Amid Congress criticism that the BJP might change the Constitution and scrap reservations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday pledged not to allow reservations for Dalits, Adivasis, and OBCs to be given to Muslims based on religion.
Speaking at an election rally in the Zaheerabad Lok Sabha constituency in Telangana, Modi accused the Congress of turning undivided Andhra Pradesh into a “laboratory of appeasement” when it was in power in 2004 and 2009 by granting reservations to Muslims as part of backward classes.
“As long as Modi is alive, I will not let reservations meant for Dalits, Adivasis, and OBCs be given to Muslims based on religion,” Modi said. He criticized the Congress for categorizing Muslims as OBC “overnight” while neglecting 26 castes in Telangana seeking OBC status.
Modi also alleged that Congress began insulting the Constitution from the start by removing depictions of the Ramayana and Mahabharata from the document drafted by B.R. Ambedkar.
In a veiled reference to Rahul Gandhi, Modi accused Indira Gandhi, Rahul’s grandmother, of crushing the Constitution and imposing emergency rule in India. He also criticized Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul’s father, for attempting to intimidate the media with legislation during his tenure as prime minister.
Further, Modi accused the Congress of attempting to provide quotas to Muslims through dishonest means to strengthen its vote bank.
Modi described the Constitution as a ‘dharm granth’ (spiritual text) for him to govern, and he recalled bowing while entering Parliament in 2014. He also criticized the Congress for its alleged disregard for the party’s Constitution, referencing Sitaram Kesri’s tenure as Congress president.
The Prime Minister announced plans to celebrate the Constitution’s 75th anniversary during his potential third term in office and to expose the “sins” of Congress across the country.
In a veiled attack on Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Modi alleged that funds raised through the “double R tax” in the state are being funneled to Delhi. He also criticized Congress for its handling of alleged scams, such as the ‘Kaleshwaram scam’ and the ‘cash-for-vote’ case, which involved Revanth Reddy.
Modi accused the Congress of planning to impose a 55% inheritance tax if it comes to power, a move that he claims would hinder India’s economic progress.
In his critique of the Congress, Modi listed five political symbols he associates with the party: false promises, vote bank politics, support for mafia and criminals, dynastic politics, and corruption.
