'Freedom of choice of dress, food, personal laws': Congress's 9 promises for minorities in election manifesto

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress on Friday released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections, promising jobs for youth, socio economic caste census and an increase in the 50% reservation limit for backward castes.

The manifesto, unveiled by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, also promises to uphold the rights of minorities.

"Congress will ensure that, like every citizen, minorities have the freedom of choice of dress, food, language and personal laws. We will encourage reform of personal laws. Such reform must be undertaken with the participation and consent of the communities concerned," it said.

Here are the 9 promises Congress made for minorities:

1. We will respect and uphold the fundamental right to practice one's faith and the rights guaranteed to religious minorities under Articles 15, 16, 25, 26, 28, 29 and 30 of the Constitution.
2. We will also respect and uphold the rights of linguistic minorities guaranteed under Articles 15, 16, 29 and 30 of the Constitution.
3. We will encourage and assist students and youth belonging to the minorities to take full advantage of the growing opportunities in education, employment, business, services, sports, arts and other fields.
4. We will restore the Maulana Azad Scholarships for study abroad and increase the number of scholarships.
5. The economic empowerment of minorities is a necessary step for India to realise its full potential. We will ensure that banks will provide institutional credit to minorities without discrimination.
6. We will ensure that the minorities receive their fair share of opportunities in education, healthcare, public employment, public works contracts, skill development, sports and cultural activities without discrimination.
7. Congress will ensure that, like every citizen, minorities have the freedom of choice of dress, food, language and personal laws.
8. We will encourage reform of personal laws. Such reform must be undertaken with the participation and consent of the communities concerned.
9. Congress promises to meet long standing demands for inclusion of more languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.