Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju today asserted that India has always been an inclusive society, embracing everyone. The groundbreaking ceremony of the Centre of Excellence in Heritage Languages and Cultural Studies at the Kalina Campus of Mumbai University was conducted by him.
Addressing the occasion, Mr Rijiju stated that this is not merely the beginning of a course, but the laying of a strong foundation for India’s bright future rooted in its cultural heritage. Highlighting the various initiatives taken up by his ministry, such as the ‘Jio Parsi’ scheme for the development of minority communities, he stressed the importance of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayaas’.
Mr Rijiju remarked that Mumbai plays a crucial role in India’s growth and praised Mumbai University for its unique importance in the academic sphere, with its rich legacy. He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 and expressed confidence that India is on the right track to achieve this goal. He added that the way forward lies in Atmanirbhar Bharat and called upon Mumbai University to play a catalytic role in this journey. He underscored the importance of cohesion in society in order to realise this vision.
Mr Rijiju criticised reports on deteriorating human rights conditions in India and affirmed that no other country in the world cares for its minorities the way India does, and that no one is unsafe in India. He claimed that incidents of assaults on minorities have reduced to negligible levels since 2014 and urged people not to be swayed by such reports. He asserted that India is democratic not only by its Constitution, but also in its character.
The programme also witnessed the felicitation of teachers from various institutions affiliated with Mumbai University.
Secretary of the Ministry of Minority Affairs Dr Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Vice Chancellor of Mumbai University Prof Dr Ravindra Kulkarni, and others were present on the occasion.
Speaking to the media after the event, Kiren Rijiju welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on the Waqf Amendment Bill and hailed it as a beacon of India’s parliamentary democracy. He noted that the bill was passed in Parliament after the longest discussion in history and reiterated that it will benefit the whole Muslim community.