Uttarakhand: The Chief Minister participated in the program organized on the occasion of World Minority Rights Day
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Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in a program organized at the Himalayan Cultural Centre, Nimbuwala, Dehradun, on Thursday, on the occasion of World Minority Rights Day. During the event, the Chief Minister honored meritorious students from the minority community and inspected various stalls.
A large number of Muslim women expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister for implementing the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand. The women said that Chief Minister Dhami is working for the state and the minority community like a brother. The Chief Minister stated that the government is running several schemes for the minority community.
He said that today is an opportunity to remember our fundamental duties for the preservation of India’s unity and integrity. Indian culture has a centuries-old tradition of equality and respect for all religions and communities. Despite the diversity of cultures, traditions, languages, and food habits in India, there has always been a spirit of unity. He said that by embracing the great principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), India has always considered the entire world as one family.
The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all communities are being taken forward with the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (Together with all, development for all). Today, through numerous schemes like the Jan Dhan Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, and free ration scheme, all people from the minority community are being connected to the mainstream. Under the Prime Minister’s leadership, decisions have been taken such as the construction of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, removal of all types of taxes on langar (community kitchen), the Geo Parsi scheme, development of the Buddhist circuit, establishment of a Jain study center, making the Haj pilgrimage process digital and transparent, and ending the evil practice of triple talaq.
The Chief Minister said that through the Prime Minister’s Jan Vikas Program, schools, colleges, hostels, ITIs, health centers, and skill development institutions are being established in minority-dominated areas. The Chief Minister said that concrete steps have also been taken towards transparent and accountable management of Waqf properties through reforms in the new Waqf laws, so that the real benefits of these properties reach the poor, needy, and backward sections of society. The Chief Minister said that under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the state government is providing financial assistance to minority students for preparing for various competitive examinations through the Chief Minister’s Minority Incentive Scheme. Annual scholarships are also being provided to children from minority communities under the pre-matric and post-matric scholarship schemes. He said that, as promised to the people, they have implemented the Uniform Civil Code in the state. By implementing the Uniform Civil Code, they have shown a new direction to the entire country in the direction of social justice and equality.
The Chief Minister said that a Minority Development Fund has also been established to accelerate economic and educational development in minority areas as per the demand. Under this fund, an amount of ₹4 crore is being provided annually. Through the Chief Minister’s Skill Development Scheme, people from minority communities are being connected with employment opportunities. Under the Minority Self-Employment Scheme, loans up to ₹10 lakh are being provided with a 25 percent subsidy for self-employment. Under the Maulana Azad Education Loan Scheme, interest-free education loans up to ₹5 lakh are being provided to poor students from minority communities. Under this scheme, more than ₹4 crore has been distributed to 169 beneficiaries in the last four years.
The Chief Minister said that with the objective of providing quality education to children from minority communities in the state, a new Minority Education Act has been implemented. This law is not limited to any one community, but will provide equal opportunities and constitutional rights in the field of education to all minority communities of Uttarakhand – Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Muslims. Under this act, all minority schools, including all madrasas, will teach the curriculum prescribed by the Uttarakhand School Education Board along with religious education.
The Chief Minister said that the government has also implemented an anti-conversion law in the state to ensure the protection of the autonomy of all religions. This is to prevent conversions through any kind of coercion, inducement, or deception and to maintain social harmony. The Chief Minister said that in many other countries of the world, minority communities face discrimination and persecution. On the occasion of World Minority Rights Day, the Chief Minister appealed to all minorities to raise their voices against the atrocities and discrimination happening in other countries through social media.
Present on the occasion were Farzana Begum, Vice Chairperson of the Uttarakhand Minority Commission, Padma Shri Dr. R.K. Jain, Narendrajeet Singh Bindra, Chairman of Hemkund Sahib Trust, Shadab Shams, Chairman of the Waqf Board, and others.
