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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Modi govt empowering Muslims ever since it came to power: BJP national gen secy
LUCKNOW Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary Tarun Chugh on Sunday said the Modi government has been fighting to eradicate poverty, empower women and Muslims from the day it came to power at the Centre. He said it was very much evident when Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh briefed the media during the Operation Sindoor. BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh speaking at the party's Minority Morcha event in Lucknow on June 29. (Sourced) Chugh was in the state capital to attend the BJP Minority Morcha's event- 'Alpsankhyakon ka Paigam - Modi ke saath Musalman' at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Convention Centre. It's part of the BJP's efforts to engage with and outreach to minority groups, showcasing their support and inclusivity. Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak and other party leaders also attended the event. Addressing the gathering, Chugh said: 'The day the Modi government came to power on May 26, 2014, it has been fighting to eradicate poverty.' The BJP leader listed out various welfare schemes of the Centre in which all sections of the community, including Muslims, are beneficiaries. 'In all welfare schemes of the government, Muslims are beneficiaries in large numbers. Be it housing for the poor, Ujjwala gas, toilets, medical insurance and other such schemes,' Chugh added. 'The Modi government's efforts to empower women was clearly evident when Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh briefed the nation during Operation Sindoor,' he said. 'The government gave ration to 80 crore needy people without asking their caste and religion,' the BJP leader added. Speaking on the occasion, deputy CM Brajesh Pathak attacked the Congress and the Samajwadi Party. 'For the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, Muslims are only vote bank. Both the parties have done nothing for Muslims,' Pathak said. 'Your children were left behind in all spheres of life only because of the Congress and the Samajwadi Party,' he added. Further attacking the SP, Pathak said if Muslims do not vote for the Samajwadi Party, it would not be in a position even to get its corporator elected. 'The Modi government is working for the welfare of Muslims. So, Muslims must help Modi ji,' he said. The deputy CM exhorted Muslims to take a firm decision and stop following the Samajwadi Party. Uttar Pradesh minister Danish Azad Ansari apprised the gathering that Pasmanda Muslims are the biggest beneficiaries of various welfare schemes of the Modi government. Basit Ali, state president of BJP Minority Morcha and its national vice president Zakir Hussain also addressed the gathering.
The Print
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
After Bakrid ‘donation' to Muslim family backfires, Tripura BJP faces Hindutva outrage & Oppn attacks
After the row erupted, the BJP's Minority Morcha said it was their goodwill effort to help the Muslim family and the chief minister was not involved. The Morcha denied that it was a cow but said it was a bull. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has long championed cow protection, came under attack from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) for allegedly facilitating a cow for slaughter while the opposition demanded the arrest of the VHP followers, who ransacked the Muslim family's house on Bakrid. New Delhi : A political controversy has erupted in Tripura over a cow that Chief Minister Manik Saha allegedly arranged to pacify a Muslim family whose house was ransacked, preventing them from making a kurbani, or sacrifice on Bakrid. 'During Bakrid, kurbani is made. When we heard that the poor family didn't have any animal to sacrifice, we, as a morcha, arranged an animal for the family. Normally, we facilitate donations during Eid and Bakrid. We, as the Minority Morcha, donated. The CM has no role in it as it is not a state government scheme. We, as human beings, helped the poor family,' BJP's Tripura Minority Morcha head Billal Mia told ThePrint. 'Now, the Congress and CPI(M) want to make politics out of it because they lost minority votes. The BJP is a party that celebrates Durga Puja and Eid and an offering is given on Bakrid. What's new in it?' he contended. The controversy centres around an incident on 7 June when members of Hindutva groups allegedly disrupted the Muslim family's ritual sacrifice, chasing away their sacrificial animal and reportedly assaulting the family, according to the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind. Hindutva outfits claimed the protest stemmed from concerns over animal sacrifice near the Mata Tripura Sundari Temple, a significant Hindu shrine in Udaipur, Tripura. Local leaders requested the Muslim community to avoid the public slaughter of cows or other animals near the temple. However, some families allegedly defied the request, prompting a protest by local youth. In response, Jamiat leaders met with local BJP MLA and Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy. After hearing the complaint, Roy reportedly discussed the matter with the CM and proposed gifting a cow to the aggrieved Muslim family. Following the chief minister's 'approval', Roy arranged for the cow and the BJP's Tripura Minority Morcha head Billal Mia, along with other local BJP leaders, delivered it to the family. The Muslim family later expressed gratitude to the CM and the BJP for the gesture. Also Read: Family matters in Bihar's Dalit politics—Manjhis to Paswans, how kin are rising up the ladder 'Donation can't be sacrificed' Billal Mia posted about the incident on Facebook on Monday evening, explicitly saying the arrangement was made under the chief minister's direction. But after the backlash, he removed any mention of the state government or Chief Minister Saha. The revised version stated: 'In light of the unfortunate incident that took place last Saturday in Udaipur (Rajnagar), a group from the minority community has made arrangements for sacrifice today.' BJP's national Minority Morcha chief Jamal Siddiqui told ThePrint, 'Our Morcha doesn't give donations for sacrifices. We worship the cow. Cow and bull slaughter is banned in the country. If anybody donated a cow or bull to a family for sacrifice, it's condemnable. Even in Islam, any donation can't be sacrificed. It should be earned or purchased.' The government has no scheme for helping a family for sacrifice and nor does the party, BJP's Tripura spokesperson Subrata Chakraborty told ThePrint. 'This is the first time I've heard of such a donation. Maybe an individual has helped but the party has no link with it.' Meanwhile, CPI(M) and Congress leaders protested against the attack on the Muslim family and asked the chief minister to book the culprits who ransacked the family's house. 'How come the chief minister allowed this to happen? The state government can't donate a cow for sacrifice during kurbani day. The government has not banned kurbani,' Congress state president Ashish Saha told ThePrint. 'How come the VHP and Hindutva outfits tortured and ransacked their house? They are committing crimes against the Muslims for political gain. They should be booked as per the law. The chief minister should arrest those who ransacked the Muslim family's house.' The incident came as tensions flared in recent days, during Bakrid, following reports of animal slaughter in public places. The Tripura police detained two people for allegedly slaughtering a cow in public in Gomati district. In Rajnagar, clashes broke out, prompting police to mediate between Hindu and Muslim groups. (Edited by Sugita Katyal)
Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
BJP at Shaheen Bagh: Muslim girls should aim for the Army
In a move aimed at expanding its outreach into the Muslim-dominated areas of the national capital, the BJP's Minority Morcha held a 'minority chaupal' in Shaheen Bagh on Tuesday. The main purpose of this chaupal was to encourage young Muslim girls to consider careers in the Indian Army, it said. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, an Indian Army officer who garnered attention during Operation Sindoor, was repeatedly cited as a role model throughout the event. This was the BJP's first such chaupal in the Capital under a broader national campaign celebrating the first-year anniversary of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's third term in office. The event was held in a modest hotel room in the heart of the neighbourhood that rose to national prominence during the 2020 anti-CAA protests. 'Our daughter should become strong, she should be educated, she should be independent…,' said Jamal Siddiqui, National President of the BJP Minority Morcha and chief guest at the event. 'If anyone tries to harass, scare, or intimidate her, she should be able to give a befitting reply. We have to take our daughters out of their homes and into society. They should also go to the border… and show the strength of Indian women.' 'To teach Pakistan a lesson, the leadership of (explaining) air strikes on terrorist bases was handed over to two daughters, Colonel Sophia and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and the world has been introduced to the courage, valour and bravery of Indian women,' he added. The chaupal featured a small but engaged gathering of two women and 20 party workers, and sought to familiarise attendees with the Agniveer recruitment scheme and other opportunities in the Armed Forces. Organisers also distributed copies of the Constitution and announced a one-stop camp for registrations under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. 'This is not just about Army recruitment,' said Ashu Chaudhary, Delhi State Executive Member of the Minority Morcha and the event's coordinator. 'It's about rights, awareness, and helping women from our community imagine a future where they are leaders.' Attendees were also handed 'data books' — kits detailing key government schemes across sectors such as education, employment, and health — with instructions to imitate similar minority chaupals in their localities and to share the data with other members of the Muslim community. The BJP's choice of Shaheen Bagh for the pilot chaupal carries political weight. Once the epicentre of the months-long protests, led largely by Muslim women against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the neighbourhood had become a symbol of resistance — and now, as the BJP frames it, potential transformation. 'We all are sons of India. We all are citizens of India. These 11 years of the Modi government have brought light where there was darkness,' Siddiqui declared. Launching a scathing attack against the BJP's political rivals, he added, 'The Congress and AAP created that darkness. Now, it is our duty to spread awareness, take the government's message and schemes to the people.'
Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Be like Colonel Sofiya Qureshi: BJP's minority wing to spread message at Shaheen Bagh chaupal today
In an attempt to motivate Muslim women to join the Indian Army, the BJP's Minority Morcha will be organising a 'minority chaupal' in Shaheen Bagh, Tuesday. The initiative marks the first such event in the Capital as part of a nationwide campaign by the minority wing to mark the Narendra Modi government's first anniversary of its third term in office The chaupal, according to party organisers, is aimed at encouraging Muslim women — particularly young girls — to consider careers in the Indian Army, including under the Agniveer recruitment scheme. The event will also include the distribution of copies of the Indian Constitution and information sessions on various government programs. 'Through this chaupal, Minority Morcha National President Jamal Siddiqui will inspire Muslim girls to join the Army, taking inspiration from officers like Colonel Sofiya Qureshi,' said Ashu Chaudhary, Delhi State Executive Member and programme coordinator. 'Muslim women will also be informed about their rights and achievements of the Modi government over the past 11 years.' Colonel Qureshi was the Indian Army officer who had briefed the media during Operation Sindoor. Siddiqui will be the chief guest at the event. A camp for one-stop registration under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana will be set up as part of the programme. Shaheen Bagh, which gained national attention during the 2019–20 anti-CAA protests led largely by Muslim women, has been chosen for the pilot chaupal under this campaign. In preparation for the chaupal, the Minority Morcha has reached out to residents through phone calls, text messages, and posters inviting them to attend, a party source said. Sources also said that the event is part of a broader campaign by the minority wing to reach minority communities across the country. 'State units have been tasked with forming teams at the district level to organise similar Chaupals nationwide, aimed at increasing awareness of central government initiatives and encouraging participation in civic and national programmes,' a minority morcha leader said. The campaign also comes in the backdrop of criticism faced by the party after BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Minister of Tribal Welfare, Kunwar Vijay Shah, had made remarks about Colonel Qureshi. Shah, an important tribal leader in the BJP ranks and a controversial figure, had said at an event near Mhow last month that 'India had taught a lesson to those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack using their own sister (unki samaaj ki behen ke zariye)', triggering a backlash from the Congress that alleged he referred to Col Qureshi. While the party has not officially responded to the incident, the minister later apologised and said that the comment was misunderstood and was a 'linguistic error.' While announcing the minority chaupal on Monday, the minority morcha stated, 'In the chaupal, while discussing with the daughters, they will be told about Colonel Qureshi and they will be inspired to be like her.'
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP Minority Morcha to launch campaign to encourage Muslim girls to join defence
The BJP Minority Morcha will run a nationwide campaign from June 9 to encourage Muslim women to join the defence forces. This was announced by its national president Jamal Siddiqui on Thursday (May 29, 2025). Also Read | BJP to distribute 'Saugat-e-Modi' kits to people from Muslim, Sikh and Christian communities The Minority Morcha plans to organise a programme on the 11 years of Modi government across the country. Meetings will be held in dargahs and madrasas, and Muslim girls will be encouraged to join the defence forces. 'We want them to also join the forces, become Agniveer. For this, we will start a programme across the country from June 9,' he said. Mr. Siddiqui alleged that some fundamentalists wanted to keep Muslim women confined, but 'according to Islam they have the freedom to go out and work'. Copies of the Constitution would be distributed and members of the community apprised of the rights bestowed upon them. For this, a big programme will be held in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh. Condemning the remarks of a Jammu BJP MLA, Mr. Siddiqui said no one had the right to insult the defence forces.
