Committed to "development with dignity" of minorities: BJP

Attempting to reach out to the muslims through friendly organisations, the BJP on Monday emphasised that it was committed to "development with dignity" of the minorities.

At a seminar on minorities' participation in building "New India", organised by Gareeb Nawaz Education and Development Council and attended by Ulemas and intellectuals from the community, Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi listed out several schemes that are aimed at empowering Muslims.

Job-oriented skill development schemes being run by minority affairs ministry such as "Seekho Aur Kamao", "Nai Manzil", "Nai Roushni", "Garib Nawaz Skill Development Programme" and "Hunar Haat" have provided jobs and employment opportunities to people from these communities, Naqvi told the gathering.

The minister also stated that more than 250 multi-purpose community halls and 23 gurukul-type residential schools have been constructed. A new Haj policy is also in the offing.

Attacking the Congress, Naqvi said, the Modi Government has fulfilled the commitment to "Development with Dignity" of minorities by eradicating the "disease of appeasement" given to the country by so-called "political champions of secularism" for last several decades.

The so-called "political champions of secularism" exploited minorities especially muslims for last several decades which led to economic, social and educational backwardness of the community compared to other sections, the minister stated.

"Had the money been spent in real, not a single person from minority communities should have left below poverty line. But the Muslim community was kept in dark in the name of development," he pointed out.

The other member from the BJP present at the seminar was Sabir Ali from Bihar.