NATIONAL POLITICS

Congress (1): Election Manifesto, 1996 (Extracts)

That is why the Congress has remained true to and updated. certain unchanging values. These are:

●          Unity and Integrity

●          Democracy based on the Parliamentary System

●          Secularism

●          An independent Judiciary

●          Freedom of Speech and Expression and Freedom of the Press

●          Stability, social harmony and development

A New Beginning in Kashmir

The State of Jammu & Kashmir was relatively peaceful until November, 1989.

The pitch was queered during the rule of Janata Dal. The Janata Dal was aided and abetted by the BJP.

Together they sacrificed the interests of the people of the State for political expediency. Together they destroyed the bond of trust and friendship between the people of Jammu & Kashmir and the rest of India.

The Congress has strained every nerve to rebuild this bond.

The Congress believed and continues to believe - that the people of Jammu & Kashmir deserve a government of their choice.

The Congress has, therefore, promised that Jammu and Kashmir can enjoy a large measure of autonomy within the framework of the Indian Constitution. Article 370 of the Constitution of India shall stand.

The Congress believes that elections - howsoever difficult are the only way to break the gridlock in Jammu and Kashmir.

Elections have already been ordered for the Lok Sabha from J&K.

The Congress further pledges to hold elections to the State Legislature. The Congress pledges to restore democratic government in that State.

Welfare of Minorities

The Congress regards all Indian citizens as equal. Yet we recognize Minorities of several kinds because we recognize the special disadvantage that they suffer and the special help that they need.

This is not appeasement. This is heeding the call of the Constitution of India.

Equal status to all people and protection of the Minorities are fundamental features of the Indian Constitution. They are also the fundamental features of any plural society.

The cornerstone of Secularism is the security of the Minorities. The cornerstone of a civil society is the security of all people. The Congress will leave no stone unturned to secure the life and liberty of all the people including the Minorities.

The Congress regards the 15-point Programme for the welfare of Minorities as a charter of duties. The programme will be reviewed from time to time, revised and updated

For instance, a Rapid Action Force, consisting of young men of all communities, has been established. They are stationed at sensitive places. Although new, it has already shown its mettle and earned public confidence.

The Congress Government bar established the National Minority Finance and event Corporation with a capital of Rs. 500 crores. The Corporation will support projects and schemes that will promote the well-being of Minorities.

The Minorities Commission has been given statutory status.

The Congress Government has enacted the Protection of Places of Worship Act, 1991. The status of all places of worship as it existed on the day of Independence will be preserved. No one can now misuse any place of worship to divide Indian society.

After wide-ranging discussions and consultations with Muslim Members of Parliament, Members of community, a comprehensive legislation to amend and Central Wakf Council and other leaders of the Muslim Wakfs has been enacted. The Wakf Act has come into consolidate the law relating to the administration of force with effect from 1.1.1996.

The Maulana Azad Education Foundation has been 30 crore with a view to promoting education amongst set up as an independent entity with a Corpus Fund of Rs. educationally backward Minorities in particular and the Personal Law weaker sections in general.

Personal Law.

The Congress believes that The Congress has made its position very clear on the three should be no imposition by Government of any change in the Personal Law of any community or any section of people. Such changes, against the wishes of the community concerned, would neither be favorable nor acceptable, if attempted in the name of uniformity.

The SAARC nations took a; significant step forward Arrangement (SAPTA) with effect from 7th December, and launched the SAARC Preferential Trading (SAFTA) by the year 2005 and preferably by the year 1995. They have resolved to usher in a Free Trade Area 2000. India's pioneering role in promoting SAPTA and SAFTA has been recognized in the South Asian region and elsewhere in the world.

The Congress Government has taken every step to establish cordial and good relations with Pakistan. It proposed a series of confidence building measures that were, unfortunately, rejected by Pakistan. Shri P.V. discuss bilateral issues with Pakistan without any Narasimha Rao has repeatedly said that India is ready to preconditions and to resolve all outstanding differences peacefully.