New DELHI : The SC/ST Chairman P.L. Punia rejected the apprehensions of the Jamia Minority Status Coordination Committee in connection with the minority character of JMI. M. Ilyas Malik led a delegation the president of which was Maulana Ahmed Ali when Mr. Punia in clear words said that he will talk to the authorities for AMU for its minority character together with JMI. This would mean that the backward Muslim community shall come forward. He said that the yellow journalism is a matter of shame for the community. I never opposed the minority character of JMI. I met the PM and Ms. Sonia Gandhi to restore the minority character of JMI. In case someone says that I have opposed the minority character then he is telling a lie. I have tried to create unity between Muslims and Dalits. I met the VC of JMI where I mentioned that 50% seats should be reserved for Muslims and a few present of seats should be allocated to the SC. This will convey a message to the Dalits that Muslims also favour their rights and so we must live together with them. Mr. Punia told the delegation that in 1982-85 when he was DM in Aligarh and had recorded that never the riots have been started by the Muslims. He was active in building up an Eidgaah in Aligarh which holds an elegant status in Asia and people remember him on occasion of every Eid. He says he is not worried about the false rumours and has always fought for the Muslims and the backwards and will keep fighting. Some months before certain information was attributed to Mr. Punia that he is opposing the minority character of JMI because of which the delegation met him today. The delegation comprised of active members of the Coordination Committee. Mr. Malik told the reporters that he was satisfied with the discussion he had with Mr. Punia. Mr. Punia has removed our apprehensions. A conspiracy was hatched to defame Mr. Punia in certain newspapers but now we will tell the people the real position of Mr. Punia.