Centre to Issue Advisory to States on Racial Discrimination
BANGALORE: The Union government will soon issue advisory to state governments to deal with incidents of racial discrimination, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said here on Saturday.
Speaking at North-East Conclave organised by the BJP’s Samparka cell, Rijiju said the Centre was discussing the recommendations of the Bezbaruah Committee report and is likely to implement it. The committee was constituted in February to look into the concerns of people from the northeastern states residing in other parts of the country, especially in cities.
“The advisory will basically advice states on how to deal with racial discrimination sensitively. Governments have to act proactively in dealing with such issues because when incidents happen, and they do sometimes, and it is not dealt with properly, it sends a negative message back home,” he said.
More Interaction Needed
According to Rijiju, the need of the hour is for more interaction between people from the North-East and the rest of the country.
“Incidents are bound to happen and strict action is required... but the more necessary step is to ensure that there is awareness about the community and with regard to racism,” he said. Ultimately, this is what will prevent such crimes, he said.
He said as India is a large country and people cannot be blamed for lack of awareness about the North-East. “However, in order to prevent discrimination and crimes against them, we need to connect with each other and interact,” he said.
He said the Centre’s plan to connect all the capitals of the northeastern states by rail and connect every village there by road will connect people. He, however, said people from the North-East should not isolate themselves.
“We need to make ourselves known, our voices heard. There is no reason to fear and I take full responsibility for anything that happens to someone of my community,” he said.
Rijiju said while India still has a long way to go in improving its literacy rate, the northeastern states have a much more difficult task ahead.
He said this while answering a question on entrepreneurship opportunities for youngsters in the North-East. “Most people in the North-East depend on government jobs. What is lacking is talent and skill development and the Centre is working to address this,” he said.
IITs in N-E
He said the government’s decision to have one IIT in every state will mean that the North-East will get eight IITs. Also an AIIMS-like medical college and a Sports University will come up in Manipur and a National Institute of TV and Films will be set up in Arunachal Pradesh, he said.
Don’t Fear to Live in B’lore: DVS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team considers India as one and the division of states is purely for administrative purposes, said Railway Minister D V Sadananda Gowda. He said people need not fear to live in Bangalore. Talking about the exodus of people from the North-East, Gowda said, the then BJP state government took steps to rebuild confidence of people from the North-East.
“If there are lapses then we need more such meetings where we can sit and discuss problems. There may be some fear, but we assure you that we treat you as part of our own family,” Gowda said.