Equity is not appeasement, PM tells BJP

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday dipped into history to refute the Bharatiya Janata Party's charge of "appeasement" and asserted "a commitment to equity is not appeasement. It is a mark of one's commitment to humanism."

Dr. Singh was speaking at a function to mark the birth anniversary celebrations of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Netaji's views

Recalling Netaji's views on nation-building, he said: "He was in favour of guaranteeing rights to all citizens. But at the same time, he stressed taking special measures for minorities and other disadvantaged sections of society."

Though he did not name the BJP, which has been accusing the United Progressive Alliance Government of "appeasement" of minorities since the publication of the Sachar Committee report, the Prime Minister appeared willing to join issue with that party.

Referring to Netaji's vision articulated as the Indian National Congress president in 1938, Dr. Singh pointed out that his "view that all minority communities be allowed their due space in cultural as well as governmental affairs testified to his humanism and commitment to egalitarian values."

Mahatma, Netaji committed to amity

Despite their differences, both Mahatma Gandhi and Netaji wanted India to pursue "a more inclusive and equitable path to social, economic progress." Both were committed to Hindu-Muslim unity and amity.

"They were both deeply spiritual men but equally secular. They understood that India's great contribution to humankind is the idea of sarva dharma sambhava."