Socio-economic development of minorities a moral commitment: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said that socio-economic educational empowerment of minorities is our moral commitment and not a political gimmick like that of "pseudo-secularists".

During a meeting with scholars, academicians, vice-chancellors of different universities and intellectuals, Naqvi said that "selfish politics" over the issue of empowerment of minorities will not be allowed to succeed.

Naqvi said some forces with "feudal mindset" are trying to disturb the atmosphere of communal harmony, development and trust in the country but no destructive agenda can dominate development agenda of the BJP-led Central Government.

He said such forces are restless due to steps taken for overall development of all sections of society under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. This is the reason that such people are trying to disturb environment of peace and development over baseless issues.

Naqvi said the Congress and its 'friends' are misguiding the people of the country on the issue of "tolerance and intolerance". "But, these people will not succeed in their conspiracy," he said.

"Muslims and other minorities, who were politically exploited by so-called secular political parties for last several decades, have seen a new ray of hope in the Modi government. They have realized that only Modi Government is working with complete honesty and strong commitment for their inclusive growth," he said.

Naqvi said that steps taken by the Modi government for development of minorities have started yielding results. The government is working to provide fruits of development to the last person in society.

The meeting was also attended by Prof Mehrajuddin, Vice-Chancellor of Central University Kashmir, Prof Ashok Aima, Vice-Chancellor of Central University Jammu, Prof Aslam Pervez, Vice-Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Dr Syed Ali Karim, Director NCPUL, Prof Talat Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia and Dr Hamidullah Batt.