CPI(M) criticises Najma Heptulla's comments

CPI(M) Tamil Nadu unit today criticised Union Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla for her comment that Parsis were minorities and not Muslims, saying it would harm the existing reservation policy.
The party's two-day state Committee went underway here in the presence of CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat, where a resolution was passed to this effect.
The comments by Heptulla reflected a 'wrong viewpoint,' the party said, adding, "it has the potential to harm the existing reservation policy" for Muslims.
Referring to the 3.5 per cent reservation provided to the minority community in Tamil Nadu, the party said this was done due to their "backward" condition and owing to their religion. Such a reservation was provided to uplift them, it said.

Amidst demands for reservation in lines with Sachar Committee recommendations, Heptulla's comments had created a "question mark over social justice" and would create a situation of disadvantage for the minorities, it said.
It also slammed the BJP government over the controversy surrounding abrogation of Article-370 regarding Jammu and Kashmir.