State. Reports saying that the proposed change in school timing would destroy the structure of religious education in the State were being circulated with evil intentions, he said. “The government will not harm madrassa education,” he reiterated.

The Chief Minister said there was no change in the government’s approach towards Christian minorities. He pointed out that the Sachar Committee report had praised the Kerala government for ensuring reservation for the Muslim community. He said it was the E.M.S. Namboodiripad government of 1957 that introduced minority reservation across the State. Till then, Mr. Achuthanandan said, the quota system had been confined to Travancore alone. He blamed the IUML for not admitting that fact.

The Chief Minister said the government would consider providing fund for the welfare of one and a half lakh madrassa teachers in the State. Mr. Achuthanandan criticised KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala for ignoring the plight of lakhs of coconut farmers. He said the import policies being followed by the Congress-led government at the Centre had harmed the farmers.

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