Congress can't close eyes to discrimination: P Chidambaram

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Friday rejected criticism that his party practised politics of minoritism but asserted it cannot close its eyes to the discrimination against Muslims and other sections including Dalits.

He scoffed at the suggestion that Rahul Gandhi's recent visit to Kedarnath temple was an attempt at wooing Hindu votes to counter the perception about being pro-minorities. "It's a personal decision of a person. So why should there be any comment on that decision. I reject your question. There is no such thing as minoritism," Chidambaram said.

"You are mixing the two issues. Before visiting the Kedarnath temple he said why he visited there. Kedarnath temple was being opened. The Chief Minister invited him to come on the day and I also felt an urge to visit a temple," he added. He asserted that everybody in this country must be equal.

"We have just seen a report a few days ago a young man does not get a job because he is a Muslim. There is also a report that a young girl does not get a housing because she is a Muslim. If you want to close your eyes to these realities, you can do so but why should the Congress party close its eyes to the stark reality that there is discrimination against Muslims and some other sections also. There is discrimination against Dalits also," he said.