By Abu Zafar, TwoCircles.net,
Jaipur: The country was not divided by Ulama, nor by Deoband people in 1947 but by the intellectuals. We cannot allow people to divide it now in the name of creed, caste or religion, said Salman Khurshid, Union Minister of Law and Justice and Minority Affairs while speaking at the All India Muslim Educational Conference here on Sunday.
“India was not divided by Ulama of Deoband but by intellectuals and again we will not allow to divide it now,” he said at the second and final day of the conference.
“The divide is not only in inheritance and home, we have to avoid erecting walls between the hearts,” he added.
“If we are divided then no one will hear our vice,” he further said.
Salman Khurshid addressing the national conference on education in Jaipur on 6th May 2012
Referring to the controversy on his comment on reservation in UP poll campaign, he said “Talking on reservation was not my own decision but
it was taken by party, government and country.”
“People said that it was only for vote but simultaneously can we say
that our constitution has been written for vote,” questioned Khurshid.
“Article 16 on Constitution of India has included reservations,” he added.
“Putting question marks only on the issue of Muslims reservation is hypocrisy. Why people don’t shout on reservation at all,” he said.
“I am happy that I have been put on stand for giving comment about 9 percent reservation to Muslims. It is battle for justice which will go whole life,” he pointed out.