Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh pushes for fair share in jobs for minorities

(03 Nov. 2006) : The Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has declared that members of minority communities should get equitable share in government and public sector jobs. Women should be given preference among them, Prime Minister stated. "The Indian state has the solemn obligation to protect the life and liberty of all citizens, particularly those belonging to the minority communities. Those who seek to disturb communal peace and harmony must be dealt with firmly”, Dr. Singh stated. He also pointed out that,” India is a pluralist country and it must remain a nation where pluralism and socio-religious variety are respected. This nation does not belong to any single race, least of all to any group of religious extremists,'' the Prime Minister said.

In the meanwhile Minister for Minority Affairs, Mr. A.R. Antulay has announced that the National Minority Commission (NCM) would be given constitutional status. The constitutional status would enable NCM to summon officers to depose before it for failure to implement schemes for the benefit of minorities and dereliction of duty during communal riots. Mr. Antulay also assured that the Government would make provision for secondary and higher secondary schools in Muslim dominated areas and that they have adequate access to professional education, particularly medical and engineering courses.