Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, accusing it of reducing the quota for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Karnataka by including Muslim castes in the same category. He asserted that this move is part of a larger plan by Congress to extend this practice across the country. Addressing an election rally in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh, Modi labeled Congress as the “biggest enemy of the OBCs” and denounced its past decisions to provide reservations based on religion, which he emphasized is not permitted under India’s Constitution. “Once again, Congress has resorted to underhanded tactics in Karnataka by grouping all Muslim castes with OBCs and providing reservations on the basis of religion. This action has unjustly deprived the OBC community of a substantial portion of their reservations. Congress is playing a dangerous game that threatens the future of the OBCs; it is their sworn enemy,” he declared.
Modi went on to criticize Congress’s decision in 2004 to provide reservations based on religion, which he characterized as a betrayal of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. “Our Constitution explicitly prohibits reservations based on religion. Ambedkar himself vehemently opposed such a policy. However, years ago, Congress made a perilous resolution to grant reservations on the basis of religion, and they have been employing various strategies to carry out that resolution,” he said.
According to Modi, Congress employed an illegal tactic in Karnataka to implement such a quota. “All castes of Muslims have been incorporated into the OBC quota. By doing so, the substantial rights granted to OBCs have been snatched away and bestowed upon others based on their religion,” he stated. He further alleged that Congress intends to implement this same model throughout the nation.
Modi continued his tirade against Congress, accusing it of betraying social justice, violating the spirit of the Constitution, and disrespecting Ambedkar. He also criticized Congress for its alleged plans to impose inheritance tax on ancestral wealth, a move he described as an assault on inherited assets.
In contrast to the alleged mismanagement of Madhya Pradesh under Congress rule, Modi highlighted the state’s progress since the BJP came to power. He asserted that Madhya Pradesh, once known as a “Bimaru” (ailing) state, has witnessed significant development under BJP leadership.
