BJP, Sangh Parivar & Communalism

The BJP, steeped as it is, in communalism and bigotry is no alternative at all to the INC which is going through a process of decay under its present leadership. Religion based politics is a negation of the democratic process. The Sangh Parivar's Hindutva ideology on which the BJP is anchored runs counter to the basic tenets of the Constitution.

It is a threat to the nation's composite culture and secular ethos. The approach of the BJP and the Sangh Parivar is also a demonstrable threat to the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the minorities. The BJP and its allies claim to have a national agenda which is free from the ideological motivations and programmes of the Sangh Parivar. It is obvious, however, that the Sangh Parivar agenda has only been kept in suspended animation

Secularism

Secularism is a very broad article of faith for the NCP. It means fraternity amongst followers of all faiths and peaceful co-existence amongst them. It is inclusive and does not involve political, social or economic exclusion of any group of people based on religion. It is empathetic and does not partake of the nature of condescension from one section of society to another ... It is protective in the sense that it respects and protects the personal laws of different sections of the people until they themselves are persuaded to change them.

National Integration Council

The National Integration Council would be activised and made a vibrant body which would proactively and periodically meet, deliberate on issues of harmony and unity among the people and contribute to the forces of domestic peace.

Minorities

A thorough review of the actual outcome of implementation of the 15-point programme till date; improvement of implementation, based on disaggregated district level action plans in a target oriented manner.

Madarsa education would be reoriented with technical education content, involving and getting the support of Madarsa management. .

Special industrial growth centres would be established all over the country in minority concentration areas, dedicated to the specialised artisanal skills of the minorities ...

The performance of the Minorities Finance Corporation would be reviewed and its activities strengthened so as to promote enterprise creation including for self-employment amongst the minorities.

Action would be taken for securing appropriate representation of minorities in public services including the armed forces, para-military forces, the police etc., apart from semi-government bodies. For the purpose, personnel experts belonging to minority communities would be associated in the recruitment processes.

Wherever government or government agencies are involved in creation of business agencies, appropriate representation for minorities would be facilitated.

Amendments to the Wakf Act would be carried out to remove impediments in its working. Wakf properties would be brought within the definition of "public premises" under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act and they would also be exempted from the purview of State Rent Control Acts.

Implementation of the Wakf Act would also be streamlined to secure conservation and proper management of the Wakf properties, returns from which could be meaningfully deployed for the educational and economic upliftment of backward Muslims. A time bound report would be obtained on streamlining the Wakf Act and its implementation from a national committee of eminent Islamic scholars, persons having knowledge and experience of Wakf administration, parliamentarians and representatives of Central Wakf Council to be constituted for the purpose.

The personal laws of the minorities, as already brought out in another context, would be respected and safeguarded until the concerned communities are persuaded to opt for changes.

Care would be taken to see that delimitation of electoral constituencies, whenever effected, does not deliberately prejudice the interests of the minorities.

Appropriate action would be taken for establishment of state-level rapid action forces to pre-empt, contain as well as handle tensions and conflicts in riot prone minority concentration areas.

On the Ayodhya issue, Supreme Court decision would be complied with.

A separate Ministry of Minorities Development would be created for coordinated action in all these respects.

The Minorities Commission would be  given constitutional status.