Kiren Rijiju Dismisses Claims of Bias Against Minorities as Malicious Propaganda

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju asserts that the narrative of systemic discrimination in India is a coordinated effort to damage the nation’s international reputation.

NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju has firmly rejected the growing perception that minority communities in India are facing systematic discrimination. Speaking at the ‘Reforms Utsav’ event held at Bharat Mandapam, the minister characterized these allegations as a "malicious campaign" orchestrated by specific groups both within and outside the country to tarnish India’s image on the global stage.

Addressing the Narrative

During his address, Rijiju emphasized that the claims suggesting minorities are unsafe or treated unjustly are unfounded. He argued that these narratives are fueled by political opponents and external actors who are allegedly unsettled by the rapid developmental strides the nation has made. "They are jealous of the development happening in India," Rijiju said, adding that such propaganda is designed to deepen social divisions and weaken the fabric of the country.

He reminded the audience that in a vibrant democracy like India, election seasons often bring about heated political rhetoric. He urged citizens to look beyond partisan criticism and evaluate the government's track record directly. The minister stressed that isolated disputes in local settings should not be magnified into generalized attacks against the state, noting that maintaining national harmony is a shared responsibility.

A Decade of Budgetary Growth

Supporting the minister’s stance, Ministry of Minority Affairs Secretary Srivatsa Krishna presented data highlighting the government’s commitment to inclusive growth. He pointed out that the ministry’s budget has seen a significant increase of 111% over the last ten years, rising from Rs 1,949 crore in 2014 to Rs 4,115 crore today.

Krishna noted that such substantial investment into minority welfare schemes renders the criticism of systemic bias "unfair and misplaced." The event served to mark the upcoming 12-year tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose administration has championed initiatives like the ‘Jiyo Parsi’ scheme, which specifically aims to support smaller communities.

Progress on Waqf Digitization

The ministry also provided an update on the digitization of Waqf properties. Under the provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, a central portal named 'Umeed' was launched to streamline property registration. According to official figures, the documentation process for approximately 4.96 lakh properties has been completed.

While another 2.45 lakh properties are currently in various stages of verification, the ministry noted that many state boards are working to overcome documentation challenges. Despite the complexities involved in digitizing these assets, the government continues to coordinate with state bodies to ensure transparency and proper record-keeping for the remaining properties.