Faizan Mustafa, one of India’s great legal luminaries, has once again raised his voice for the rights of minorities. He believes that denial of affirmative action to castes among Muslims and Christians, which are “worse off than Hindu Dalits”, is tantamount to discrimination along religious lines, and hence, against the Constitution.
Addressing a symposium organised by “All India Muslim Mahaz” to mark the death anniversary of legendary freedom fighter Abdul Qayyum Ansari in Patna on June 30, Faizan Mustafa, who is currently vice chancellor of Chanakya Law University based in Patna, said, “It is true that as per the Constitution, reservations cannot be granted based on religion. But it is also a fact that caste exists among Muslims and Christians too. Some of these castes are worse off than Hindu Dalits”.
Fiazan Mustafa asserted, “If such castes are denied the facilities extended to Dalits from another faith, it would be discrimination based on religion. In effect, denial of such facilities will be against the Constitution”.
In fact, Fiazan Mustafa’s remarks came in the backdrop of an intense debate on quotas being extended to minorities, especially Muslims, in states like Bihar, Telangana and Karnataka, which has been triggered by a shrill campaign launched by the ruling BJP at the Centre during the recently held Lok Sabha polls. The fact remains that if the demands of truth and justice are met, the grievances of minorities will be fulfilled.
Asghar Ali
Patna, Bihar
Saudi Aramco’s strategic gas expansion plan
Saudi Aramco is the world’s largest oil exporting company.It has decided to award contracts exceeding $25 billion to advance its strategic gas expansion plan, aiming to increase sales gas production by more than 60 percent by 2030, compared to 2021 levels. It means after exporting crude oil, Saudi Arabia’s strategic gas expansion plan will strengthen the country’s economy.
The contracts pertain to the second phase development of the extensive Jafurah unconventional gasfield, the third phase expansion of Aramco’s Master Gas System, new gas rigs, and the continuous maintenance of capacity.
Aramco expects the total investment in the Jafurah project will exceed $100 billion over its life cycle. By 2030, production is expected to reach a sustainable sales gas rate of two billion scf per day along with significant volumes of ethane, NGL, and condensate.Aramco’s Master Gas System is a vast network of pipelines that links key gas production and processing sites across Saudi Arabia.
Thus, oil and gas will continue to be a part of the energy mix for Saudi Arabia.
Quadir Basha
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
BP baseline change may create confusion, misdiagnosis
European Society for Cardiology has decided to raise the blood pressure (BP) baseline from 130/80 to 140/90.
I believe that this new guideline may lead to confusion and misdiagnosis among patients, healthcare professionals, and the public. Raising the BP baseline might result in under-treatment for those who genuinely require medication, while others may be unnecessarily prescribed drugs with potential side effects.
This could have far-reaching implications on global public health. The ESC should provide clear explanations and justifications for this change, and consider the opinions of the medical community and patients in its decision-making process.
TS Karthik
Halls Road Kilpauk,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu