Modi government alone helped uplift madrasas: Aquil Ahmed

The minorities have always been a key vote bank in elections. In many a state they are the game-changers. The reason why parties dole out freebies and promises. The right-wing NDA govt too has initiated various projects for Muslims and allocated Rs 332.16 crore for proliferation of Urdu. DNA spoke to chairman of national council for proliferation of Urdu language Dr Aquil Ahmed to find about how the govt fared in its minority report card.

The general perception is that NDA govt is not minority-friendly...

There is no hostility towards minorities in this country. The Modi govt has given a fertile platform to minorities, especially Muslims, to flourish in their cultural and lingual diversity. It is the first govt to have given maximum grant for proliferation of Urdu.

How do you quantify that NDA govt worked for upliftment of minorities?

This govt is the only one to show interest towards neglected madrasas, uplifting and modernising them with proper infrastructure and facilities to impart quality education. A board too has been constituted as a go-by between the government and madrasas. The mode of education there too is turning digital.

Is NDA govt's largesse for Urdu due to minority tag?

Urdu is not the language of a minority community or Muslims alone. Many renowned Urdu writers, poets, academicians are Hindus. For instance Gulzar and Firaq Gorakhpuri. The grant is to help revive Urdu to its lost glory.

Does this mean Muslims as minority is a misnomer?

The NDA has strived to bring all communities to the mainstream. The genesis of minorities was Congress as it always wanted us to remain as second-class citizens. The party created fear psychosis that Hindu dominated parties like BJP, RSS will drive us out of the country. It is this manufactured fear that destroyed India's social fabric.