During an interview with India TV, Prime Minister Modi criticized the Congress for secretly removing reservation for marginalized communities in 9,000 institutions. He called out the party for indulging in corruption and questioned their manifesto which did not mention it. PM Modi also brought attention to the Congress declaring Jamia Millia Islamia as a minority institution, thereby removing SC, ST, OBC reservations.
Congress Accused of Removing Reservations for Marginalized Communities
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused the Indian National Congress (INC) of secretly removing reservations for marginalized communities in 9,000 institutions. During an interview with India TV, Modi criticized the party for indulging in corruption and questioned their manifesto, which did not mention the issue.
Modi also brought attention to the INC's decision to declare Jamia Millia Islamia as a minority institution, thereby removing reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). He called this move an attempt to appease a particular community.
The INC has denied these allegations, stating that there is no evidence to support them. However, the issue has sparked a debate about the party's commitment to social justice.
Background
Reservations for marginalized communities have been a part of Indian law since the country's independence in 1947. The Constitution of India mandates that a certain percentage of government jobs and educational institutions be reserved for members of SCs, STs, and OBCs. These reservations are intended to address the historical discrimination and systemic exclusion faced by these communities.
The INC has a long history of supporting reservations for marginalized communities. However, in recent years, the party has been criticized for its alleged inaction on this issue. In 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that the 10% reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS) in government jobs and educational institutions was unconstitutional. The INC supported this ruling, which was seen as a setback for social justice advocates.
FAQs
Modi has not provided any specific evidence to support his claims. However, he has pointed to the INC's decision to declare Jamia Millia Islamia as a minority institution as an example of the party's alleged disregard for reservations for marginalized communities.
The INC has denied Modi's allegations, stating that there is no evidence to support them. The party has also accused Modi of trying to polarize voters ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Modi's allegations could damage the INC's reputation among marginalized communities, who may see the party as being less committed to their interests. This could cost the INC votes in the 2024 general elections.
The decision to declare Jamia Millia Islamia as a minority institution means that the university will no longer be subject to reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs. This has sparked concerns that other minority institutions could also be exempted from reservations in the future.
The future of reservation in India is uncertain. The Supreme Court has ruled that reservations cannot exceed 50%, and there is a growing movement to abolish reservations altogether. However, marginalized communities continue to face discrimination and systemic exclusion, and many argue that reservations are still necessary to address these issues.
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