By IANS
Bhopal : Warning the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government against attempts to redefine 'minorities', the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday said it would oppose any such move tooth and nail both inside and outside the parliament.
Talking to reporters here, BJP president Rajnath Singh said the UPA was preparing to bring a bill in the monsoon session of parliament to amend the constitution for the purpose.
The amending bill seeks to have state-wise status of minorities rather than national. Minorities in states will be decided through a presidential notification in consultation with the state government.
"I assume that Muslims will also agree to it. The National Commission for Minority Education too is not in its favour. The commission's chairperson M.M.A. Siddiqui has written to the government saying the constitutional amendment, approved by the cabinet in May, is against the spirit of Article 30 of the constitution", Rajnath Singh said.
According to the BJP chief, Siddiqui has quoted B.R. Ambedkar, who framed India's constitution, saying that the term 'minority' is used to "prevent political safeguards" and its definition can result in its interpretation in a narrow sense.
"Articles 25 to 30 guarantee protection of religious, cultural and educational rights to both majority and minority communities. Therefore, it was felt not to define minority. The makers of constitution promoted the spirit of 'We Indian'. We cannot supersede this vision," Rajnath Singh said.
"Any such move was dangerous for the nation", he said, adding that the country had once been divided on religious grounds and the same would not be tolerated in future.
The BJP leader described the UPA as a 'confused alliance' and accused the central ministers of making contradictory statements on sensitive issues like terrorism.
"While the home minister gives a clean chit to Pakistan on terrorism, the defence minister expresses concern over the rise in terrorist activities from across the border," Rajnath alleged.
The BJP president called for an all-party meet on holding Lok Sabha and assembly polls simultaneously as this would save time, money and energy.
"The political parties remain busy in one or the other elections and do not get time to do any constructive work even if they want to," he said.