Congress defensive on Sachar report

With the Sachar Committee findings on the status of Muslims not reflecting favourably on its rule, the Congress on Thursday decried attempts to blame it for the plight of the community.

"The report is the first step for solving problems faced by Muslims and it was an issue of deprivation and not one of minority and majority," party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters.

"It is not proper to indulge in blame game through distortion. Who set up the committee in the first place?" Singhvi asked.

The All India Congress Committee spokesman was subjected to a volley of questions, including whether the findings of the committee, which spoke about the harsh conditions in which Muslims live, was a 'sad commentary' on Congress rule since Independence.

He said all the welfare measures for weaker sections, "whether they were for the minorities, scheduled castes or tribes, have been due to the Congress".

Singhvi emphasised that what was needed was a positive approach in the matter to deal with the problems in a comprehensive manner rather than quick-fix solutions.