Rights of SC/ST, minorities 'absolutely safe' under Modi government, says Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

The SC/ST, other minorities and the rights of the backwards are ‘absolutely safe’ under the Modi government, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Monday.

Minority Affairs Minister Naqvi also stated that a war is going on between those who are working towards nation’s progress and those having a ‘feudal mindset’.

“The rights of backwards, SC/STs, minorities and other weaker sections are absolutely safe and secure under the the Modi government,” Naqvi said in a statement from his office.

Criticising the opposition parties, the minister said that some out of power people with a ‘midnight political conspiracy’ and ‘legacy of corruption’ were against the development process. Naqvi further added that the government would not allow such people to succeed.

The statement comes days after Congress President Rahul Gandhi-led midnight match in the national capital to protest the Kathua and Unnao rape cases, but the statement did not elaborate his ‘midnight political conspiracy’ remark.

The comments come after Dalit organisation, protested a Supreme Court verdict, which according to them had diluted some provisions of the SC/ST act.

Naqvi claimed that the government had done ‘record works’ for the development of the weaker sections of the society during the last four years.

‘Security and rights given to SC/STs and minorities in the Constitution of the country will not be allowed to weaken in any manner. Also, the government has taken measures to provide constitutional security to the empowerment of the backward classes,’ Naqvi said.  

‘The government will not allow any disruptive, divisive, undemocratic and anti-development politics to dominate our commitment to inclusive growth,’ he added.

Naqvi also alleged that the opposition parties were "unable to digest" the nation's all round progress.

He further claimed that some are engaged in a "conspiracy" to disturb the ‘atmosphere of trust and development’ created by Modi among all sections of the society.

‘The prime minister is a man of strong commitment to inclusive growth. Every negative act and conspiracy against the agenda of development will be defeated,’ the minister said.