Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the Congress party in the Lok Sabha for consistently opposing caste-based census and reservations for Other Backwards Classes (OBCs). Shah highlighted that the Congress has historically been against these measures, never appointing an OBC leader as Prime Minister during its governance. He emphasized the significance of an OBC leader heading the country, which only happened after PM Modi took office.
Shah cited instances from Congress’s rule, such as Indira Gandhi putting the Mandal Commission recommendations on hold in 1980 and Rajiv Gandhi opposing OBC reservation in a speech in 1990. Contrasting the Congress’s focus on winning elections, Shah stated that the current government prioritizes the representation and genuine participation of all citizens in governance. He positioned the BJP-led government as a champion of backward class empowerment.
Amid debates on the Women’s Reservation Bill and delimitation proposals, Shah’s remarks intensified the discussion on social justice, caste enumeration, and reservation policies. He underscored the government’s commitment to inclusive representation over electoral considerations, setting a confrontational tone and prompting the Congress to defend its historical stance on OBC issues.
