Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Mar 6: Deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha K Rehman Khan indirectly criticized the Congress Party by asking the party and its leaders to introspect on the way they have used the Muslims and how they have been dealt with. "The minorities have been extending unconditional support to the Congress since long. However, instead of taking care of their social and economic problems, the party has just been treating them as vote banks," he criticized.
Speaking at the conference of minority unit state level delegates of the Congress held on Thursday March 5 at the palace grounds here, he opined that the Congress cannot shrug off its responsibility about the current economic backwardness of the Muslims. "As the Congress was in power for a considerable length of period after independence, it has a share in the present economic status of the Muslims," he stressed.
He said leaders of various parties have woken up to the ground reality and concentrated on organizing all the communities. What reply can I give to our community leaders when they ask me as to whether I feel ashamed at the fact that the party is just taking the Muslims for granted," he questioned.
"We have been opposing the BJP since long. Now neither can we cross over to that side, nor are we being treated with respect in the party. We are confused. It appears there are no leaders who have time and patience to listen to our grievances," he remarked.
Ex-union minister C K Jaffer Shariff demanded for setting aside share for the Muslims depending upon the ratio of their population, in all the sectors. “This is the right time to bring about constitutional amendment to ensure that the Muslims get their due share,” he added. "Raising slogans, claiming ourselves to be a secular party does not ensure social justice. Congress party has to prove what it claims to be. Muslims too have sacrificed a lot and become martyrs in the independence struggle, he said. He called upon the communists to change their viewpoint and help all the secular forces in the country to come together.
Ex-minister H K Patil suggested that the party should give leadership to only those who are loyal to the party for long. It should not give undue importance to people just because their community has a large presence. Such mistakes have cost the party dearly in the past, he explained.
Opposition leader in the legislative council V S Ugrappa, National president of the party's minorities unit Rehman Kidwai, ex-deputy chief minister M P Prakash and various other leaders were present.