Religious Quotas Congress : In a fiery speech at an election rally in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, accusing it of undermining the OBC (Other Backward Classes) community’s rights by allegedly offering religious-based reservations. The event, which took place on April 24, 2024, highlighted a deep-seated controversy involving reservation policies and their alignment with the Indian Constitution.
PM Modi Warns Against Religious Quotas: Congress Under Fire
Controversial Reservation Policies
The Prime Minister claimed that the Congress party had, in a move in Karnataka, categorized Muslim castes within the same quota as the OBCs, effectively reducing the reservation percentage available to the traditional OBC groups. He argued that this practice was not only divisive but also unconstitutional, referencing the Constitution’s stance against reservation based on religion.
“Once again, Congress has given reservation on the basis of religion in Karnataka through the backdoor by putting all Muslim castes along with the OBCs. By doing so, it has snatched a big chunk of reservation from the OBC community,” PM Modi asserted, framing these actions as a betrayal of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s vision, who was a pivotal figure in drafting the Indian Constitution.
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Historical Context and Allegations
This is not the first instance, PM Modi claimed, where Congress has ventured into the contentious territory of religion-based quotas. He pointed out that back in 2004, Congress implemented a similar policy, which he described as a stab in the back to Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy. According to him, Ambedkar himself was opposed to any form of reservation on the basis of religion, making Congress’s actions a direct contradiction to his principles.
“Our Constitution clearly says that no one will be given reservation on the basis of religion. Babasaheb Ambedkar himself was against reservation on the basis of religion. But Congress made a dangerous resolution of (providing) reservation on the basis of religion years ago. It is adopting various tactics to fulfill the resolution,” PM Modi elaborated.
Broader Political Implications
The Prime Minister also criticized the Congress for its alleged plans to introduce an inheritance tax, which he described as a tax on the wealth saved by ancestors, suggesting it would be another blow to the citizens by the party. Furthermore, he credited the BJP’s governance as the turning point for Madhya Pradesh, which he claimed had transformed from a ‘Bimaru’ or backward state under Congress rule to a developing one under the BJP.
Electoral Strategy and Public Response
PM Modi’s remarks come at a critical time as Madhya Pradesh gears up for upcoming elections. His focus on reservation policies is seen as an attempt to consolidate the OBC vote bank, which is significant in the region. The response at the rally was fervent, with large crowds showing support for Modi’s statements against the Congress’s policies.
Conclusion : Religious Quotas Congress
As the political atmosphere heats up in Madhya Pradesh, the issue of reservation based on religion remains a hot-button topic. PM Modi’s outright rejection of such policies, citing constitutional principles and the legacy of Ambedkar, positions the BJP distinctly against Congress in what appears to be an increasingly polarized electoral battle. With the stakes high, both parties continue to vie for the support of the diverse voter base in the state, making reservation policies a central theme in their political strategies.
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FAQ’s : Religious Quotas Congress
- What did PM Modi accuse Congress of during his speech in Madhya Pradesh?
- PM Modi accused Congress of reducing the quota for OBCs in Karnataka by including Muslim castes in the same category, thereby planning to replicate this strategy nationwide.
- When did Congress provide reservation based on religion, according to PM Modi?
- According to PM Modi, Congress provided reservation based on religion in 2004, which he criticized as going against the principles of the Constitution and the vision of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.
- What does PM Modi believe will be the consequences of quota based on religion?
- PM Modi believes that providing quota based on religion will destroy future generations and is against the principles of social justice and the Constitution.
- What did PM Modi accuse Congress of regarding inheritance tax?
- PM Modi accused Congress of planning to impose inheritance tax on the wealth saved by one’s ancestors, which he criticized as detrimental to economic growth and prosperity.
- How did PM Modi describe Congress’s role in the development of Madhya Pradesh?
- PM Modi described Congress as the reason for Madhya Pradesh’s backwardness, referring to it as a “Bimaru” state during Congress rule, contrasting it with the progress made under BJP governance.