It is only when the States are strong that the Centre can become strong. Otherwise, there may be problems. The Union Government has to consider this aspect and introduce the concept of consultation with the States once again. Sir, we support this Bill and I must make it very clear that the Left Parties take a position of supporting the minority's cause. It is not that we are treating them as a vote bank or anything. It is out of conviction that in a secular and democratic country, the minority communities should enjoy the rights that are bestowed upon them by the Constitution. While we are discussing this Bill, let me just mention that the Government agreed for appointing the Sachar Committee and the Committee brought out a very good Report, but the Report has never been discussed in Parliament. Now, if the recommendations of the Report were to be implemented properly and the spirit of the Report is to guide the Government at the Centre as well as at the States, then it should have been necessary that the Government should have taken interest to see that it was discussed in Parliament. It was listed for discussion but the House could not discuss it. Since tomorrow or the day after, this Fourteenth Lok Sabha comes to an end, we are sure that we are not going to get an opportunity to discuss that Report. It was a serious mistake on the part of the Government that the Report was not discussed in Parliament. That would have done some good. Sir, now coming to the provisions of the Bill I would like to submit that all the amendments are good except that aspect that amendment which stipulates doing away with consultations. I can understand the difficulty of the Government. Probably, many States are putting a hindrance and the Government wants to get out of that kind of a situation. Representatives of the world community gathered here today, It is with the deepest reverence that I, on behalf of the Government and the people of India, join the South African nation in paying homage to their beloved Madiba, former President, Dr. Nelson Mandela. For India, the passing of Nelson Mandela represents the departure of a venerated elder, a great soul. We pray for his eternal peace. Madiba lived a life of sacrifice and privation as he pursued a seemingly impossible goal for his people-and the world is richer for his legacy. We, in India, have long admired him and all that he stood for and we will always cherish his friendship and love for our people. To us, Nelson Mandela was a visionary. He epitomised an uncommon humaneness that inspired all of mankind. He was an icon of irreversible social and economic change-the kind of transformation and emancipation that his people had only dreamt of. A towering personality of great compassion and wisdom, he guided his nation, bruised by decades of apartheid and violence, to embrace his simple message of tolerance and harmonious co-existence. Indeed, his life and struggles which represented 'hope' for the downtrodden in South Africa and all over the world, remind us of the principles that the father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, stood for. In the face of the severest persecution, punishment and relentless oppression.
