New Delhi, May 12: Minorities are "flourishing" in India and have been an equal partner in development without discrimination under the Modi government, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Tuesday, dismissing allegations of Islamophobia as an attempt to defame the country.
The "Narendra Modi phobia club” has been unable to digest the inclusive growth under the prime minister and is engaged in a "nefarious campaign" in India and abroad through fake propaganda alleging "intolerance, communalism and discrimination" against minorities in India, Naqvi said.
In a blog titled "Islamophobia -- Bogey of Bogus Bashing Brigade", the minority affairs minister argued that the "Modi phobia club" is playing the “Islamophobia card" to harm the pluralistic fabric of India, but will not succeed.
Naqvi's remarks come days after a wave of angry reactions on Twitter by citizens and rights activists from various Arab countries following allegations that Muslims are being blamed for spreading COVID-19 in parts of India.
Also, the 57-member prominent international Mulim grouping, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, recently accused India of "Islamophobia".
India has dismissed all such allegations.
"Minorities in India are flourishing equally with all the citizens with a sense of equality, security and prosperity. Misinformation against such a gracious and tolerant country and its effective leadership is nothing but the height of ignorance and mental bankruptcy," Naqvi said.
He claimed that no riot took place in last 5 years of the Modi government and it was after "nefarious preaching" by those who were irked by this that the Delhi riots happened.
Naqvi said the women who sat on protests at Shaheen Bagh cannot be termed "anti-nationals" but they had been "misguided by the bogus bashing brigade”.
This brigade pushed these women on a path which had an “entry gate” but no “exit gate”, the minister said.
This was a “calculated conspiracy” by the brigade that wants to defame and disgrace Modi and India, Naqvi said.
He also argued that for the "first time since Independence", India has forged close and strong ties with nearly all Islamic nations and countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Afghanistan, Russia, Palestine, Mauritius and the Maldives have conferred Modi with their highest civilian awards.
"The United Nations has also conferred Narendra Modi with the prestigious 'Champions of the Earth Award'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's global acceptance and popularity doesn't need any certificate," Naqvi said.
The Modi government never planned development on the basis of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians or on region and caste, and its priority has been the poor and deprived, Naqvi said, adding that still some people with a “prejudiced mindset” are trying to defame India by raising the bogey of Islamophobia.
There is not a single incident of discrimination against any section of the society, including minorities under the Modi government, the minister asserted.
All sections, including minorities, are strongly moving forward on the path of “development with dignity” under the Modi government, he said.
When the challenges due to the coronavirus were in initial stages across the world in early January and several countries, including Pakistan, had not taken care of their people abroad, it was the Modi government that brought back thousands of Indians stranded in Wuhan (China), Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and other countries, Naqvi said, adding that a majority of these people were Muslims.
In the recent Vande Bharat Mission also, the Indian government is bringing back thousands of Indians from countries such as the Maldives, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar and other countries which include a large number of Muslims, he pointed out.
"Strong eternal commitment of my country will defeat and demolish the fake and fabricated Islamophobia card of the 'India bashing brigade'," Naqvi said in his blog.
Over 200 Dalit families near Vedaranyam claim to have been banned from participating in the temple festival, while 35 Dalit families in Karur complai that they were barred from even entering the local Mahasakhthi Amman temple. They claim that the temple was built using their contributions.
Comments
Masha Allah
Majority of Indian population are dalit, If 70% of dalits convert to Islam in India.Islam will become the number one in India.
Any individuals while choosing religion, he will go for the best religion.
Finally he will find Islam, because Islam is the best and easy to follow religion.
Accepting any religion means, agreeing its doctrine and following its teaching.
It has come to from the heart. Nobody can force to follow any religion nor can force to change it.
It comes from his inner conscience, what he or she feels comfortable.
We may force somebody to remain in the same religion or we can force also to change into any religion, which is like asking someone to agree and believe 2+2=3. Even if a person agrees to come under pressure, it means, he is not following its teaching by will and wish. So he can definitely violate and disobey its teaching.
Now coming into this case, first of all they are not comfortable what their fellow followers did them to ban the entry into temple. And no equality in their society. This is the main reason
Now choosing new religion is purely understanding and convincing its doctrine and real teaching.
Our constitution also empowers everyone to follow freely any religion. Not only this, it also empowers to propagate to others.
It is a great constitution.
Guide them properly OR Leave them alone.
Accepting any religion means, agreeing its doctrine and following its teaching.
It has come to from the heart. Nobody can force to follow any religion nor can force to change it.
It comes from his inner conscience, what he or she feels comfortable.
We may force somebody to remain in the same religion or we can force also to change into any religion, which is like asking someone to agree and believe 2+2=3. Even if a person agrees to come under pressure, it means, he is not following its teaching by will and wish. So he can definitely violate and disobey its teaching.
Now coming into this case, first of all they are not comfortable what their fellow followers did them to ban the entry into temple. And no equality in their society. This is the main reason
Now choosing new religion is purely understanding and convincing its doctrine and real teaching.
Our constitution also empowers everyone to follow freely any religion. Not only this, it also empowers to propagate to others.
It is a great constitution.
Guide them properly OR Leave them alone.
Welcome brothers and sisters ....Proud to be MUSLIMS
Islam invites people who learn about it and understand it. not to increase numbers....no need to convert just because they are not allowed in temples, they can follow their faith even from their hearts.
@ venki
Islam does not allow forced conversion.....we invite to the path of Islam. If someone wills then only..moreover we are not minorities in the world like you.....
@yogesh..
i think the people already know better to join islam than supporting RSS Terrorrists right....
Hari, nothing is impossible in this world, for that you need good heart and mind which I cannot see it in those so called hindutva group....they are all still remaining in their old and orthodox thinking. As a matter of fact there is no such a thing called upper and lower cast in the society but it has been created by bloody brahmins for their benefits...
Venke, Sangeeth .....if you feel that one can pray at home, then why you people are fighting for Ayodhya temple.... Beef exporting hypocrites....
If they convert to Islam....there they get all types of respect, which they have not seen and imagined in their entire past life...great religion......nice choice....well come guys....
Sangeeth Manglore
Yeah... they can pray anywhere as they are considered born out of feet.. Only those born out of Gods head, needed rich temples to pray and enjoy public wealth. Opportunistic
Hindutva group will do nothing if Dalits convert to Jainism, Buddhism but, as soon as Dalits want to convert to Islam or Christianity, Saffronist will come into action with some stupid solution
The best solution is as mention by Mr Rikaz, that all the Dalits must get BRAHMIN STATUS then all the discrimination may end.
Good that hindutava group is taking initiative......they should upgrade their status from lower caste (dalit) to upper caste (Brahmin) This is only the amicable solution for this problem, otherwise this problem (ill treating dalit) will recur every now and then.
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