By Syed Ali Mujtaba, special to TwoCircles.net
Chennai: The Indian Union Muslim League (IMUL) discussed various issues pertaining to minority community at its national executive meeting held here on Sunday. This includes problems faced by the Muslims and other backward communities. Implementation of the Sachar Committee report, quota for the minorities and the India-US nuclear deal
In his inaugural address, Kerala State Muslim League president Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal called for early implementation of the Sachar Committee report.
“Effective steps should be taken by the government to realise the vision of Justice Rajender Sachar,” Thangal said,
According to him, the Muslim League is a political platform which represents all the minorities and other backward sections of the society.
The Kerala State Muslim League president tried to impress upon governments the need for reservation for Muslims and other minorities in jobs and education.
“In order to realise the objective of social justice, there is urgent need for reservation for the Muslims and other minorities,” Thangal demanded.
The Union Minister of State for External Affairs and secretary of IUML, E. Ahamed detailed the steps taken by the Union government in context of the minorities.
“The Sachar Committee recommendations would be implemented and the government had already extended a package for the victims of the communal violence of Gujarat,” E. Ahmed said.
The Union minister alleged that the Muslim youths had suffered discrimination and atrocities at the hands of police in Maharashtra.
The IUML did not oppose India’s nuclear deal with the United States but urged the Centre to pursue an independent foreign policy.
“The IUML had to reflect the sentiments of the community and oppose any foreign policy alignment with the U.S but since the nuclear deal was important from the point of India’s energy security, the party did not oppose the deal,” K.M. Khader Mohideen, MP and president of the Tamil Nadu State Indian Union Muslim League said.
As many as 90 members attended the party’s national executive meeting. The prominent among them being Indian Union Muslim League president G. M. Banatwala, Union Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed, K.M. Khader Mohideen, MP and president of the Tamil Nadu State Indian Union Muslim League, Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal, Kerala State Muslim League president.