Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 18 Dec: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today participated in a programme organised on the occasion of World Minority Rights Day at the Himalayan Cultural Centre in Nimbuwala, Dehradun. On this occasion, he also honoured meritorious students from the minority communities and inspected various stalls displaying developmental initiatives. The event witnessed a large gathering, during which several Muslim women expressed gratitude to the CM for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand and they also observed that the CM was working for the welfare of the state and the minority community.
Addressing the gathering on this occasion, the CM said that the state government is running a number of schemes dedicated to the welfare and empowerment of minority communities.
Dhami said the occasion provided an opportunity to reflect on the fundamental duties of citizens towards preserving the unity and integrity of the nation, observing that Indian culture has for centuries upheld the values of equality and mutual respect among all the religions and the communities. He added that despite the country’s vast diversity in culture, traditions, languages and food habits, a deep sense of unity has always bound the nation together. Referring to the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the CM said that India has traditionally viewed the entire world as one family.
Dhami also asserted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all sections of society are being empowered through the guiding principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. He stated that members of the minority community are being brought into the mainstream through flagship welfare schemes such as the Jan Dhan Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, PM Awas Yojana and the free ration scheme. He also highlighted several key decisions taken by the Prime Minister, including the construction of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, the removal of taxes on langars, the launch of the Jiyo Parsi scheme, the development of the Buddhist Circuit, the establishment of Jain study centres, the digital and transparent reform of the Haj pilgrimage process and the abolition of the regressive practice of Triple Talaq.
The CM said that under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, schools, colleges, hostels, ITIs, health centres and skill development institutes are being set up in minority-concentrated areas to strengthen educational and social infrastructure. He added that reforms in Waqf laws have been undertaken to ensure transparency and accountability of Waqf properties so that their benefits reach the poor, needy and backward sections of society.
Dhami said that in line with the PM’s guidance, the state government is providing financial incentives to minority students preparing for competitive examinations under the Mukhyamantri Alpasankhyak Protsahan Yojana, while annual assistance is being extended through Pre-Matric and Post-Matric scholarship schemes. Reiterating the government’s commitment to social justice, he said the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has been implemented in Uttarakhand as promised, setting a new example for the country in ensuring equality before the law.
To accelerate economic and educational development in minority-dominated areas, he said the Minority Development Fund has been established, under which Rs 4 crore is made available every year. Members of minority communities were being linked with employment opportunities through the Mukhyamantri Hunar Yojana, while under the Minority Self-Employment Scheme, loans of up to Rs 10 lakh were being provided with a subsidy of 25 per cent. He further said that under the Maulana Azad Education Loan Scheme, interest-free education loans of up to Rs 5 lakh were being extended to poor students, with more than Rs 4 crore disbursed to 169 beneficiaries over the past four years.
The CM announced that a new Minority Education Law had been implemented in Uttarakhand to ensure quality education for children from minority communities. He clarified that the law was not confined to any single community but ensured equal educational opportunities and constitutional rights for all minorities in the state, including Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Muslims. Under the new law, he said, the curriculum prescribed by the Uttarakhand Board of School Education would be taught alongside religious education in all minority institutions, including Madrasas.
Dhami claimed that an anti-conversion law had been enforced in the state to safeguard the autonomy of all the religions and to prevent conversions through pressure, inducement or deceit, and maintain social harmony.
The programme was attended by Vice Chairperson of the Uttarakhand Minority Commission Farzana Begum, Padma Shri awardee RK Jain, President of the Hemkund Sahib Trust Narendrajit Singh Bindra, Chairman of the Waqf Board Shadab Shams amongst others.
