The members at the conference decided to demand 15 per cent reservation only for Muslims along with the follow-up of the report and its recommendation with the minority communities, the majority, state bureaucracy, political parties and media. The decision was taken after an in-depth discussions of the Sachar Committee Report findings which exposes very clearly the fact that Muslims suffer serious deprivation in terms of education, health care, housing and employment. The conference critically examined measures taken by the Government after the submission of the report four years ago.

The Sachar Committee Report did very less to the Muslims, but it definitely opened the eyes of others towards the true condition of Muslims in India, commented S N H Razvi, president, Committee for Community Development. He also voiced the need for a leader to represent not just the Muslims, but the entire minority community.

“There is a big shift in the mindset of Muslims, from guilty to assertion. They are making themselves heard by voicing their demands and rights they deserve,” said Mazhar Hussain, director, Confederation Of Voluntary Association (COVA). Since, any assertion from the minority community is contested, there is need to guide the assertion in the right direction which should be democratic and non-violent, he added.

The conference has also decided to set up a core committee of 15 members from different religious backgrounds, who will into the welfare of the minorities. A one-day regional conference is scheduled to be held on October 19 in Bangalore after which the agenda and policies in line with the Sachar Committee Report findings will be drafted.