The Hindu : New Delhi News : ‘Minority quota being considered’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 18, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

New Delhi

New Delhi

‘Minority quota being considered’

Special Correspondent

Shivraj Patil

NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has said the government is exploring the possibility of providing reservation to minorities in educational institutions and jobs.

Referring to the debate on reservation for minorities during his inaugural address at the State Minorities Conference here, the Minister said: “We cannot say it cannot be done.”

Of the view that a little bit of ingenuity should be used to find the best possible way to address the issue, Mr. Patil said: “We have to apply our minds to find out how it can be done in the best possible manner. We are looking into the matter but have not come to a conclusion as yet.”

Later, addressing a press conference at the end of a meeting of the National Monitoring Committee for Minority Education (NMCME), Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Arjun Singh was non-committal when asked if reservation for minorities was being considered. “Lots of issues are [to be] considered,” he said.

As for the definition of ‘minority’ — a contentious issue in several States — Mr. Singh was guarded, stating that it was defined in the national perspective with inputs from States for the benefit of precision. However, he refused to elaborate saying that it could generate a controversy.

‘No motives’

Questioned about his reasons for championing the cause of minorities and the disadvantaged sections of society, the Minister said: “I have been doing this for 50 years. I do not need a new reason other than the fact that this is a Constitutional mandate. So, do not attribute motives.”

Appreciating the progress that has been made in recent years vis-À-vis the drop-out rate among the Muslims and the modernisation of ‘madrasas,’ Mr. Singh was critical of Gujarat for not supporting the Centre’s efforts to uplift the lot of minorities. “But, we will continue with our efforts.”

Giving details of what transpired at the NMCME, Mr. Singh said there was “near unanimity” on the controversial issue of setting up a Central madrasa board.

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

New Delhi