NATIONAL POLITICS

Janata Dal: Election Manifesto, 1996 (Extracts)

Secularism

Secularism, as part of our cultural ethos and basic values of our freedom struggle, has suffered grievously during the last decade owing to the rise of the forces of communalism and the collusion of the powers that be with them. We strongly caution against any weakening of secularism as it would tear apart the fabric of nation's unity and impede the nation's progress.

To extend the frontiers of social and cultural justice, progressive modulation of attitudes related to discrimination based on sex, caste and religion, some of which find sanctions in the scriptures and history books, is very necessary. Text books need to be screened to remove all such references. The need for a strong, vibrant and npeople-based reform movement inspired by the teachings of our philosopher saints, Sufis and social reformers to promote religious tolerance and intellectual dissent cannot be over emphasized.

Social Justice

Janata Dal is of the considered view that reservation and such other affirmative benefits should be conferred on Dalit Christians, if necessary through constitutional amendment.

The reservation in favor of the OBCs should be extended to the judiciary.

The Janata Dal believes that, after the constitutional amendment adopted by Parliament in respect of reservation in promotions for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, it is only logical that the same provisions must be made for the Other Backward Classes.

While it is desirable to provide reservation to certain religious minorities without disturbing the reservation already given to the backward sections among them, its quantum should be determined by an independent commission.

The Janata Dal is opposed to the removal of the so- called creamy layer until the reserved quota is fully provided.

Reservation policy will have to cover the private sector as well.

Protection of Minorities Rights

The National Front can claim legitimate pride in having curbed communal violence and provided security to the minorities (it is note worthy that communal clashes erupted mainly in Congress (1)-ruled States or in States ruled by the BJP and Congress-supported Janata Dal(S). Communal riots shall continue to be put down strongly by effective prohibition of incitement to communal passions, and by pursuing appropriate recruitment policies in the police services. A special anti-riot force shall be created so as to ensure totally impartial conduct from them. Full compensation will be provided to victims of communal and caste riots. Action will be taken against officers who fail to control riots.

Religious minorities will enjoy the fullest protection and opportunity to pursue their modes of worship, their religious beliefs and practices and develop their institutions, whether religious, cultural, educational or welfare-oriented. Complete non-interference will be observed.

Wakf properties shall be brought under Public Premises (Eviction) Act. Properties belonging to Wakf and other religious endowments shall be exempted from the Rent Control Act as a means to augment their income to fulfil their commitments.

The Minority Commission will be given statutory status. The Bihar Government has already conferred legal status on its Minorities Commission by an ordinance and a Bill is to be adopted soon.

By setting up Minorities Financial Corporations, assuring representation for minorities on various. recruitment committees and boards, and giving encouragement for establishment of technical and polytechnic institutions by minorities, unemployment and economic backwardness among them shall be reduced. Concrete steps will be taken to ensure adequate employment opportunities and jobs for minorities.

Minority character of the institutions guaranteed by the Constitution shall be respected.

Certain recent actions and pronouncements of Shiv Sena-BJP State Government of Maharashtra must invite the strongest condemnation by the whole nation. Attempt to impose a common civil code on all communities. without their willingness, changing of the names of cities and towns, closing down of the Urdu Academy, winding up of the Minority Commission and dissolution of Srikrishna Commission enquiring into the riots of 1993 are prejudicial to the vital interests of the nation and subversive of its unity and integrity. No less reprehensible is the harassment to which large number of Bengali-speaking people are being subjected in the name of illegal Bangladesh immigrants in various States. Janata Dal will ensure that these retrograde steps are reversed.

The Act adopted by Parliament in respect of religious shrines will be fully respected. All disputes relating to religious shrines including the Ayodhya dispute, will be referred to the Supreme Court to be settled by it under Article 138 (2).

Language Policy

Gujral Committee's recommendations on the promotion of Urdu will be implemented.

Smaller State

Demands have been raised for several decades for the creation of smaller States in view of economic backwardness of certain regions within the respective States, aspirations for regional identity and large size of certain States, which causes difficulties to the people in dealing with State level administration. Janata Dal will appoint a Commission to go into these demands and make appropriate recommendations.

Human Rights

Janata Dal will assure all assistance to the National Human Rights Commission so that it continues to act independently, unencumbered by any problems.

State and district level Human Rights Commission will also be constituted.

In order to ensure that they act independently, the prosecuting counsels assisting them will be recruited by the National and State level commissions from among lawyers committed to human rights.

Human rights education will be given at school, college and University levels. It will include the message of human dignity and fraternity.

The Indian Penal Code will be revised to delete all reference which are not found to accord with human rights. In particular the misuse of x sections 107, 109 and 151 of the Penal Code will be stopped.

Special laws enacted to handle the extraordinary situations in several insurgency prone areas will be substantially reviewed to remove any possibility of their misuse.

UN conventions on torture and refugees will be ratified.

Jammu and Kashmir

In Jammu and Kashmir State, the shortsighted policies of denying free and fair elections and dismissing elected State Governments shall be ended. Subversion and violence by militants shall be met with force. Open ended dialogues with all sections of public opinion on strengthening Article 370 and guaranteeing autonomy shall be held to find an acceptable solution within the Indian Union. Human rights' violations by security forces shall be strictly dealt with. Conditions of democratic civil society shall be created by holding electrons at all levels. Discussions with Pakistan will be held to resolve the dispute, keeping in view the sentiments of the people of the State.

...We will accord the high priority to improving relations with neighbors. These relations will be marked by active partnership in all areas of cooperation and continuing dialogue at all levels. Bilateral issues with the neighbors will not be allowed to fester and active effort will be made to resolve them. The current tensions in relations with Pakistan will not be allowed to come in the way of people to people contacts and of pursuing the long-term objective of fostering close and friendly relationship with Pakistan. In conducting our relations with our neighbors, we proceed on the assumption that India has a vested interest in the stability of its neighboring countries.

We will take initiatives to revitalize SAARC particularly for moving quickly towards a free trade area in the region with adequate monetary and financial underpinnings.

Ambedkar's on Secular State

"It (i.e. secular state) does not mean that we do not take into consideration the religious sentiments of the people. All that a secular state means is that this Parliament shall not be competent to impose any particular religion upon the rest of the people."

Ambedkar's on Minorities

To Say that this country is divided by castes and creeds and that it cannot be an Integrated self-governing community, unless adequate safeguards for the protection of minorities are made as part of constitution, is a reminded that although we are today divided on the basis position which can not be denied. But minorities must be of sex and atomized by castes, our ideal is a united India. No demand from minority should, willingly or unwillingly, relinquish this ideal.

V.P. Singh on Caste System

Caste alone is not the solution. You have to have an ideological approach so that those who have not previously had a share should get one. Don't reduce it to caste but see it in a broader aspect. These are ideological aspects that social justice forces must appreciate. You cannot fight the BJP on caste alone because they will mind. First, hatred is not the answer. Second, don't create produce a Kalyan Singh. (Four) things have to be kept in new victims of caste. Third, clean up your house otherwise there will be disillusionment. And finally, you have to have ideological commitment.

(Source: The Sunday, 26 May-1 June, 1996)

STATEMENT ABOUT OWNERSHIP AND OTHER PARTICULARS FORM IV (See Rule 8)

MUSLIM INDIA

I, Syed Shahabuddin, hereby declare that particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

(SYED SHAHABUDDIN)

Dated: 1 June, 1996                            

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