Paswan goes global, launches forum in Saudi

Continuing with his spirited attempts to emerge as leader of a Dalit-Muslim social combination, Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan has launched a Dalit Minorities International Forum in Saudi Arabia.

Continuing with his spirited attempts to emerge as leader of a Dalit-Muslim social combination, Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan has launched a Dalit Minorities International Forum in Saudi Arabia. The Forum is first among many that he plans to set up around the world. Mohammad Adil, an Indian executive, has been named president of the organisation.

Paswan is currently visiting Saudi Arabia as a guest of the AMU Old Boys’ Association. He attended the Sir Syed Day celebrations in Riyadh and inaugurated the Saudi chapter of his new organisation.

Addressing a gathering of NRIs, Paswan said he is “strongly pursuing the early implementation of the Sachar committee recommendations”. The minister said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are determined to implement recommendations of the committee.

Paswan told the NRIs that there was no constitutional ban on giving reservation to Muslims. “There is no mention of religion and caste in the constitution for extending reservation. It is meant for socially, economically and educationally backward classes and Muslims are socially and educationally backward. This has been established beyond doubt by Sachar committee report. Hence the whole community must be given reservation for their upliftment and empowerment,” he said.

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