Introduction
As the nation gears up for the 7th and final phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has released a video advertisement on Wednesday, May 29, under the hashtag #MeraVoteMeraAdhikar. The ad highlights the BJP's allegations against the Congress, accusing it of tampering with the reservation system for Dalits, tribals, and backward classes to appease minority communities. The BJP emphasizes that the Congress has a history of reallocating reservations based on religious lines, aiming to expose what it describes as the Congress's track record of undermining the rights of these marginalized groups in favor of minority appeasement.
Screengrab from the ad shared by BJP on its X handle
About the Video Ad
In a 48-second video, the BJP vividly illustrates its claims against the Congress, alleging that the party has spread misinformation and incited fear among marginalized communities about SC/ST/OBC reservations. The BJP contends that Congress has systematically amended the Constitution to exclude SC/ST/OBC reservations from 'minority' institutions and has gradually encroached upon the OBC sub-quota over time.
The advertisement features young individuals expressing their frustrations, asserting that Congress has consistently opposed the progress of backward communities, neglected the legacy of Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar, and failed to deliver justice for tribals. They highlight Congress' lone stance against implementing SC/ST/OBC reservations in prominent government-run institutions like Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University.
Recalling the Congress' 2009 election manifesto, the video points out that the party took pride in initiating reservations for minorities in states like Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, specifically in government jobs and education. This move, they argue, was a strategic attempt to garner minority votes at the expense of SC/ST/OBC quotas.
Further, the video critiques the Congress' efforts in Andhra Pradesh under YS Rajashekar Reddy's leadership. After assuming power in 2004, the Congress sought to allocate reservations for Muslims from the SC/ST quota. Despite repeated attempts, they were unable to implement this policy successfully. Congress later tried to extend this reservation strategy nationwide in 2011.
The advertisement also underscores how, in 2015, the Congress administration in Andhra Pradesh made five attempts to extend SC/ST reservations to the Muslim community, only to be thwarted by the Andhra Pradesh High Court. By exposing these controversial moves, the video aims to inform voters of the Congress' tactics and urges them to exercise their voting rights wisely in the ongoing elections.
PM Modi Attacked I.N.D.I. Alliance over Reservation Issue
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a public meeting in Ghosi, Purvanchal, on Sunday, May 26, 2024, claimed that the INDIA bloc parties intend to rewrite the Constitution to provide reservations based on religion, alleging that they aim to turn the country's majority community into second-class citizens. Modi accused the opposition grouping of planning to eliminate the reservations currently given to SC, ST, and OBC communities and redistribute them entirely to Muslims. He further alleged that the INDIA parties are attempting to incite caste conflicts, making different castes fight among themselves.
PM Modi’s Comments
"First, the people of INDI alliance will change the Constitution and write in it afresh that reservation should be given on the basis of religion in India. Second, these INDI people will end the reservation given to SC, ST, OBC. Third, they will give the entire reservation to Muslims on the basis of religion."
He said, "A third method has been created to circumvent the OBC reservation. They are declaring Muslim castes as OBC overnight. Recently, the Calcutta High Court has rejected OBC reservation for 77 Muslim castes."
The PM went on add, "Today, the SP, Congress and INDI people want to make the majority community in India second-class citizens."
"The families of SP and Congress had their dynastic mindset turn Purvanchal into a region of mafia, poverty and helplessness," he said.
Referring to the SP and Congress' previous manifestos, Modi said, "In 2012 (assembly polls), the SP had clearly written in its manifesto that the reservation that Babasaheb gave to Dalits, similar reservation will be given to Muslims."
Modi further claimed the Congress declared educational establishments as minority institutions and gave reservation to Muslims there.
"Before 2014, the Congress changed the law overnight to declare schools, colleges and universities as minority institutions. They declared thousands of educational institutions as minority institutions. Earlier, the reservation SC, ST and OBC students were getting there was completely ended and Muslims got reservation."
"What can be a bigger betrayal than this of the sons and daughters of Dalits, backward tribals?"
The entire world is watching the ongoing general elections in India, he said, adding the more powerful government India elects, the more powerful prime minister it gets, and its echo will be heard in every country of the world.
Religion-based reservation will not be allowed till BJP in power: JP Nadda
Recently, BJP President JP Nadda reaffirmed the party’s commitment to safeguarding reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes against any attempts by rival factions, such as the Congress, to reallocate them based on religious criteria. Nadda emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the BJP will ensure that reservations remain unaffected by religion. Echoing this stance, senior BJP leader Amit Shah addressed concerns about the Congress's alleged plans to diminish OBC reservations in favor of Muslims if they come into power.
On Sunday, April 28th, Home Minister Amit Shah criticized Rahul Gandhi and the Congress for spreading baseless accusations. Responding to Congress's claims that the BJP would abolish reservations if re-elected, Shah argued that the BJP’s decade-long tenure with a clear majority would have already seen such actions if they were intended. He further highlighted that the Congress disseminated false information using a doctored video of him. Shah underscored the BJP's consistent support for reservations and accused the Congress of misleading the public with unfounded allegations.
In debunking these falsehoods, Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the Congress's historical attempts to manipulate reservation policies, diverting them from SC/ST/OBC communities towards Muslims.
Congress Govt will Increase Reservation Beyond 50% Says Rahul Gandhi
Recently, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced that if his party wins the 2024 Lok Sabha Election, they will expand the reservation quota beyond the current 50 percent cap. The Congress manifesto for the election pledges to enact a constitutional amendment to increase reservations for SC, ST, and OBC categories beyond the 50 percent limit. Additionally, the party commits to ensuring a 10 percent reservation in jobs and educational institutions for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) across all castes and communities, aiming to provide broader and more inclusive support for marginalized groups.
Reservation issue in Lok Sabha 2024: What BJP offers?
Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) will persist as long as the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi remain in power. Shah underscored that Muslim reservation is not in accordance with the Constitution and vowed that if the BJP wins in Telangana, it will abolish Muslim reservations and instead allocate quotas for SCs, STs, and OBCs. He also highlighted the BJP's commitment to empowering women through the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which will provide reservations for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
In its manifesto, the BJP pledged to ensure adequate representation of SCs, STs, and OBCs in district-level committees to effectively implement welfare schemes at the grassroots level. The party also promised to enhance livelihood opportunities by doubling the MUDRA loan limit to ₹20 lakh and expanding existing scholarships for meritorious students to ensure no student from OBC, SC, and ST families is deprived of higher education.
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