• New Delhi: A delegation of prominent Muslims led by Syed Shahabuddin has urged Congress president Sonia Gandhi to take steps to address the issue of the ‘‘whole Muslim community being targeted’’ in the wake of the Mumbai blasts. They have also expressed their reservations on the move to provide bullet-proof security at the disputed structure in Ayodhya, saying it was against the Supreme Court order. The delegation comprised Dr A H Ansari, president of Jamait-e Islami Hind and Dr Q R Ilyas, spokesperson of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board among others. ‘‘In the wake of the Mumbai blasts, there is an unfair targeting of one community. There is a biased campaign even in the media. But the Government is not doing anything to change it,’’ Ilyas told The Indian Express after the meeting Sonia Gandhi. The delegation members said Sonia Gandhi has assured them that she would take up the matter with the Home Minister and the Prime Minister. The delegation also urged the Congress president to speed up the passing of Communal Violence Bill, after consulting all the notified minorities on the issue.

UPA soft on terror: Jaitley

• NEW DELHI: Expressing disappointment over Prime Minister’s refusal to strengthen anti-terrorism laws, the BJP asked him to embark on a three-pronged strategy — internationalise the issue of cross-border terrorism, strengthen intelligence and security apparatus and provide a legal regime for the prosecution of terrorists. Party general secretary Arun Jaitley said the Prime Minister has ‘‘refused to rise to the occasion’’ in the aftermath of Mumbai serial blasts. Singh, according to him, presides ‘‘a shaky coalition government, which subscribes to the belief that a strong action against terrorism will weaken the vote bank politics of UPA.’’