Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at 1:01am
India PM urges help for lower castes
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told an international conference in Delhi that his government must do more to combat discrimination against lower castes and minorities so they can benefit from the country's economic growth.
A government move to extend affirmative action policies has sharply divided the country. Many argue it could hurt India's rapid economic rise, BBC Online reported Wednesday.
Singh said those at the lowest rung of Indian society continued to face widespread discrimination 60 years after Indian indpendence. His government is committed to removing inequities so that all could enjoy India's economic growth, he said.
Singh was speaking at an international conference of minorities and Dalits - formerly known as untouchables — who are at the bottom of India's complex caste system.
The government recently pushed a bill through parliament that sets aside slots at some of the country's best-known colleges for students from lower caste and disadvantaged communities. It is also considering asking the private sector to institute affirmative action and extend its benefits to the Muslim minority, which a recent study suggests are economically and socially worse off than Dalits.
The move is opposed, however, by many who feel that it will lower standards and endanger India's economic growth.
A government move to extend affirmative action policies has sharply divided the country. Many argue it could hurt India's rapid economic rise, BBC Online reported Wednesday.
Singh said those at the lowest rung of Indian society continued to face widespread discrimination 60 years after Indian indpendence. His government is committed to removing inequities so that all could enjoy India's economic growth, he said.
Singh was speaking at an international conference of minorities and Dalits - formerly known as untouchables — who are at the bottom of India's complex caste system.
The government recently pushed a bill through parliament that sets aside slots at some of the country's best-known colleges for students from lower caste and disadvantaged communities. It is also considering asking the private sector to institute affirmative action and extend its benefits to the Muslim minority, which a recent study suggests are economically and socially worse off than Dalits.
The move is opposed, however, by many who feel that it will lower standards and endanger India's economic growth.