Modi Govt curtailing Budget, schemes for Muslims: Asauddin Owaisi

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Thursday justified ban on cow slaughter and stated that it was a sensitive issue for the Hindus. He also said those who want to eat beef have no place in India and they should go to Pakistan or any other beef-eating nation.

Stating that there would be no comprise on the issue of beef ban, the Minister said no Muslim would like to hurt religious feelings of the Hindus. He was speaking at the Aaj Tak’s Manthan programme organised to mark the one year of Narendra Modi government.

However, Mr. Naqvi’s comments were countered by AIMIM President and MP Asaduddin Owaisi who asked whether the Centre would impose blanket ban on beef across India. He also asked what the government wanted to do in states like Goa, Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala where a large number of people eat beef.

On the issue of backwardness among Muslims, Mr. Naqvi said the Modi government was taking steps to eradicate poverty among the minorities. “It is a fact that Muslims have remained away from development…Various social security schemes started by our government would help Muslims in a big way,” he added.

When asked about controversial statements against Muslims by his party MPs like Sakshi Maharaj and Yogi Adityanath on conversion and population, Mr. Naqvi said they were “isolated voices” which should not be taken seriously.

However, Mr. Owaisi accused the BJP-led NDA government of cutting down of budget meant for minorities and not initiating enough steps to ensure development of Muslims. “Mr. Modi has not taken a single meeting of 15-point programme meant for Muslims…There has been no word on implementation of either Sachar Committee report or Shunglu
Committee report that talks about development of Muslims. On the other hand, it was against reservation for backward Muslims and cutting down on budget meant for Muslims,” Mr. Owaisi added.