CM Advocates Reservation for Dalit Muslims, Christians
Patna: Aug. 21, 2007
 Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, while inaugurating the Dalit Muslim Rights Convention to mark the first death anniversary of Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan in Patna on Tuesday, said that it was about time the dalits of Muslim and Christian communities were included in the reservation provisions that had been denied to them for much too long.
"Two separate commissions have already recommended reservations for the Muslim and Christian dalits. The central government should move fast now for their implementations," the Chief Minister said at the convention organized at the Ravindra Bhawan.
 Kumar said it was only fair to provide reservation for the extreme backwards within the Muslim and Christian community particularly in view of the fact that the extreme backwards were already enjoying the benefits of reservation.
Speaking about the Shehnai maestro himself, the Chief Minister said he was fortunate enough to meet with Bismillah Khan during his tenure as the Railway Minister.
"He was over and above the narrow definition of caste and religion and that he proved by his immense talent and music," the Chief Minister said.
The convention was also attended by the Education Minister Brishan Patel, Pasmada Muslim national president and MP Ali Anwar, Minority Commission chairperson Naushad Ahmed, Extreme Backward Commission chairperson Udaykant Chowdhary and other prominent Hindu and Muslim leaders.
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