Hyderabad, July 30: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday launched a scathing attack on Narendra Modi government for neglecting Muslims by slashing the budget for the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA).
Speaking in Lok Sabha on Union Budget 2024-25, the Hyderabad MP lashed out at the government for a 38% budget cut for MoMA.
Stating that allocation has been brought down from Rs.5,000 crores to Rs.3,000 crores, he asked how India could progress if it discriminates against its 17 crore Muslims.
Owaisi stated that it is impossible to build a developed India while Ignoring Muslims. He asked the Modi government to end hostility and hatred towards Muslims.
He alleged that the BJP-led NDA government is not working with honesty and integrity. He remarked that Muslims are being treated as untouchables.
He slammed the government reduction in scholarships for minorities. Recalling the Prime Minister’s promise of 1 crore scholarships in 2019, he said only 58% were delivered.
The Muslim MP said that in the 15-24 age group, Muslim admissions are the lowest at 29%, compared to SC at 44%, OBC at 52%, and Upper Castes at 59%. He mentioned that in higher education, Muslim enrollment is only 5%. Muslims have the lowest proportion in self-employment and only 26% in casual employment.
Owaisi also spoke of the underdevelopment in Muslim-majority areas and accused the government of making false promises. He criticised the allocation of Rs. 97 crores to the Haj committee of India and alleged that it has become a hub of bribery. He demanded dissolution of the Haj Committee and a CBI inquiry into the corruption.
He spoke in detail about Muslim poverty and exclusion and raised questions about the budget allocations for various sectors. He asked if there are no poor among the 17 crore Muslims in the country.
He stated that Muslims are the poorest and least educated in this beloved nation. Citing various statistics, Owaisi highlighted the economic backwardness of Muslims. He said that Muslims are not being given representation in jobs and that the Modi government has treated Muslims as untouchables, excluding them from participation.
He mentioned that while the promise was to provide one crore scholarships, only 58 lakh scholarships were given. He accused the government of not working with honesty and integrity, likening its efforts to giving a camel a mere cumin seed.
He emphasized that the Modi government needs to end its hatred towards Muslims and grant them constitutional rights. Owaisi questioned how a developed India could be built while ignoring Muslims.
He also criticised finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman for ignoring child hunger, stating that 66 million children go to bed hungry every night. “It’s the misfortune of these children that a tea seller became the prime minister,” he said.
