In an interview with Newsweek, Modi rejects allegations of prejudice against minorities, calling them “usual tropes by those who.”

By – Prakarsh Kastwar

After Indira Gandhi, Narendra Modi is the first Indian prime minister to be featured on the cover of Newsweek.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi rejected allegations of discrimination against religious minorities in the country as “usual tropes” spread by individuals who “don’t bother to meet people outside their bubbles.” In an interview with US Newsweek magazine, Prime Minister Modi argued that these charges of discrimination do not reflect the reality that minorities face.

The prime minister claimed that India’s minorities, which include Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, and even micro-minorities such as Parsis, are “living happily and thriving in India.”

He stated that government efforts are designed to cross community and geographic boundaries, assuring equitable distribution to all inhabitants.

“For the first time in our country, our administration has developed a unique saturation coverage strategy for projects and initiatives. They are not tied to a specific society or area,” Modi told the American weekly.

According to him, these measures, which include housing, sanitary facilities, water access, and cooking fuel, as well as financial support and healthcare, are precisely organized to avoid any potential of prejudice.

“They are intended to reach everyone, hence they are built in such a way that no prejudice can occur. “Every citizen, regardless of community or religion, has access to amenities such as a house, toilets, water connection, or cooking fuel, as well as collateral-free credit or health insurance,” he stated.

The prime minister, who is seeking a rare third term in office, discussed the border issue with China as well as criticism of eliminating Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in a wide-ranging interview published by the magazine under the title “Narendra Modi and the Unstoppable Rise of India”.

Modi stated that the “prolonged situation on our borders” must be addressed promptly in order to put an end to the anomaly in bilateral ties.

The Chinese military’s efforts in eastern Ladakh in May 2020 prompted a military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and several “friction points” have still to be addressed. The two countries have held a number of meetings between senior commanders and the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs.

“India’s connection with China is crucial and substantial. “I believe that we must address the prolonged situation on our borders as soon as possible in order to put the abnormality in our bilateral interactions behind us,” he said.