Quotas for Muslims futile talk; affirmative action ok: Salman

New Delhi, June 11 (PTI) Minority Affairs Minister of
India Salman Khursheed on Thursday said there is no point
getting into a futile argument on reservation for Muslims till
a constitutional amendment enables it, and instead favoured
affirmative action for the betterment of the community.

"One day it might be possible if you get consensus in the
country and you get a constitutional instrument by which it
(reservation) could be done," he told PTI.

While arguing that he was not against reservation for
minorities, he stressed the need for the "majority's
acceptance, support and willing implementation in the
empowerment of minorities". "Till then why get into a futile
argument?" he wondered.

But reservation is not the only way (for minority
welfare), he said, adding, "affirmative action has many other
ways".

The minister said he would rather focus on existing tools
to carry out minority welfare work.

Highlighting the various measures taken by the UPA
government in this regard, he said there should be
concentration on reaping benefits of all this.

Evading a direct reply on the fate of the Rangnath Mishra
Commission report that recommended specific measures to better
the lot of minorities which has been pending with the last UPA
government, Khursheed said, "Rangnath Commission report,
first, will have to be decided by the Parliament and the
government. That has not happened yet."

"It is beyond my ministry. This is something that already
before the entire Cabinet and it is with Prime Minister now,"
he added when asked if his ministry would take any initiative
to push for immediate implementation of the Rangnath Mishra
Commission report.

The minister also chose not to give any specific opinion
on the vexed issue of reservation for Dalit Christians and
Dalit Muslims. PTI SHS