New Delhi, May 1: This time 131 people from minority communities, including 51 Muslims have cracked the civil services examination in India. Interestingly, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister for Minority Affairs, has credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government of India for the achievement of those individuals.
“Modi government’s policy of development with dignity without any discrimination ensured that 131 candidates from minority communities, crack the civil services examination this year,” said Naqvi, who also claimed that this is the first time since Independence that so many people from minority communities have cleared the UPSC exams.
Previous year, out of 1,099 people selected, 126 candidates belonged to minority communities. These include 52 Muslims (4.5 per cent).
“There is immense talent in minority communities, especially Muslim youths. But previous governments did not put enough effort to create an environment that would give them confidence,” Naqvi said.
“Prime Minister Modi’s government has given an atmosphere to protect and promote the talent of youths from minority communities, which has resulted in such a large number of youths from minority communities being selected for the top administrative services.”
Of the successful Muslim candidates, 26 had been coached and helped by the Zakat Foundation of India. The Foundation’s president Zafar Mahmood, however, rubbished Naqvi’s claims. He said, “The minister is showing himself in a poor light by saying this. The UPSC does not follow the government’s diktat — it is a 100-per cent transparent organisation.”
Mahmood said, “We have been making concerted efforts for the last 10 years to ensure that bright students from the community sit for competitive examinations. We have also been organising orientation programmes giving them confidence. These results are a fruition of that effort.”
There are six Muslims, including three women, in the top 100 this year. In 2017-18, 105 youths from minority communities who had qualified for the civil services prelims were provided financial support under the “Nai Udaan” scheme.
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