No special favour being shown to Muslims: Centre

The Centre has justified its policy of preferential treatment to the members of the Muslim community on the basis of Sachar Committee recommendation.

The Centre has justified its policy of preferential treatment to the members of the Muslim community on the basis of Sachar Committee recommendation and said no special favour is being bestowed on them.

In an affidavit filed in the Delhi High Court,which is hearing a case on the constitutional validity of such policy,the Centre said such steps are required for upliftment of the Muslim community as the Committee brought out “stark” reality about the condition of the Muslims in the country.

Without such a programme the members of the community will continue to lag behind in society,it said.

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“The Indian state is duty-bound to foster inclusive growth and mainstream these groups,communities which are lagging behind. This is all that is intended to be done and no special favour is being bestowed on them. Without a programme of affirmative action,the gap existing today,and brought out in the report,cannot be bridged,” the affidavit said.

The Centre said the special programme is being launched in 90 minority concentration districts in the country.

“The multi-sectoral Development programme is implemented in 90 identified minority concentration districts which are relatively backward in terms of basic amenities and socio-economic parameters to address the development deficits,” the 14-page affidavit said.

The government’s response came on a public interest litigation filed by an NGO ‘Rashtriya Mukti Morcha’ which alleged the Sachar Committee and government’s action on its report were unconstitutional.

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The NGO pleaded the Muslim community cannot be given special treatment as the Constitution prohibits discrimination on the ground of religion.

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