Kiren Rijiju: Minority Affairs Ministry is Inclusive of All Communities

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized that the Ministry of Minority Affairs serves all minority communities, not just Muslims. He criticized the Congress era for treating Muslims as a vote bank. Rijiju highlighted the NDA government's inclusive approach, focusing on comprehensive development and equal opportunities for all recognized minority groups.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday asserted that the role of the Minority Affairs Ministry is not limited to the Muslim community but aims to benefit all minority communities across the country. Speaking to the media about the Ministry's achievements in the first 100 days of the NDA government, Rijiju criticized the previous Congress administration for fostering the impression that the ministry served only Muslims, which he said had hindered its mission.

"Under the Congress regime, Muslims were treated as a 'vote bank,' and little was done to uplift the community in a meaningful way. This left many Muslims impoverished and did not address the long-term development goals of the community," Rijiju stated. He emphasized that his government's approach is more inclusive, ensuring equal attention to all six recognized minority communities – Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis.

"The Ministry of Minority Affairs now works for all minority communities. The government is implementing schemes aimed at uplifting all minority groups, focusing on those previously neglected. The ministry is crafting targeted schemes to ensure every community benefits from government programs and policies," he added. Rijiju expressed pride in the progress made by minority communities in India, asserting that they are now safe, secure, and enjoying better opportunities than in many other countries.

The minister affirmed the government's commitment to fostering inclusivity and addressing the needs of all minority groups in India. "These 100 days have also been focused on strengthening the existing ecosystem through digitized scheme processes and evaluation mechanisms," he concluded.

(With inputs from agencies.)