Declare Dalit Muslims SC: Nitish

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday demanded that the Centre include Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians in the Scheduled Castes category. Speaking at the national convention of All-India Pasmanda Muslim Mehaz (AIPMM) — a forum taking up the cause of poor Muslims — Nitish said: “Of the 90 Muslim-dominated districts covered by the Sachar Committee,seven are from Bihar. But save only Kisanganj,no other Bihar district has got any amenities from the Centre.”

The Chief Minister said that the Centre is sitting on the recommendations of the Sachar Committee and Justice Rangnath Mishra Commission. “We keep sending reminders to Centre but without any results,” said Nitish,adding that discrimination on ground of religion is not fair.

In Bihar alone,there are about 1 crore OBC Muslims,most of whom can press claim for Dalit status on basis of their weaker socio-economic condition.

The Muslim conference assumes greater significance in wake of just-concluded BJP National Executive in Patna,projecting Narendra Modi at expense of Nitish Kumar’s displeasure.