📷 Image Credits: NDTV
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his concerns about the Congress party’s stance on reservations during the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In an exclusive interview with ANI, PM Modi accused the opposition parties of indulging in ‘vote bank politics’ and undermining the constitutional rights of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). He emphasized the importance of protecting these marginalized communities and their reservations.
PM Modi highlighted the opposition’s actions of converting educational institutions into minority institutions, leading to the loss of reservations for SC, ST, and OBC communities. He mentioned an instance in Delhi where Jamia Millia University was designated a minority institution, resulting in the impact on both admissions and jobs. PM Modi also criticized the Congress party’s manifesto ‘Nyay Patra,’ which proposed to raise the 50 per cent cap on reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs.
In response to the manifesto, PM Modi compared it to the approach of the Muslim League and raised concerns about the implications of allocating quotas for minorities in sports. He questioned the fairness of such policies that could potentially disadvantage hardworking individuals from various regions excelling in sports. The PM also addressed the issue of reserving government tenders for minorities, emphasizing the importance of awarding contracts based on merit, capabilities, and qualifications.
Furthermore, PM Modi condemned the opposition for recent incidents related to OBC certificates in Andhra Pradesh and the Calcutta High Court’s decision to cancel OBC certificates. He accused the opposition of manipulating laws to benefit minorities at the cost of OBC rights and criticized their disregard for judicial rulings. As the Lok Sabha elections progress, with six phases already completed, PM Modi remains steadfast in his commitment to safeguard the rights of the backward communities and uphold the principles of the Constitution.
