Frustrated elements disturbing harmony, says Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

Mumbai: Joining the BJP chorus against returning of awards by cultural personalities over rising intolerance, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Tuesday said some "frustrated feudalists" were spreading misinformation to disturb atmosphere of communal harmony and the pace of inclusive development.

"Some frustrated feudalists are trying to disturb communal harmony and unity of the country in the name of intolerance," he said, during a meeting with members of film producers' guild, writers and other artists.

He said those indulging in this politics were the "traditional-professional opponents" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.

"Mentality of doing politics in the name of fabricated intolerance is a conspiracy to destroy atmosphere of harmony and development in the country," said Naqvi, who is Minister of State for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs. Stressing that the Narendra Modi government was committed to development and unity of the country, Naqvi said, no destructive agenda can dominate this development agenda.

The government had been moving forward on path of inclusive development but unfortunately some disappointed people, who wanted failure of the Modi government for the last several months, were creating issues out of non-issue, he said.

These issues were far away from the ground reality.

Members of film community, artists, writers and others should understand the ground reality that the country is moving ahead on the development path under the Modi government, he said. Development and harmony were moving ahead together in the country, Naqvi said.

Despite international economic crisis, Indian economy was strong and stable due to honesty, effective functioning and performance of the Modi government, the BJP leader said. Some vested interests were unable to digest this and they were trying to create such a fake environment in the name of intolerance and trying to spread misinformation across the world that India's harmony and unity were in danger, he said.

Those doing politics in the name of intolerance were the "traditional-professional opponents" of Modi and the BJP who always saw negative in the place of positive and destruction in the place of development, Naqvi said.

The film community and artists have always actively contributed in the nation's development and unity, the minister said.

"I hope that this time also these intellectuals will defeat the agenda of politically motivated and fabricated intolerance by some people," he said.

Every step of the Modi Government was being taken for welfare of farmers, women, youth, dalits and minorities, he said. "We want cooperation of all sections to strengthen these steps."

Political, social and economic rights of all sections were absolutely safe under the Modi government and some unfortunate incidents can not disturb peace, harmony and unity of the country, the minister said.

Noted film director-producer Mukesh Bhatt said there was a need to work unitedly to protect harmony in the country. "If there is any mis-perception or mis-information, it should be tackled. It is our duty to ensure that there is no effect on the country's image at global level," Bhatt said.

Film producer Sajid Nadiadwala, Fox cinema's Vijay Singh, director-producer Dheeraj Kumar and IMPPA vice-President Nitin Mawani were among those present at the meeting.

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