Eminent Muslim citizens laud PM Modi’s minority outreach, assure cooperation to bring them into mainstream

New Delhi: After winning a historic mandate in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha Elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reached out to minorities. Speaking on May 25, after being elected the leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) post election results, Modi had told newly-elected alliance MPs that there was a need to remove the 'imaginary fear' from the minds of minorities.

Stating that some parties had deceived the minorities like the poor for years, the PM stressed that "we have to win their trust".

The PM had also stated that there was a need to look into the issue of welfare of minorities.

Now, more than a week after those remarks of the PM, a group of eminent citizens belonging to the Muslim community have welcomed Modi's remarks. They have offered to engage with the PM on various issues ranging from educational backwardness, skill development and confidence building measures.

In a letter to the PM signed by Kamal Faruqui, former chairman of the Delhi Minorities Commission, and others, the citizens congratulated the BJP leader for winning the trust of the people for a second



term.

"Please allow us to congratulate you for winning the trust of the people of India consecutively for the second term and becoming India's Prime Minister once again.

"We are also happy to note that in the first meeting of your party MPs, you unequivocally committed yourself to work for and serve all sections of society," the letter stated.

The undersigned pointed out that the problem of education and healthcare, as pinpointed by the PM, are "crucial to bring the minorities into the mainstream and make them fully productive".

Assuring the PM of "all our cooperation", the eminent citizens pointed out three focus points that need immediate attention: education and healthcare, skill development, and confidence-building measures by ensuring adequate protection under Constitution and the law of the land.

In his speech at the Central Hall of Parliament, PM Modi had said: “Minorities have been made to live in fear by those who believe in vote-bank politics… We have to end this deception and take everyone along.”

“Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and now, Sabka Vishwas is our mantra,” he had added.