Eye on state polls: Centre highlights schemes for minorities

The minority affairs ministry on Thursday launched its ambitious “Progressive Panchayat” programme to highlight and promote the Centre’s initiatives and schemes for minorities.

Minority affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi launched the initiative at the Muslim-dominated Mewat region of BJP-ruled Haryana, where he described Mr Modi as “the protector” of India’s people and its borders.

Mr Naqvi’s remarks also came in the wake of the surgical strike carried out by the Indian Army on terror launching pads across the LoC, foiling terrorists plans for Indian targets.

Mewat, where the Mr Naqvi launched this panchayat, as well as a girls hostel, and laid the foundation stone of a higher secondary school, was in the news recently for the beef biryani controversy.

It could be recalled here that only last week, the Prime Minister, while quoting Sangh Parivar ideologue Deendayal Upadhyay, had said that Muslims are “our own” and not a “votebank”.

His remarks came at a time when the BJP is preparing for tough electoral battles in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

Though Mr Naqvi insisted that the “Progressive Panchayat” has nothing to do with “votebank politics,” its launch came at a time when crucial elections in Uttar Pradesh, where Muslims are in significant numbers, are just months away.

The BJP is often accused of raking up issues which could “polarise” the population to benefit the party. In all, around 100 such panchayats would be held across the country within a year, where through interactive sessions minorities communities members would be told how the Narendra Modi government is committed to empower and provide equal opportunity to all.

Another Union minister, Rao Inderjit Singh, who is also a member of Parliament from the Guragon constituency, said that the Narendra Modi government is committed to transforming Mewat, which has been lacking a number of amenities for many years, into a region thriving with prosperity.

Addressing a huge gathering at Bichor Village, Mr Naqvi also cautioned peopel not to fall into the trap of the Opposition and their “negative agenda” of portraying the BJP as “anti minorities.”

He asserted that the only agenda that the Central government has is “development” and “development for all”.

The minority affairs minister told the gathering that it is only through “sadbhaav, bhaichaara aur ekta” that the “negative campaign” against the NDA government could be dispelled.

Referring to the surgical strike carried out by the Indian Army, Mr Naqvi said that the Prime Minister gave a “befitting reply” to anti-India forces in the wake of the terrorist attack in Uri.

“If ever there comes a time when our borders are in danger... if ever there comes a time when this country and its 125 crore people are in danger, then Modi, like a majboot rashtrawadi sipahi, will stand shoulder to shoulder with you to be your protector... today is one such day,” Mr Naqvi said, leading to loud applause by the crowd.