New Delhi: In a concerted bid to shed the anti-minorities image of the party as well as its PM candidate Narendra Modi, the BJP has promised the minority community a “peaceful and secure environment” in it poll document.
The manifesto, unveiled here on Monday, said that there would be an environment “where there is no place for either the perpetrators or exploiters of fear”.
The party also promised a slew of measures for the betterment of the minority community though in substantive terms, they do not appear to amount to much.
Laying emphasis on a “modern India” that “must be a nation of equal opportunities,” the manifesto declared that the party is “committed to ensure that all communities are equal partners in India's progress.”
Referring in particular to the Muslims, the manifesto said members of this community in particular “continue to be stymied in poverty.”
The madrassa modernisation programme that the party has promised is merely an attempt to sell old wine in new bottles. For, this same programme, called Area Intensive Madrassa Modernisation Programmme (AIMMP) was there during the BJP-led NDA government’s 1999-2004 tenure too.
Both the UPA-I and UPA-II governments too tried to push ahead with this programme meant to include modern subjects like maths and science in madrassa curriculum, but faced with stiff resistance from Muslim leaders and clerics. UPA-II was forced to shelve this plan.
Also part of the BJP’s poll promises is the facilitation of an inter-faith consultative mechanism and empowerment of Waqf boards and removal of encroachments from unauthorised occupation of Waqf properties.
Seeks to revive National Security Council
The BJP has found its alternative to the failed National Counter-Terrorism Centre envisaged by the UPA, and decided to revive and reform the National Security Cou-ncil to make it the hub of all sector-related intelligence assessments and real-time intelligence dissemination. In its manifesto the BJP has stressed on “zero tolerance on terrorism” and reviving the “anti-terror mechanism dismantled by the Congress.” The BJP has stressed on “insulating intelligence agencies from political intervention and interference” and tried to keep the states on board while outlining its roadmap to counter terror threats.
New twist to Uniform Civil Code
Giving a new twist to its core ideology, the BJP in its manifesto has linked gender equality with that of ‘Uniform Civil Code.’ The BJP has, since its inception, has repeatedly made this a poll issue elections after elections. Giving a new spin this time the party in its manifesto has said, “Article 44 of the Constitution lists Uniform Civil Code as one of the Directive Principles of state policy. BJP believes that there cannot be gender equality till such time India adopts a Uniform Civil Code, which protects the rights of all women.”
Sells Bullet Train dream to the masses
India’s elusive bullet train dream has figured in BJP’s manifesto even though the railways struggles to move beyond feasibility studies for high speed rail system. The BJP promised to work on “Diamond Quadrilateral Project” to connect major destinations in all the zones of the country. It has also promised in its manifesto to establish “Agri Rail network,” with wagons designed to cater to the needs of perishable agricultural products.
Centre-state ties on even keel
With India being a “Union of States” as per the Constitutional scheme, the Congress has long been in the habit of centralising power in favour of Centre.
Countering this, BJP in its manifesto talked about “Team India”, which was propounded by its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, which is essentially a team of the PM and the CMs.
As Mr Modi has been mentioning this in almost each of his election rallies, it was expected that such a scheme of thing would certainly get reflected in the manifesto. Elaborating the co-ncept, BJP in its manifesto said, the genuine grievances of every st-ate will be addressed and it will place Centre-State relations on an even keel via consultation.
