New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday identified maintenance of communal harmony and peace in the city as the "biggest achievement" of her government in the last 14 years.
"The fact that since 1998 there has been no case of communal tension is the biggest achievement of this government," Dikshit told a gathering of Imams from various mosques of Delhi.
In a veiled attack on BJP, Dikshit said there is only one party which keeps raising communal issues. "Congress never talks about communalism. There is only one party that keeps talking about it."
The event was organised by Delhi Waqf Board. A statement by the Board said the event had been held to "thank" the chief minister for increasing the salary of Imams from Rs 6,000 per month to Rs 10,000 per month.
Dikshit said she has directed Delhi Wakf Board to chalk out a scientific formula to ensure "an automatic" yearly hike in Imams` remuneration in Delhi so that they are not forced to make repeated demand for increase.
She exhorted the Imams to do their best to further strengthen the bonds of "cooperation, brotherhood, harmony and peace" in Delhi.
"No matter what religion or community, the government should treat everyone in the same manner," she said.
Dikshit said formation of a Madrasa Board to address various issues facing the Madrasas was in progress.
"We are trying to establish it at the earliest," Dikshit told reporters later.
Admitting that the issue of encroachment on Waqf board
properties was a "serious" one, the chief minister said, "The rapid development in the city has caused this problem which increased also because the Board did not have proper mapping of the properties."
A number of members of the Waqf board members assured their support to her so that she can lead her party for a fourth consecutive victory in the assembly polls slated for November.
A number of speakers also expressed concern about the tendency to label the community as indulging in anti-national activities.
"I appeal to all those who are here to back her," Maulana Umer Ilyasi said.
Delhi Waqf Board Chairman and Congress MLA Chaudhary Matin Ahmad who also spoke on the occasion, denounced terrorism.
"Those who are terrorists have no religion. People in India live in peace and harmony. There might be some negative elements but they can be anywhere," he said.
The board also presented a cheque of Rs 5 lakh to the chief minister as a contribution towards relief efforts in Uttarakhand.
PTI
