New Delhi, March 2 (IANS) Admitting that communalism is a problem faced by the nation, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday, however, said accusations will not solve it.
"Several members raised the issue of communalism. These issues are there, communalism is there, casteism is there, untouchability was there... But to fight these problems, accusation and counter accusation will not help. We must isolate these powers, we must not glorify them," Naqvi said while participating in a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the motion of thanks to President Pranab Mukherjee's address to both houses of parliament.
"...when I say this, I am saying this in a non-political manner," he said.
The minister added that the Congress was not to be thanked for the fact that India is a secular nation.
"...we do not give the credit to Congress... the people of this country decided this nation will be secular. This country has faced the pain of communalism, fragmentation of society and riots for six decades. Our country is secular not because of anyone, but because people of this country have chosen secularism," he said.
He also said that the majority community is to be thanked for secularism being deep rooted.
"The roots of secularism are strong because the majority community has strengthened it. Minorities have not planted secularism, the majority guaranteed safety of minority. Whatever government comes, this secularism cannot be affected," he said.
"The people of this country will never like Taliban mentality and religious intolerance".
The minister said the authors of the country's constitution were visionaries because they chose to make India a secular nation even when neighbouring Pakistan chose to be an Islamic nation.
"We salute the authors of our constitution for their vision that at a time when the neighbouring country declared itself an Islamic nation, the authors of our constitution made this country secular... That (Pakistan) is an Islamic nation where children are being killed, mosques are being blown up and terrorism is cultivated," he said.
He added that his government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were dedicated to maintaining communal harmony in the nation.
"There are discussions on comments outside in this house. Everyone wants that the social fabric remains intact. The prime minister and our government is very positive and clear about this. The prime minister has said in this house as well that we will not let anyone destroy communal harmony," he added.
Narendra Modi: American MPs will listen to PM Modi's thunder at Red Fort on Independence Day, and will also meet these people
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers is visiting India to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the Red Fort on August 15. The bipartisan parliamentary delegation is led by Indian-American
India moves closer to production of Akash missile, DRDO hands over technology-related information to MSQAA
Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has handed over all the confidential information related to the technology of the Akash weapon system to the Missile Systems Quality Assurance
World Bank: The World Bank has reduced China's growth forecast for 2022, from 4.3% to 2.7%
In a report released on Tuesday, the World Bank has reduced China's growth forecast for the year 2022 from 4.3 percent to 2.7 percent. The figure of 4.3 percent was released by the World Bank in June.
IND vs SA: 'Try to win Tests on good pitches, not in three days'; Ganguly questions Gambhir's strategy
The first Test match between India and South Africa played in Kolkata ended within three days. South Africa, captained by Temba Bavuma, defended a target of just 123 runs and won by 30 runs. The match
Sister Shweta Singh Kirti became emotional on the death anniversary of Sushant Singh Rajput, shared a special picture of her brother
Sushant Singh Rajput 3rd Death Anniversary: Sushant Singh Rajput was the rising star of Bollywood. Sushant had made a special place in the film industry in a very short time with his hard work and
Tauktae spoiled weather of 6 states: break 120-year-old record of rain in Delhi, cloudy rains for 14 hours in Rajasthan; Snowfall in Kedarnath
Tauktae storm has spoiled the weather patterns in many states. Generally, where it is hot in May, it is raining in 6 states right now. This has also brought down the temperature here. According to the
Letter to government's airline companies: give seats to MPs of their choice; VIP parking at the airport, priority check-in, and lounge access
After the privatization of Air India, the government is worried about the VIP treatment of MPs in airports and flights. The government has written a letter to all airlines, including Air India, in
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's health deteriorated, tomorrow the Corona test will be
New Delhi: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is ill. Their test will be tomorrow. He has complained of mild fever and sore throat since yesterday. After that he canceled the entire meeting from yesterday
World Cup: Team India became champion twice in 12 World Cups, India's performance was like this every time from 1975 to 2019
There is now one month left for the World Cup to be held in India from October 5. The BCCI is going to announce the Indian team for the tournament on Tuesday (September 5). The onus is on the
Covid 19 Vaccination: From April 11, government and private employees can be vaccinated at the workplace
New Delhi, The vaccination campaign can also be launched at the workplace from April 11 in states and union territories to check the growing cases of corona. This is being done to increase
