A/53/279 affirmative action and the eradication of poverty through democratic methods are in-built in the development process in India. The success of this process is seen to be crucially dependent on the full participation of vulnerable sections, democratic decentralization and effective functioning of grass-roots democratic institutions and the political and economic empowerment of the socially disadvantaged sections of the population. The economic reforms and liberalization measures since 1991 have accelerated economic growth, reduced inflation and have positively influenced living standards and social indicators. The Government of India intends to pursue with vigour its goal of growth with justice through economic reforms with a humane face. India has abolished by law caste-based discrimination and has put in place extensive penal provisions to implement the same. Consequent to the abolition of untouchability in the Indian Constitution, special legislation such as the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, and the Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1959, has been enacted to combat prejudices and atrocities against the Scheduled Caste communities. The Indian strategy for fighting disabilities resulting from membership of a particular caste has evolved over a long period of time and enjoys universal backing politically and institutionally. This strategy is multi-faceted and encompasses constitutional and legal measures as well as developmental and welfare programmes and policies. It is our firm belief that this strategy has succeeded in significantly reducing the socioeconomic gap between members of disadvantaged castes and the social mainstream. A separate National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is playing an important role as part of the institutional framework. Apart from constitutionally guaranteed reservations in the federal and state legislatures and an affirmative action programme of jobs in the Government and placement in educational institutions, a scheme of Special Component Plans has been used to focus financial resources for the spread of education, skill upgrading and assistance for self-employment activities for these groups. All state governments and federal ministries have to earmark funds under such schemes at least in proportion to the population of such groups in the specific situation. These conscious efforts as well as the effective functioning of democracy in India have generated selfsustaining political movements composed largely of hitherto downtrodden sections of Indian society. After moving into positions of power, members of such sections are giving a new meaning to efforts for the betterment of their lot. That this has taken place without a major social upheaval is a significant achievement of Indian democracy. Recommendations Taking into account paragraph 91 of the report, “steps must be taken to increase awareness of the existence and dangers of extremism because, despite the fact that it is confined to a minority, its influence on the masses through political parties, places of worship, schools and even seats of power, could well destroy community and religious harmony in India. With a view to safeguarding religious tolerance and thus ensuring the protection of the rights and freedoms guaranteed by law to religious communities (freedom of belief, freedom to practise a religion and therefore to proselytize, to change religion, etc.), the Special Rapporteur wishes to make certain recommendations designed to combat extremism of all kinds”, the Special Rapporteur would appreciate if you could indicate your comments as well as measures undertaken and/or envisaged by your Government. Comments and measures We agree with the Special Rapporteur that extremism, even if confined to a minority, has the potential to affect gravely intercommunity harmony in India, or for that matter any country. The Government of India is alive to the dangers of extremism and has used legislative measures like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, to curb public fund-raising and propaganda activities of extremist organizations whose activities are prejudicial to communal harmony. These measures have also served to stigmatize these organizations in the public mind and arouse public consciousness against them. Civil society has a major role in combating extremism. Manifestations of religious extremism, however unfortunate they may be, have also served to focus attention on this problem and resulted in a significant political and intellectual mobilization against such aberrations. The Government of India encourages and supports such mobilization. Recommendations Taking into account paragraph 92 of the report, “The Special Rapporteur considers it essential that the Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951, should be scrupulously implemented and that in addition it should be speedily supplemented by a new act debarring political parties from the post-election use of religion for political ends. As the riots in Ayodhya, Bombay and Punjab have shown, religious parties, spokesmen and standard-bearers are not always of a nature to promote tolerance and human rights”, the Special Rapporteur would appreciate if you could 17