The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Feb 11: The Popular Front of India, Manipur state unit, would be launching agitations from February 21 as a part of the ongoing nation wide campaign for reservation policy for the Muslim minorities.
During a press meet held today at Manipur Press Club, state secretary of the party, Benjamin M. Shah stated that Muslims in the country have been classified as socially and economically backward according to the reports of Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee and subsequently ways and means to improve the conditions of the Muslims have been framed as per the recommendations of the Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission.
The Mishra Commission recommended that the Muslim minorities must have 10 percent reservation out of the total 15 percent seats reserved for the minorities in government offices and educational institutions and also they should get six percent reservation out of the total 27 percent reserved for the OBCs, he added.
The welfare and upliftment of the Muslim minorities solely depends on the implementation of reservation policy as recommended by the Mishra commission and so the government should try to implement the reservation policy as soon as possible, Benjamin noted.
The Popular Front of India has launched its campaign in different parts of the country since January 31 and the state unit would hold poster campaign, bike rally and public meetings from February 21 onwards, the secretary added.
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Support reservation campaign : PFI
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 11, 2010: The Popular Front of India (PFI), Manipur State unit has sought support from all sections of the society towards the country-wide campaign being undertaken by PFI for enhancement of reservation for Muslims.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here this afternoon, PFI Manipur State unit secretary Benjamin M Shah quoted Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee report of 2006 which identified Muslims as the most backward community in the country.
The report submitted by Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission also tagged Muslims as most backward in multiple aspects of life.
Even as Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission recommended 10 per cent exclusively for Muslims out of 15 per cent reserved for minorities in job recruitment and admission in educational institutions, the recommendation is yet to be implemented.
On account of the disparities in the reservation policy followed in the country, there are differences in the State reservation policy too, Benjamin said.
At present, Muslims in Manipur are entitled to only 2 per cent.
This is one major factor for keeping Muslims in the most backward category.
The Popular Front of India established as a pressure group for the welfare of minorities including Muslims launched the national reservation campaign since January 31. As a part of this campaign, PFI Manipur State unit launched a corresponding campaign in the form of distributing pamphlets and putting up posters since February 5, Benjamin said.
Continuing with the campaign, a mass motor-cycle rally and a public meeting will be held on February 21. Benjamin further appealed to all the people to attend the meeting and also not to call bandhs and blockades in view of the campaign which would continue till the month of March.
A team of PFI Manipur unit would take part in the mass rally scheduled for March 14 at New Delhi, he added.
