With the Narendra Modi government having completed 11 years in power, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju discusses the performance of his ministry, the schemes and budgetary allocations, the Waqf (Amendment) Act, and the delay in disbursement of funds under the Maulana Azad National Fellowship. Excerpts:
In the last 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has championed the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’. Following this principle, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has adopted the mantra of ‘bhagidari se bhagyodaya (participation to good fortune)’ to a result-oriented and empowerment-driven framework focused on education, skilling, entrepreneurship, and inclusion. The approach has ensured that minority communities are active and equal participants in India’s growth story. The main point we have to understand is that minority communities are receiving more funds and support from the government than the majority community, the Hindus. Whatever the Hindus get, the minorities also do. But what the minorities get, the Hindus don’t.
Which schemes have performed well and where do you see room for improvement?
Some of our key schemes include the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), under which a total of 5.63 lakh infrastructure units were approved across sectors such as health, education, sanitation, and renewable energy in the last 11 years. We have also used geo-tagging and digital integration for the scheme, and 2.35 lakh units (51%) have been geo-tagged. Rs 10,749.65 crore has been spent on the scheme in the last 11 years. From 2023, the PMJVK is on a fully digital platform.
The overall disbursement of scholarships has increased by 172% in the last 10 years, and the number of women beneficiaries has increased by 182%. The ministry’s flagship scheme, Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS), has performed remarkably well. Over 9.25 lakh individuals were trained and empowered in the last 11 years. We have also undertaken the promotion of artisans and cultural heritage and have organised the “Lok Samvardhan Parv” to showcase and support minority artisans.
From zero-structured placements in 2014, we have moved to over 10 lakh skilled and placed individuals, particularly focusing on youth and educated women. The Hajj programme has also seen a transformation over the last decade. This year, for the first time, minimal health-related cases and deaths were reported from Saudi Arabia.
It is a big achievement for the ministry. India’s Haj quota has also increased from 1.36 lakh in 2014 to 1.75 lakh in 2025. The Ladies Without Mehram (LWM) category was introduced in Haj 2018 and expanded: 4,558 women performed Haj under the LWM category in 2024.
The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act was a major achievement for your ministry. How will the amended law benefit Muslims, and were Muslim organisations brought on board?
The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, and the operationalisation of the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Act, 1995, mark a historic reform bringing in transparency, better management and governance of Waqf properties in India. These steps are not just legal or administrative measures. Rather, they represent the Modi government’s deep and sincere commitment to ensuring transparency, justice, and empowerment for the Muslim community, particularly the poor, women, and the marginalised.
The ministry launched the UMEED Central Portal on June 6 as a statutory platform mandated for use by all Waqf Boards across the country. It will streamline the registration process of auqaf and automate the full lifecycle of a waqf, starting from registration.
Contrary to what some may claim, the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, underwent one of the most inclusive and rigorous consultative processes in recent legislative history. A Joint Committee of Parliament held 38 meetings, spread over 113 hours, to discuss the legislation. The committee engaged with 184 stakeholders, including 49 key Muslim organisations and five minority commissions. It received over 97 lakh representations via email and thoroughly considered relevant suggestions and concerns.
This proves that the government values dialogue, participation and consensus, especially when it comes to sensitive matters of community interest. The objective of this reform is not to centralise or control Waqf assets, but to digitally empower Waqf Boards with better tools for management and protection, stop illegal encroachments and misuse of waqf land through transparent mapping and ensure that the revenue generated from waqf properties is used efficiently as envisioned by waqf donors. The real beneficiaries of this reform will be ordinary Muslims.
Why was there a sharp dip in budgetary allocation for the education empowerment of minorities from Rs 1,575.72 crore last year to Rs 678.03 crore in the current Budget?
That is not cut down. The whole concept of funding has changed. Now, the Central government provides 60% and 40% has to be contributed by the state government. In the case of hill states and the Northeast, it is 90:10. Whatever support the Union government is giving, there is a rationalisation; earlier, whatever support was given was based on need, as a gap needed to be filled. Subsequently, whatever the demand is, that much will go. It is not that the budget is cut. The requirement is to be met by budgetary allocation. So, theoretically, you may see a budget cut, but it is not. It is as per the requirement. This is an overhaul of the entire scheme.
Some scholars have flagged that they have not received their stipends under the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) for the past few months.
I have also received the complaints. We are reviewing it. You have to understand the whole thing. There is a scholarship for minorities, and then there is a scholarship for SCs and STs. Three or four years ago, there was a huge bundling of funds. In the minority institutions, thousands of fake names were submitted and money was taken in the name of scholarships. Then, cases were registered in different states. The case is in its final stages. Because of that, there are certain rational approaches which are being done. Second, we have to ensure there is no duplication. Suppose one is a tribal, they can’t take the scholarship for minorities. Then, there are STs who are Christians and SCs who are professing Islam … That means you have to rationalise it. There were lakhs of cases where some agencies misused provisions in the name of students. Things are in better shape and they will be alright.