Kiren Rijiju: All communities equal under Constitution, minorities safe in India
Synopsis
At a Mumbai seminar on the Parsi Zoroastrian community, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju pushed back hard against what he called 'fake narratives' on minority safety, invoked Modi's Sabka Saath vision, flagged India's Muslim population potentially surpassing Indonesia's, and took aim at West Bengal's non-adoption of the Centre's E-Vidhan scheme — all in one appearance.
Key Takeaways
Kiren Rijiju asserted at a Mumbai NCM seminar on Saturday that all citizens are equal under the Constitution regardless of religion or population size.
He dismissed "fake narratives" by political parties that claim Muslims and Christians are unsafe in India.
Rijiju said India's Muslim population could equal or surpass Indonesia 's — the world's largest — after the upcoming census, delayed from 2021 due to Covid-19.
West Bengal has not implemented the Centre's E-Vidhan (One Nation, One Application) scheme; Rijiju said an MoU must be signed within a month of the new government taking charge.
Rijiju congratulated Suvendu Adhikari on taking oath as West Bengal Chief Minister , backing the "Double Engine" government vision.
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Saturday asserted that all citizens in India are equal under the Constitution, irrespective of their population size or religious affiliation, and dismissed what he called "fake narratives" suggesting that minorities are unsafe in the country. He was speaking at a seminar organised in Mumbai by the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) in collaboration with knowledge partners TISS and the Parzor Foundation.
Key Remarks at the Seminar
The event, titled "Parsis in Modern India: Navigating Cultural and Socio-Economic Pathways", focused on the Parsi Zoroastrian community and their contributions to India's socio-economic fabric despite their small demographic footprint. Addressing the media on the sidelines, Rijiju emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" (Together with all, Development for all) ensures that no community is assessed through the lens of religion or caste.
"There are some political parties in India that repeatedly try to scare Muslims and Christians by saying that they are in danger in this country. In India, everyone is equal. The Constitution has given everyone equal status," he said.
"Whether a population is small or large, we do not look at them based on caste or religion. Some political elements repeatedly try to frighten Muslims and Christians by claiming they are at risk, but this is far from the truth," Rijiju added.
On India's Changing Demographics
The Union Minister also touched upon India's evolving demographic landscape, noting that the Muslim population in India is expected to be among the largest globally. He observed that the 2021 Census was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the next official count will provide a clearer picture of population figures.
Rijiju remarked that after about 15-16 years since the last census, India's Muslim population might likely equal or even surpass that of Indonesia, which currently holds the world's largest Muslim population. He noted that the upcoming census will reflect significantly higher figures across communities.
Sharp Criticism of West Bengal Government
Rijiju directed pointed criticism at the West Bengal government over the non-implementation of Central schemes. He revealed that the "One Nation, One Application" (E-Vidhan) scheme — which digitises Legislative Assemblies — had not been adopted in the state.
The Union Minister said he has instructed officials to ensure that once a new Assembly Speaker is elected and a government is in place in West Bengal, a memorandum of understanding will be signed within a month to bring the State Assembly into the national digital framework.
Congratulates New West Bengal Chief Minister
Earlier, Rijiju congratulated Suvendu Adhikari after he took oath as the West Bengal Chief Minister. In a post on social media platform X, Rijiju wrote: "Congratulations to @SuvenduWB ji on taking oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal. Wishing him a successful tenure devoted to the welfare and progress of the people. Under the guidance of PM @narendramodi ji, the 'Double Engine' Sarkar will continue to drive development, empower citizens and create new opportunities across West Bengal."
The remarks come at a time of heightened political polarisation around minority rights and communal harmony, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seeking to counter opposition narratives ahead of the West Bengal Assembly transition. How the new double-engine government delivers on development promises for all communities will be closely watched.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kiren Rijiju say about minorities in India?
Rijiju asserted that all citizens in India are equal under the Constitution, regardless of religion or population size, and dismissed claims by certain political parties that Muslims and Christians are unsafe in the country as 'fake narratives'.
Where was the seminar held and what was it about?
The seminar titled 'Parsis in Modern India: Navigating Cultural and Socio-Economic Pathways' was held in Mumbai, organised by the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) with TISS and the Parzor Foundation as knowledge partners. It focused on the Parsi Zoroastrian community's contributions to India's socio-economic fabric.
What did Rijiju say about India's Muslim population?
Rijiju noted that India's Muslim population, after the long-delayed census is conducted, could likely equal or even surpass that of Indonesia, which currently holds the world's largest Muslim population. He attributed the delay in the 2021 Census to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Why did Rijiju criticise the West Bengal government?
Rijiju criticised West Bengal for not implementing the Centre's E-Vidhan (One Nation, One Application) scheme, which digitises state Legislative Assemblies. He said he has directed officials to ensure an MoU is signed within a month of the new government and Assembly Speaker being in place.
Who is Suvendu Adhikari and why did Rijiju congratulate him?
Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal, and Rijiju congratulated him via a post on social media platform X, expressing hope that the 'Double Engine' government under PM Modi's guidance would drive development and empower citizens across the state.
