India will provide protection to persecuted minority: Pokhriyal

The BJP had declared its commitment in this regard in its poll manifesto. Those, who are creating ruckus protesting the Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) must reply as to why minority in Pakistan and Bangladesh was reduced drastically in the last 70 years, he asked.

The HRD Minister was addressing a program organized to mark the death anniversary of renowned journalist and nationalist thinker Manikchandra Vajpayee, popularly known as ‘Mamaji’, at Samanvay Bhavan here today. He was the chief guest of the function jointly organized by Shri Manikchandra Vajpayee Janmashati Samaroh Samiti, daily Swadesh and Vishwa Samvad Kendra.

Pointing at the figures of the minority people in neighboring countries, the Minister said that the population of minority people in Pakistan had been reduced to 3.7 percent from 23 percent of 1947. It is also reduced to 7.9 percent from 22 percent in Bangladesh. Whereas the minority population in India had increased from 8 percent to14.23 percent. This shows how the minorities are treated in India, he added.

Recalling the contribution of Shri Manikchandra Vajpayee, Pokhriyal said that Mamaji was the combination of a journalist, a teacher, and a Sangh Pracharak and had minute observation skills. He also advocated not to mix views in news and maintained fairness and objectivity in journalism. His principle of news writing is most relevant today.

The key speaker of the program, former MP and thinker Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that controversy over CAB and NRC has come up because of misinformation. Society became a victim of misinformation when it does not have a proper practice of study and research. He said Pt Deendayal Upadhyay had envisioned the structure of present BJP as a national party for creating space for alternating politics.

Chairman of the organizing committee and former Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki said that Mamaji was an inspiring figure and had no disparity in his doing and saying. He was a philosopher. Governor Lalji Tandon could not attend the program due to ill health and sent a message to the organizing committee, expressing his good wishes.

Veteran journalist Rajendra Sharma threw light on the program. Organizing Committee General Secretary Dr. Raghvendra Sharma, Swadesh Group editor Lajpat Ahuja, Shri Sakti Singh, Smt Aruna Sharma presented mementos to the guests.