"Not Infringing Muslims' Rights"

The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs on Wednesday stated that it has no intention of infringing the educational or religious rights of Muslims.

Responding to reports in some newspapers regarding the proceedings of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) held in Hyderabad, the ministry said that the reports were a distortion of some aspects of proposal to amend the Wakf Act, 1995, and of the Right to Education Act.

There is no question of departure from the fundamental principles of non-interference in the constitutional rights of minority institutions, whether educational, religious or charitable, the ministry said in a statement.

"All matters regarding the amendments to the Wakf Act are now before the Select Committee of Rajya Sabha, and it is both pointless and inappropriate to raise doubts about amendments that will be debated in the Lok Sabha on Friday afternoon," the ministry said.

"It might be recalled that after several days of the Lok Sabha not functioning, a slot was fortunately made available just before the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die," added the ministry.

"Records will show that several important Muslim members of the Parliament had contributed to the debate, and that the Bill was passed unanimously. The Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha that has several leading Muslim MPs, including a member of the AIMPLB, will give its report shortly," said the ministry. (INN)