In this Bill, even that consultation role given to the States earlier has been done away with. I think that has to be reintroduced. Otherwise, it would set a bad precedent with regard to relations between the States and the Centre. Both the Central and State Governments will have to give due importance to minorities. We cannot say that it is only the Central Government that gives due importance to minorities and State Governments are all against them. We cannot take that view in our federal set up. 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 clause. 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 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.
