New Delhi: Minorities in India are safe and fake narratives stating the contrary must be debunked, Union minister Kiren Rijiju said on Tuesday, asserting that minority communities will continue to play a big role in nation building.
Addressing a national conference of State Minority Commissions organised by the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), Rijiju said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a clarion call for making India a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
“In that effort, the contribution of the minority communities must be substantial. The minority communities have had a big contribution in nation-building earlier and will continue to do so,” the minority affairs minister said.
“There are people who are creating some of the false narratives that minorities are not safe in India; some people keep spreading the message that there is discrimination against the minority communities, which is completely false,” he said.
“On the contrary, minorities are the luckiest people in India because other schemes are available for minority communities, and there are separate schemes and special programmes for them. Nowhere in the world is there a separate scheme for minorities.”
He urged citizens to recognise the welfare initiatives of both the state and central governments.
“We are lucky to be Indian citizens, so please remember this; otherwise, we will not be able to appreciate the good welfare works of the government, be it the state government or central government, he added.
Citing Kerala as an example, he noted that 44 percent of the state’s population comprises Christians and Muslims, making it one of the most minority-concentrated regions in the country. “So naturally more schemes will come to the state,” he added.
“If any project or any program if the state government of Kerala feels that the central government can look into, then we will definitely give extra care in terms of providing more timely support,” Rijiju said.
He highlighted that Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian, a senior leader from Kerala, is an advantage to the state. The rate of the loan disbursement and the number of beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) in Kerala are among the highest in India, he noted.
“So it’s a success story, I am very happy,” he remarked. Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), is an area development programme under which community infrastructure and basic amenities are being created in the identified areas.
The scheme is being implemented under the aegis of the state governments or union territory (UT) administrations on a fund-sharing pattern, and the projects are implemented and managed by the concerned state or UT government. The infrastructure built up under the scheme is for the benefit of all people living in the area.
Rijiju said that the next Lok Samvardhan Parv would be organised in Kerala in August. “Our MoS George Kurien will take the lead. I will also try to come if I can manage to take off the time,” he said.
Lok Samvardhan Parv is a big mela where our artisans can sell their products. “And the government of India provides all the funds for transportation for stones, all other requirements are being taken care of by the central government Ministry of Minority Affairs,” he added.
Lok Samvardhan Parv is testimony to the inclusive development programme of the Ministry which has benefitted a large number of persons from all the minority communities, through convergence with partner organisations.
