NEW DELHI, July 8: Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has stirred a political controversy with his recent remark that minorities in India receive more support and funding than Hindus. His assertion has sparked a flurry of reactions from both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition parties.
Rijiju, speaking about the Modi government’s 11-year tenure, stated, “Minority communities today receive more targeted support and funding than the majority community, the Hindus. What the minorities get, the Hindus don’t.” He termed the government’s approach as “unprecedented support” to minorities in areas such as education, livelihood, and empowerment.
Defending Rijiju’s statement, senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi claimed that the Modi-led government has “ended communal polarisation” and worked towards “inclusive empowerment.” He added, “Work has been done to bring happiness in the eyes and prosperity in the life of the needy and the person standing at the last rung of society.”
BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar also backed Rijiju’s view, asserting that “the country is more secure now” than under previous governments. “During the UPA era, bomb blasts occurred every two months. But in the last 11 years, not a single major blast has taken place. Minorities, majorities, and all ordinary citizens are secure today,” he said.
However, the opposition was quick to slam the remarks, calling them divisive. Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi criticised Rijiju for targeting Muslims and warned against weakening the nation through religious polarisation. “The Constitution is equal for everyone. These leaders speak against Muslims to gain votes,” he said.
Echoing the sentiment, NCP MLA Rohit Pawar accused the BJP of promoting communal tension. “The Minister must first look at his own party leaders who indulge in Hindu-Muslim rhetoric. BJP is clearly using religion to divide the electorate,” Pawar alleged.
The controversy underscores the sensitive political terrain surrounding religion and identity in India, especially ahead of critical state elections and the 2029 general polls. While the BJP continues to defend its welfare schemes as inclusive, opposition parties are accusing the government of using communal narratives for political gain.
