Patna: Taking a dig at the "show-off measures" adopted by various political parties to appease the Muslims in Bihar, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Najma Heptullah on Thursday said the leaders "just wore caps but did not keep the respect of those caps".
"These political leaders did not practise honesty with the Muslims. They just wore their caps and indulged in show-off measures but they did not keep the respect of those caps. Otherwise, the Muslims in Bihar would not have been so backward," Heptullah said.
The Union Minister was speaking at the state BJP headquarters in Patna. She said that the Muslims here do not need caps but "need employment and food".
Najma said more and more Muslims were joining with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP after realising that "those who wore their caps, were the ones who cheated them."
In an apparent dig at the ruling JD(U) and its allies RJD and Congress, Heptullah said, "Talking sweet things, having tea and food with the Muslims is okay. But the political leaders who indulge in such things should also keep their promises made to the minorities."
Hitting out at the Bihar government over clash between two communities at Ajizpur village in Muzaffarpur, she said "law and order and protecting the lives of people is the responsibility of the state government and the state government has failed in it."
Heptullah said she is proud to be a Muslim and wanted to tell everybody that only Narendra Modi has not shown any difference in his intent and action.
"Modi has expressed anguish that the Muslims did not get their due rights to food, clothes, employment even after 67 years of Independence and has called for 'all-inclusive development' of the country," she said.
Heptullah said Modi wanted the Muslims to have Quran in one hand and computer in another. The minister said she is on an all-India tour to provide information about the development schemes initiated by the Centre for the uplift of the minority communities.
"Our focus is on education and skill development among the minority youth. If they have pen and implements in their hands, there will be no space to hold weapons. We want them to stand on their own feet," the Union Minister said.
State BJP President Mangal Pandey, who was also present at the party headquarters here, said Modi and Heptullah are continuously working for the socio-economic and educational uplift of the minorities and her coming to Bihar will see the implementation of welfare schemes launched by the central government for their prosperity.
Abdul Rashid Ansari, national president of BJP minorities front, Lok Sabha MP Rama Devi and MLC Sanjay Mayuk were also present on the occasion.
