Modi's Pasmanda Outreach: PM Pledges More Health, Education Welfare Schemes For Muslims In Telangana

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his hectic election campaign in Telangana with a roadshow in Hyderabad on Monday (27 November).

Before wrapping up, he met with Muslim minority leaders in Karimnagar, where he had previously addressed a public meeting in support of party candidate Bandi Sanjay, the former state unit chief.

The focus of Modi's outreach was on Pasmanda Muslims, considered the most backward and socially oppressed in the community as reported by TOI.

During the impromptu meeting at the helipad near the public meeting venue in Karimnagar town, the Prime Minister assured the Muslim leaders that his government would introduce more welfare schemes for Muslims in the education and health sectors based on the recommendations of the Sachar Committee.

Modi highlighted the need to communicate information about scholarships provided to minority students and emphasised prioritizing Pasmanda Muslims in outreach programs.

In an effort to dispel the notion of discrimination, Modi urged the leaders to convey that his government does not discriminate against Muslims while extending the benefits of welfare schemes.

This outreach aligns with Modi's call to BJP leaders during the national executive committee meeting in Hyderabad to focus on Pasmanda Muslims and work towards their upliftment.

It's noteworthy that Modi's assurance comes shortly after Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statements in Telangana, where he indicated the party's intention to scrap 4 per cent Muslim reservations and redirect the benefits to SCs, STs, and BCs if the BJP comes to power.

Despite such statements, Muslim leaders expressed their belief in Modi's outreach.

The BJP's candidate in Karimnagar, Bandi Sanjay, known as the 'poster boy' of the Hindutva card, also engaged with minority community leaders during this period.