Mumbai, February 02:Union Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid today said that he was in touch with the Ministry of Home Affairs over continued detention of some Muslim youths in the Malegaon bomb blast case.
“In wake of the new confessions and discoveries in the investigations, it is evident that the case of those who are under arrest since the blasts took place need to be seen on humanitarian grounds.
I am in touch with the Home Minister in this regard,” Khurshid told reporters here.
He said the proposed Communal Violence Bill contains provisions which addresses issues of arrests and detention of innocent persons.
“We hope the bill will be tabled in the Parliament soon,” Khurshid said.
To a query on the controversy over Vice Chancellor of the Darul-Uloom Deoband Maulana Ghulam Mohammed Vastanvi praising Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Khurshid said Darul-Uloom Deoband was a historic institution.
“The Institution elected Vastanvi. The issue is their internal matter,” he said.
“People say there is development in the Modi-ruled state.
But, Gujarat and Maharashtra were among the most prosperous states during Congress rule. The foundation for progress and development was always good in Gujarat. But, the social situation was different,” he added.
Khurshid said Gujarat had not accepted its 25 per cent share of the pre-matric scholarships to minority students.
“It is very sad. The Centre bears 75 per cent of the share. About 35 to 40 lakh scholarships have already been given of which substantial number is from Maharashtra,” he said, adding Maharashtra was doing a good job in terms of spending on minority welfare.
Referring to the issue of reservation for minorities, Khurshid said his ministry had studied the models of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and a roadmap has been prepared.
“It will be discussed with the Law Ministry before an announcement is made,” he said.
————PTI