Amidst discussions sparked by a recent report on India's demographic landscape, Anurag Thakur, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, has questioned the basis of Muslim insecurity in the country. Thakur's remarks come as the report reveals a significant 45% increase in the Muslim population, alongside their fair share of government welfare benefits. Released by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, the report contrasts a 7.82% decline in the Hindu population from 1950 to 2015 with a notable 43.15% rise in the Muslim populace. Thakur, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), assures that minority communities are thriving and refutes allegations of the BJP's intentions to amend the Constitution. He accuses opposition parties, particularly the Congress, of aiming to redirect reservation benefits, originally meant for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), towards Muslims.
Emphasizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to preserving reservation based on social categories rather than religion, Thakur asserts that discussions on population control policies will ensue within the new government before any concrete decisions are made. Reflecting on the changing population dynamics, Thakur highlights the substantial increase in the Muslim population compared to Hindus and criticizes the Congress for alleged schemes favoring Muslims, thus instilling fear among SCs and STs. He underscores the BJP's agenda of inclusive development and condemns what he perceives as the Congress's divisive politics of appeasement.
Thakur further accuses the Congress of engaging in divisive politics and asserts that the BJP has prioritized inclusive development throughout its tenure. He points to various government initiatives aimed at uplifting marginalized communities, including the construction of four crore houses under the PM Awas Yojna, with 58% of these houses allocated to SC/ST beneficiaries. Additionally, Thakur highlights the provision of annual financial assistance of Rs 6,000 to farmers, a majority of whom belong to the SC/ST and OBC categories.
Moreover, Thakur underscores the significant strides made in providing basic amenities to the populace, including the construction of 12 crore toilets, the provision of 13 crore water connections, and the distribution of 10 crore free cooking gas cylinders. He also notes the provision of free medical treatment to 60 crore people and free ration to 80 crore people, underscoring the government's commitment to improving the lives of all citizens, regardless of their socio-economic background.
In response to allegations by opposition parties, Thakur vehemently denies claims that the BJP intends to abolish reservation quotas for SCs/STs/OBCs. He accuses the Congress of spreading fear and misinformation, particularly in states where they hold power, alleging that they have redirected reservation quotas from SC/ST communities to Muslims. Thakur contends that such tactics are emblematic of the Congress's politics of appeasement, contrasting it with the BJP's ethos of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" (Together with All, Development for All).
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