Hamid Ansari's call for affirmative action for Muslims draws VHP's ire

Vishwa Hindu Parishad on 1 September criticised Vice President Hamid Ansari over his call for "affirmative action" for Muslims. VHP alleged that the comment was a "political" and "communal" one and it did not befit the dignity of his office.

The Hindutva organisation said such a demand seeks to "push Muslims in dark alleys of dissatisfaction whose consequences will be dangerous".

"With due respect to the Vice President's chair, VHP condemns this rank communal statement. This is a political statement.... which does not befit the office of a Vice President," VHP Joint General Secretary Surendra Jain said.

He said Indian Muslims enjoy more constitutional rights than they do in many Muslim countries, claiming that they have been appeased by various means over the years.

Jain said Ansari should apologise for his "unfortunate" statement.

Making a strong pitch to develop strategies to address problems of identity and security confronting Muslims in the country, Ansari had sought an "affirmative action" from the government, which espouses the policy of 'growth for all'.

He said that exclusion and discrimination including failure to provide security has to be corrected by the state at the earliest and appropriate instruments developed for it.