The Lok Sabha Election 2024 is all set to enter in the 7th phase. The voting for upcoming assembly elections will take place on 1st June 2024. All political parties are putting their best foot forward to campaign for their candidates from different constituencies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited Punjab to boost the morale of BJP candidates and campaign for LS Polls.
True Scoop got a chance to exclusively interact with Iqbal Singh Lalpura, chairman of India’s National Commission for Minorities. He is the only Sikh present on the parliamentary board of the BJP. He gave us insight into works done by BJP for minorities and plans of the central government for the minorities. He also talked about PM Modi’s faith in Sikhism and his plans for the betterment of Sikh community. Apart from this, Iqbal Singh Lalpura shared his views on the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections in Punjab.
Is the BJP against the minority? What are the different steps being taken by the central government for minorities?
In response to this question, Iqbal Singh Lalpura stated that in 1951 the minority population of India was 16%. As per the 2011 census minority population has gone up to 21%. Whereas the majority population has gone down from 84 to 79%. India is the only country across the globe that has seen an increase in the minority population. Talking about the countries that were once part of India, Pakistan has 22% of the minority population and is left with only 4%. Bangladesh also had a 22% minority population, which has gone down by 13% now.
In India, minorities enjoy all the rights that the majority population has. Any person from the minority can be the President of India, the Prime Minister of India or any other high-profile post. In total, 4 minority people have been the President of India. Delving into the creative field, people from minority groups like Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Yuvraj Singh have come forward and enjoyed equal rights as any other normal person. If we see our neighbouring country, in Pakistan minority people have to convert to Islam to get into any field.
India was also the first country in the world to set up a Minority Commission in 1978. The commission keeps a check that there is no sense of insecurity, inequality and discrimination in the minority group. Talking about the work done, the central government has initiated 15 schemes for minorities which included education, health, employment, loan facilities, etc. In total all Indians have 225 schemes whereas minorities have 240 schemes. BJP was never against minority instead it considers them a very important part of society.
What are the works done by the BJP for Sikh community or people of Punjab?
In 1955 Shiromani Akali and Congress were together. During the same year, Jawaharlal Nehru went to Sri Akal Takht Sahib and promised a few things to the people of Punjab. He promised the promotion of the Punjabi language, a place to enjoy freedom, but none was fulfilled.
Where from the time Narendra Modi has come to power various things have been done. Iqbal Singh Lalpura stated, “PM Modi doesn’t work for Sikhs, he has faith in Sikhism.” He has faith in Sikhism due to which he visited Patna Sahib before filing his nomination for upcoming elections. He has in total done 29 works which were for the betterment of the Punjab and Sikh communities.
What is your take on Amritpal Singh filing nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections?
There is no harm in him filing the nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. As per Iqbal Singh Lalpura, “Amritpal Singh’s nomination or even if he wins the election will not change any dynamics of Punjab. People will never approve of the state turning into Khalistan as they have already suffered a lot. Punjab has always been a part of India and nobody can change that fact.