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Union Minister Rijiju Dismisses Claims of Minority Mistreatment as “Propaganda”
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju firmly rejected allegations of minority mistreatment in India during an interaction with members of the minority community at Christ Church College in Lucknow on Thursday.
“You must have heard remarks that excesses are being committed against Muslims, Sikhs or Christians. Such claims are propaganda and shall continue at all times,” Rijiju stated, emphasizing that no citizen has ever been forced to leave the country due to oppression.
The minister specifically addressed criticisms aimed at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has faced accusations of discriminatory practices toward minority groups. “Our party, BJP, has often been targeted and wrongly accused of being discriminatory towards minorities. This is incorrect,” he asserted.
Rijiju highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (Together with all, Development for all), insisting it represents a genuine work culture rather than a publicity stunt. “It’s a reflection of our work culture that involves everyone and delivers welfare for all, without discrimination,” he said.
Challenging critics, the minister asked the audience, “Ever since our government has been formed, is there anyone who has been denied benefits of government welfare schemes due to discrimination over religion?”
Rijiju portrayed India as a sanctuary for citizens regardless of their religious background. In a notable claim, he mentioned telling an Indonesian minister that “in the next Census report, India may emerge as a country with the largest Muslim population in the world.” He emphasized that Muslims in India represent a significant demographic that “enjoy total freedom” alongside all other citizens who are “treated equally.”
The minister also highlighted India’s position as the world’s most populous nation with approximately 1.4 billion people, contrasting it with the United States population of 330 million. “They think that there is nothing beyond the US in this world. But when they are told about our 140 crore population, they are left wondering how we run the most populous nation,” Rijiju remarked.
Speaking about India’s historical resilience, he added, “The beauty of this great nation is that it has existed for thousands of years and will continue to thrive for thousands of years.”
The Union Minister also shed light on the Modi government’s commitment to supporting smaller minority communities facing demographic challenges. He specifically mentioned the Parsi community, whose population has dwindled to approximately 52,000 and continues to decline despite their significant contributions to India’s development.
“You must have heard the name of Tatas who come from the Parsi community. They have made a lot of contributions to the country. We have started a scheme called ‘Jio Parsi’ for helping the community increase its population,” Rijiju explained.
The Jiyo Parsi initiative, launched in 2013-14, represents a targeted Central Sector Scheme designed to reverse the population decline among Parsis. Through scientific protocols and structured interventions, the program aims to stabilize and ultimately increase the Parsi population in India.
Rijiju’s statements come amid ongoing international scrutiny of India’s treatment of religious minorities, with various human rights organizations expressing concerns about communal tensions in recent years. The minister’s remarks appear to be part of the government’s broader effort to counter such narratives and present India as a nation that safeguards the rights and interests of all its citizens.
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10 Comments
Interesting to hear the minister’s perspective on minority treatment claims. While concerns have been raised, it’s good to get the government’s response directly. I wonder how this plays out in practice on the ground level.
The minister’s emphasis on the government’s ‘work culture’ and inclusive development agenda is noteworthy. It would be insightful to understand how minority communities perceive the reality on the ground.
The minister’s rebuttal of discrimination claims raises some questions. Promoting unity and equal treatment is important, but addressing specific concerns from minority groups requires an open and transparent dialogue.
It’s crucial to have balanced, fact-based discussions on sensitive issues like this. Dismissing concerns as ‘propaganda’ may not be the most constructive approach.
The government’s stance on minority welfare and inclusion is significant, but the proof is ultimately in the pudding. Tangible outcomes and the lived experiences of affected communities should guide the assessment.
Fostering a climate of trust and mutual understanding is key. Robust, impartial monitoring of policies and their implementation could help shed light on the actual situation.
While the minister’s remarks aim to address allegations of minority mistreatment, the response seems rather defensive. A more open, nuanced dialogue could help build confidence and address underlying concerns more effectively.
Balancing unity and diversity is a delicate challenge. Constructive engagement with all stakeholders, including minority representatives, could lead to more sustainable solutions.
The government’s stance on minority welfare is noteworthy, but the proof is in the pudding. Tangible outcomes and the lived experiences of affected communities should guide the assessment of progress and challenges.
Fostering a climate of trust and mutual understanding is key. Robust, impartial monitoring of policies and their implementation could help shed light on the actual situation on the ground.