Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi: All You Need To Know About Possible LG Of J&K
Amid the increasing security tensions in the valley due to the recent target killings, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi is likely to be appointed as the new lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir, according to the sources.
BJP veteran Naqvi is Union Minister of Minority Affairs. He is a member of the Rajya Sabha and Deputy Leader of the House. He will be the first Muslim LG of Jammu and Kashmir if appointed.
To know more about the leader, here are some fascinating facts about his life:
Early life
Having grown up in a devout family in Allahabad, in the village of Bhadari, Uttar Pradesh, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was attracted to social movements and has been a member of the Sampoorna Kranti movement, which was launched by Loknayak during the emergency at the age of 17 years.
His educational background in mass communication led him to become one of the best communicators and opinion leaders in the nation, and he regularly wrote about sociocultural issues prevalent in the country. Through his writings, he brought to light prevalent issues in society.
His political voyage
He contested for the assembly of Uttar Pradesh in 1980 as a candidate for the Janata Party, but the election turned out to be unsuccessful. Later, in the 1980 Lok Sabha elections in the Ayodhya constituency, he stood up as an independent candidate.
A well-known Muslim leader who has contributed to the pro-Hindutva BJP was elected to the Lok Sabha from Uttar Pradesh's Rampur seat in 1998.
Over the course of his political career, he has been a member of various committees responsible for implementing laws and policies: the Committee on Finance, the Committee on Commerce, the Joint Committee on Wakf Boards, and the Committee on Information Technology.
Key posts
In 1998, he was elected to the Lok Sabha and was assigned the post of minister of state for the Ministry of Information and broadcasting during the reign of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
He was elected as an MP of the Rajya Sabha for Uttar Pradesh from 2010 to 2016. Later, he was appointed as Minister of State for Minority Affairs in 2016. He again took his oath in 2019 and continued serving in the Minority Affairs Ministry. Furthermore, he was a member of the party's central election committee and in charge of the BJP's organisation.
Views on the BJP’s secularism and PM Narendra Modi
Naqvi said PM Narendra Modi receives a lot of support from Muslims as he embodies the principles of constitutional secularism and thus serves as the most secular leader in the country. Contrary to other parties that perceive secularism as a vote-stealing device, the BJP views it as a driving force for inclusive development.
A remark on the Triple Talaq case
After commemorating two years of the Muslim Women's Protection of Rights on Marriage Act, Naqvi has asserted that there has been a declination in the triple talaq cases by almost 80 per cent. "More than 3,500 Muslim women have visited Hajj without a mahram." Every year on Women's Day, they honour the spirit and struggle of Muslim women throughout the country.
Reflection on minority classes
Naqvi argued that minorities in Pakistan are separated by social affiliation, education, and religion, while in India, minorities are entitled to rights, dignity, and prosperity. Minority communities benefit equally from educational institutions and other facilities.
Providing equal opportunities
To promote minority education, he provided scholarships to several students. This reduces the dropout rate and promotes female education, according to the data. The scholarships were worth Rs. 4740 crore.
Moreover, the department has been closely working with the state governments on setting up educational infrastructures like residential schools, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Kendriya Vidyalayas, school buildings, hostels, degree colleges, ITIs, polytechnics, common service centres, health hubs, and hostels for working women.
Digitalisation
Due to his mantra of "reform, perform, and transform" for the weaker sections, India has become the first country where the entire Hajj process can be done digitally and online.
In addition, he dispelled the myth that Hajj pilgrims are dependent on subsidies. Furthermore, he removed the restriction on women going to Hajj without a mahram and enabled thousands of women who could not go before.
Also, to the 100 per cent digitalisation of Waqf properties, 100 per cent central funding has also been made available for social-economic education projects, which has opened the door for investments, utilisation, and development of Waqf properties on a national scale.
A sustainable livelihood for artisans
Under his leadership project "Hunar Haat" was started to empower India's artisans and craftsmen by providing them with access to incredible job opportunities. Thousands of livelihoods have been created within a short period of 3 years, putting Indian craftsmen and artisans on the map.
