A delegation of Muslim ulemas met the President Smt. Pratibha Patil in Lucknow on September 23 and submitted a memorandum demanding her to constitute a separate Planning Commission for Muslims under the present Planning Commission of India for their uplift. According to a press statement issued by secretary of Islamic Centre of India from Lucknow, the President assured a positive action over the memorandum.
The delegation included Maulana Khalid, Naib Imam of Firangi Mahal Idgah, Lucknow, Principal of Darul Ulum Nadvatul Ulama Maulana Dr Saidurrahman Azami Nadavi, general secretary of Dini Talimi Council Uttar Pradesh Dr Masaudul Hasan Usmani, general secretary of Ulama Council of India Maulana Naimurrahman and president of All India Sunni Board Maulana Muhammad Mushtaq. The delegation met under the banner of Islamic Centre of India.
The delegation also demanded the constitution of a commission under the chairmanship of a Supreme Court judge to inquire into the arrests of Muslim youth in connection with various terrorist activities during the last five years and the report of the Commission should be made public within one year. The arrests of innocent Muslims should be stopped under the pretext of terrorist activities and the unholy efforts to defame the Muslims for terrorism should be stopped forthwith. The backward Muslims should also be included in the Article 341. The backward Muslims should be granted reservation following the recommendations of Sachar Committee. The recommendations of Shri Krishna Commission should be implemented immediately and, more Muslim Universities should be established in the country like the Aligarh Muslim University. The delegation also appealed to the President to constitute a high level board consisting of Muslim MPs, MLAs and intellectuals for finding overall solution to the problems of Muslims.
(FOC)
