Helpline for minorities will foster separatism: VHP

THE NCM HAD DECIDED TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS OF SETTING UP THE HELPLINE, WHICH COULD BE USED BY MINORITIES TO REGISTER COMPLAINTS AGAINST ATROCITIES AND COMMUNAL VIOLENCE.

NEWDELHI: Hardline hindutva outfit, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), has objected to a proposal by the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) to start a helpline for minorities in distress.

At the meeting chaired by the chairperson Syed Ghayorul Hasn Rizvi, the NCM had decided to expedite the process of setting up the helpline, which could be used by minorities to register complaints against atrocities and communal violence.

The RSS-affiliate has, however, slammed the decision and dubbed it as one that will “foster separatism”.

Surendra Jain, the joint general secretary of the VHP, said the move will strengthen the feelings of separatism among the Muslim community and demanded the setting up of a “majority commission”.

The VHP leader said the minorities’ commission must answer whether only Muslims in the country are victims of communal violence.

The commission chief could not be reached for his comment.

Last June, the hardline outfit demanded an inquiry into the alleged exodus of Hindus from Uttar Pradesh’s Kairana, which they claim has been precipitated by strain between communities.

It had blamed the Samajwadi Party, then in power, for “appeasing” the minorities and failing to take action on complaints registered by the Hindus in the area.