Minorities panel chief gives clean chit to BJP govt

Mahmood, who is demitting office today after a three-year stint, said "it is unfortunate that there was a general feeling of BJP being anti-minority and the criminals who do these kind of acts take advantage of the impression and think they can get away with it."

"It is a responsibility of BJP as a party to break this myth and come closer to the minorities," he said and regretted that he failed as NCM head to "bridge the gap" between the two.

Asked about the reasons for increased attacks on Christians, Mahmood said "there are special reasons. Hindus are given to believe that Christians are here only to convert them which hurts their religious feelings like those of any other community."

Denouncing "western" community’s hegemony as far as Christian faith was concerned, Mahmood said "the so called votaries of human rights never protested when attacks were made on Muslims and Sikhs. Why is it now that they are making so much of hoopla. Is it because most of the west is dominated by Christian community."

"I believe in equality of religions. Christians should also accept doctrine of equality which is enshrined in our constitution. But some of them (Christians) feel that their religion is supreme," he said.

Mahmood regretted the situation of the minorities in the country and said "the problem should have been solved in past 50 years of Independence."

However, he said "the problems were not because a certain community is in minority but as there is lack of awareness regarding human rights, legal rights, citizens right and economic rights among the bureaucrats, politicians and government."

"Ninety per cent of the complaints I used to receive in NCM were related to denial of basic rights of a citizen, irrespective of being in minority or majority," he added.

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