Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the BJP government of President Droupadi Murmu and former President Ram Nath Kovind of being subjected to discrimination and humiliation because they belong to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe. Kharge also dismissed Prime Minister Modi's campaign promise of winning over 400 seats in the upcoming elections and stating that his desire for a third term in office will not be realized.
Discrimination and Humiliation Faced by Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Presidents, Alleges Kharge
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has alleged that the BJP government has subjected President Droupadi Murmu and former President Ram Nath Kovind to discrimination and humiliation due to their Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe identities.
Background
President Droupadi Murmu, India's first tribal president, has faced criticism from some quarters for her alleged proximity to the BJP. Her perceived bias has raised concerns about the independence of her office.
Similarly, former President Ram Nath Kovind, who belonged to the Dalit community, was also criticized for allegedly being a rubber stamp for the government. His bid for a second term was not supported by the BJP.
Kharge's Accusations
In a recent speech, Kharge accused the BJP of treating President Murmu and former President Kovind with disrespect. He cited instances such as:
BJP's Response
The BJP has dismissed Kharge's allegations as baseless and politically motivated. Party spokesperson Sambit Patra accused Kharge of "dividing the society on caste lines."
Political Implications
Kharge's allegations come ahead of the 2024 general elections. The Congress is likely to use the issue to target the BJP's record on Dalit and tribal welfare.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What is the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) status? A: SC/ST status is given to historically disadvantaged communities in India to provide them with special protection and benefits in education, employment, and other areas.
2. What are the allegations made by Mallikarjun Kharge? A: Kharge has alleged that President Murmu and former President Kovind have faced discrimination and humiliation due to their SC/ST identities.
3. What is the BJP's response to these allegations? A: The BJP has dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
4. What is the significance of these allegations? A: The allegations raise concerns about the independence of the presidency and the treatment of marginalized communities in India.
5. What impact could these allegations have on the 2024 elections? A: The Congress is likely to use the allegations to target the BJP's record on Dalit and tribal welfare, potentially swaying votes in its favor.
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