Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has strongly defended India’s record on minority safety, asserting that no place in the world is safer for minorities than India. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Kiren Rijiju countered claims that minorities in India feel unsafe. He emphasized that the majority community in India is inherently secular, ensuring a secure environment for all, including minuscule communities like the Parsis. His remarks came after a 12-hour-long debate on the bill, which has sparked significant discussion on the status and rights of religious minorities in India.
Kiren Rijiju categorically dismissed allegations that minorities face persecution in India, labeling such statements as “completely false.” He pointed out that India has historically been a refuge for persecuted minorities from neighboring countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. He cited the example of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community, who sought asylum in India after facing repression. Rijiju argued that if India were unsafe for minorities, persecuted groups from other countries would not seek refuge within its borders.
Expanding on his argument, the minister criticized comparisons with nations like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, where religious minorities have faced systemic discrimination and violence. “Minorities in India live with pride and dignity. The majority in India is secular and inclusive, which is not the case in our neighboring countries,” he stated. He further accused opposition members of spreading misinformation and said that future generations would not forgive such misleading narratives.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aims to streamline and expedite dispute resolutions related to waqf properties, a longstanding issue affecting many communities. Kiren Rijiju assured that the bill would ensure justice for widows, divorcees, and orphans involved in waqf property disputes. He also highlighted the strong support from the Christian community for the bill, underscoring its broad-based appeal.
Additionally, Kiren Rijiju stressed the NDA government’s commitment to unifying minorities and ensuring their welfare through policy measures. He maintained that the proposed amendments would strengthen the waqf tribunals and address the backlog of pending cases efficiently. “Justice delayed is justice denied, and this bill seeks to rectify that,” he affirmed.
The debate surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, reflects broader concerns about minority rights, governance, and legal frameworks in India. While opposition voices continue to raise apprehensions, the government remains firm in its stance that India’s secular fabric ensures unparalleled safety and dignity for its minority communities.
