NDA govt ensured development of minorities: Naqvi

Without taking any names, the minority affairs minister accused the "so-called champions of secularism" of working only to appease and exploit minorities, resulting in backwardness of the communities, particularly Muslims.

But, he added, the present regime has ensured all communities, including minorities, become equal partners in the country's development process, the statement said.

Addressing a seminar on 'Participation of Minorities in Building a New India' here, Naqvi also listed several schemes the government has been implementing for the welfare of the communities and talked about the proposed Haj Policy for 2018 -2022.

Among the key features of the draft policy include maintaining reservation for Haj pilgrims aged above 70 and allowing women aged more than 45 to travel in at least a group of four without being accompanied by a male relative or a 'Mehram'. "The Modi government has fulfilled the commitment to development of minorities by eradicating the disease of appeasement given to the country by so-called political champions of secularism for last several decades," the statement quoted Naqvi as saying. Naqvi said that previous governments claimed to spend crores of rupees for the welfare of Muslims. "But the Muslim community was kept in the dark in the name of development," he added.

Whereas, the minister said, the development works carried out by the Modi government during last three years have benefited the poor, including a large number of minorities.