Chamba: Kiren Rijiju calls for minority outreach, highlights inclusive governance

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Sunday asserted that the BJP-led government under Narendra Modi has never discriminated against citizens on the basis of caste, region or religion, and urged minority communities to extend their support to the party.

Addressing a public gathering at Churah in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district, Rijiju said the government’s policies have been inclusive and development-oriented. He pointed out that significant improvements have been made in facilitating Haj pilgrimage to Mecca, ensuring better services and support for members of the minority community.

Clarifying that his visit was part of a government programme and not an election rally, Rijiju noted that he had been informed that a sizeable section of the local population belongs to minority communities but does not traditionally support the BJP. He said such perceptions should change, as the party remains committed to working for every section of society without bias.

The minister credited former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for initiating rural road construction across the country and said the present government has expanded that vision. Under the Modi administration, he said, efforts have been intensified to ensure access to clean drinking water, banking services, healthcare and livelihood opportunities even in the most remote regions.

Rijiju highlighted ongoing efforts to connect the remote and tribal region of Pangi with the mainstream so that development benefits reach every household. He also laid the foundation stone for an indoor stadium in Saluni and later for a Rs 7 crore indoor stadium and a Rs 1 crore Government Industrial Training Institute at Bhanjradu under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Yojana. Kangra MP Rajeev Bhardwaj was present on the occasion.

Referring to infrastructure expansion under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Rijiju said inaccessible areas are steadily being linked by roads, while parallel investments are being made in education and health infrastructure.

He also underlined Chamba’s tourism potential, encouraging residents to explore homestays and hospitality ventures. Drawing a comparison, Rijiju remarked that while parts of Himachal like Shimla were developed during British rule, his home state of Arunachal Pradesh lacked basic infrastructure for decades. Real progress in his constituency, he said, accelerated only in recent years.