Guwahati, April 2: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said India can provide shelter to people with shared heritage if they seek refuge, but cannot accept those who enter illegally, warning that unchecked entry would turn the country into a “dharamshala” (charitable lodging).

Campaigning for BJP candidates in Assam, Gadkari stressed that unity in diversity is India’s essence and asserted that the party is not against any caste, religion, or language. He appeared to reference the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, saying persecuted minorities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains from neighboring countries deserve protection and voting rights, but “other foreigners” cannot be granted citizenship.

Listing infrastructure projects, Gadkari promised that Assam’s road network would resemble that of the United States within three years. He urged voters to trust the BJP for continued progress, highlighting poverty, unemployment, and hunger as issues that must be tackled through industrialisation, trade, and agriculture.

He also rejected claims that the BJP is communal, saying some groups were misleading voters. Gadkari argued that India’s secular nature stems from Hindu culture, which respects all religions, and insisted that true secularism means equal regard for every faith.

Criticising past policies, Gadkari said Jawaharlal Nehru’s socialist approach led the government to run industries, neglecting rural priorities. “The government’s job is not to run a business, but to administer and run the country,” he remarked, adding that India has no shortage of money but needs honest leadership.

Assembly elections in Assam will be held on April 9, with results to be declared on May 4.