Modi government to reach out to minorities: Naqvi

The government won't allow anyone to derail its development agenda by creating chasm among different communities, Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Wednesday.

The government has told Naqvi to start a massive campaign to aggressively implement schemes for the socio-economic and educational betterment of the minorities.

Naqvi plans to visit various states to instil confidence among the minorities and hold talks with state governments to implement welfare and educational schemes for minorities.

Naqvi told IANS that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was committed to the development agenda and no one would be allowed to hijack it.

Hindu right-wing groups have been aggressively organising meetings to make Christians and Muslims give up their religion and embrace Hindu religion, creating unease among the minorities.

"Our agenda is clear and that is development. Nothing more and nothing less," Naqvi told IANS.

"The government is committed to pursue this path seriously and without any hindrance."

The minister will start his campaign from Kochi Jan 3 and then visit Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Kolkata, Patna and other cities to review the implementation of minority welfare schemes.

He admitted that some states had not implemented these schemes in letter and spirit and so minorities had not benefited from them.

Naqvi said a state ministers' conference will be convened by the end of January or in the first week of February to review all minorities-related schemes and take steps to make them more attractive.

He said he will also meet Finance Minister Arun Jaitley before the budget to seek more funds for these schemes.

Naqvi said Tuesday that the confidence of minorities has to be won.

"That will not happen by sitting inside offices. It will happen when you go to them and discuss these issue and find solutions (to problems).

"My attempt is aimed at instilling a sense of confidence among minorities and to empower them educationally and economically."