Congress’s Rahul Gandhi, amid a torrent of criticism over remarks that have been perceived as anti-reservation, issued a clarification today, saying his party would “take reservation beyond the limit of 50 per cent”. “Yesterday someone misrepresented my statement that I am against reservation. But let me make it clear – I am not against reservation. We will take reservation beyond the limit of 50 per cent,” he said during an interview at the National Press Club in the US.

The comment that sparked controversy was made during an interaction with the students and the faculty of Georgetown University in Washington DC yesterday.

The Congress will “think of ending reservation when India is a fair place,” he said, and added, India is not a fair place at the moment
“The elephant in the room is that 90 per cent of India — OBCs, Dalits and Adivasis don’t play the game,” Mr Gandhi had said.

“Caste census is a simple exercise to know how the lower castes, backward castes and Dalits are integrated into the system…Out of the top 200 businesses in India, there is almost no ownership of 90 per cent of the population of India. In the highest courts of the country, there is almost no participation of 90 per cent of India. In media, there is zero participation of lower castes, OBCs, Dalits,” he said.

Then, explaining the idea behind the caste census, he said, “We want to understand what their social and financial position looks like…We also want to look at the Indian institutions to have a sense of India’s participation in these institutions.”

But Mr Gandhi’s comments on this and other issues had stirred a hornet’s nest back home, with the BJP accusing him of habitually making anti-national remarks abroad. This, the party said, is a more serious issue now that he is the Leader of the Opposition.

“Rahul Gandhi’s statement lays bare the Congress’s politics of causing rifts on the lines of regionalism, religion, and linguistic differences,” said Union minister Amit Shah.

“By speaking about abolishing reservations in the country, Rahul Gandhi has once again brought the Congress’s anti-reservation face to the forefront. The thoughts that were in his mind eventually found their way out as words,” he added.

“Rahul Gandhi’s statement lays bare the Congress’s politics of causing rifts on the lines of regionalism, religion, and linguistic differences. By speaking about abolishing reservations in the country, Rahul Gandhi has once again brought the Congress’s anti-reservation face to the forefront. The thoughts that were in his mind eventually found their way out as words,” he added.
 

Jaipur:

Almost a month after quitting the ministerial post, Rajasthan BJP leader Kirodi Lal Meena has said he resigned from the state cabinet because the people whom he served for 45 years did not listen to him.

He made the remark on Friday at an event on the occasion of the World Tribal Day in Dausa.

Mr Meena also rubbished the claims that the reservation system would be scrapped, saying he will not allow anyone to tamper with it. “I promise you that I will remain dedicated to my society on this matter,” he added.

About the Supreme Court’s recent observation on the “creamy layer” for SCs and STs, Meena said, “Read and understand the Supreme Court’s decision. The court wants to implement the creamy layer system because people are enjoying the ‘cream’ despite taking advantage of reservations. In such a situation, our own deprived brothers should also get the right to reservation.”

“People will come to mislead you, be cautious of them. I assure you to protect your rights. I will not let you suffer any loss,” he told people gathered at the event.

Mr Meena had resigned from the ministerial post last month, citing his poll-time “undertaking” to quit if he fails to ensure his party’s victory in any of the seven Lok Sabha seats in eastern Rajasthan that were assigned to him.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

There is no provision for creamy layer in reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Constitution as envisaged by BR Ambedkar, the Centre said today days after the Supreme Court order on sub quotas.

Briefing reporters after the cabinet meet, Information Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said there was a detailed discussion at the meeting on a recent Supreme Court judgment that made certain suggestions on the reservation for the SCs and STs.

He said the cabinet is of a well-thought-out view that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is committed towards the provisions of the Constitution.

“According to the Constitution given by B R Ambedkar, there is no provision for a creamy layer in the SC-ST reservation,” Mr Vaishnaw said, underlining that the provision for SC-ST reservation should be in accordance with the Constitution.

Asked whether the issue was raised by the minister for social justice and empowerment or the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Vaishnaw said it was the unanimous view of the cabinet. 

Earlie today, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal asked the Opposition not to “mislead” the society on the “observations” of a Supreme Court judge on carving out a creamy layer for exclusion from SC/ST reservations.

“The reference to creamy layer in the sub-categorisation of SC/STs is an observation by a Supreme Court judge and not a part of the decision. The member should not make an attempt to mislead the society,” Mr Meghwal said replying to supplementaries during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. 

The Prime Minister today met a delegation of SC/ST MPs and assured them that the government is committed to their welfare.  

“Met a delegation of SC/ST MPs today. Reiterated our commitment and resolve for the welfare and empowerment of the SC/ST communities,” PM Modi posted on X today.

In a majority verdict, the Supreme Court last week said states are empowered to make sub-classifications of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for granting quotas inside the reserved category to uplift more underprivileged castes.

A seven-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud held by a 6:1 majority that the further sub-classification of SCs and STs by states can be permitted to ensure grant of quota to more backward castes inside these groups.

The bench delivered six separate judgments.

The majority verdict said the basis of sub-classification has to be justified by “quantifiable and demonstrable data by the states, which cannot act on its whims”.

Gorakhpur:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath alleged on Thursday that the previous UPA government at the centre tried to reduce reservations for the OBC, SC and ST communities by providing quotas to Muslims. But the attempt has not succeeded because of the BJP’s protest, he added.

“As UPA chairperson from 2004 to 2014, Sonia Gandhi constituted Justice Ranganath Mishra’s committee to put a dent in the OBC reservation and the committee had recommended that 6% of the OBC reservation should be given to Muslims,” Mr Adityanath told ANI.

“BJP and NDA had protested at that time; their plans could not be fulfilled, and then these people also tried to intrude on the rights of SC, ST and that in the Sachar Committee Report, some castes of Muslims should be included in the Scheduled Castes. The Congress manifesto is divisive. The plans of Congress will not be fulfilled and at least Sonia Gandhi should develop the habit of speaking the truth,” he added.

Reacting to the Congress’s allegation that the BJP is indulging in divisive politics, he accused the Congress of pursuing a ‘divide and rule’ policy.

“…’Ulta chor kotwaal ko daante’. Everyone is aware that ‘divide and rule’ has been inherited by the Congress party. Congress allowed the devious ploy of the British to partition the country,” Mr Adityanath said.

Earlier in the day, while addressing an election rally for the Akbarpur Lok Sabha seat in Kanpur, he said that the election is between ‘Ram Bhakts’ and ‘Ramdrohis’.

He further said that after the end of three phases of Lok Sabha elections, only the slogan of ‘Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar, Abki Baar 400 Paar’ is echoing across the country.

“When they fail to comprehend anything, they resort to conspiracies against India. Statements from opposition parties indicate that these elections are between ‘Ram Bhakts’ and ‘Ramdrohis’. Those who are ‘Ram Bhakts’ are also ‘Rashtra Bhakts’ of the nation,” he said.

The UP CM urged voters to vote in favour of BJP candidate Devendra Singh Bhole. CM Yogi expressed that the mere mention of the name ‘Akbarpur’ often “evokes hesitation.”

“All of this will change. We must put an end to the signs of slavery and honour our heritage. This region needs to be integrated with the mainstream of development. To achieve this goal, active participation through voting in the ongoing national campaign is essential,” the Chief Minister added.

He stated that it is an “eternal truth” that ‘Ramdrohis’ have always met their downfall and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will confirm this truth.

He emphasized, “This is not merely an election to form a government. On one hand, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the country is being established as a new and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, while on the other hand, ‘Ramdrohis’ are working to divide us based on caste and regional identities.”

“Terrorists are being glorified, and mafias are encouraged. There is a conspiracy underway to grant the rights of Scheduled Castes, Tribes, and Backward Castes to minorities,” he added.

Attacking the opposition, CM Yogi said that during the UPA government, the Ranganath Mishra Committee had recommended giving Muslims a 6 per cent reservation by deducting from the reservation for backward classes. He added that it was only after the BJP opposed this, that Congress withdrew the proposal.

“Congress has consistently engaged in divisive politics, fostering division within the nation and actively promoting terrorism and separatism in various regions. Congress has once again promised to give such reservations in its manifesto this time”, he said.

The UP Chief Minister stated that Congress and SP did not express condolences on the demise of former UP CM, Kalyan Singh.

“Likewise, there was no compassion shown for the murder of Raju Pal in Prayagraj and advocate Umesh Pal. Presently, the mafia has been eradicated and justice has been served. Their sympathy lies with the mafia and ‘Ramdrohis’,” he said.

CM Yogi mentioned that the BJP government is currently conducting a survey to assess the potential for cultivating sugarcane in the area and plans are underway to establish a sugar and ethanol complex in the region.

“During the SP regime, only guns were manufactured here, but under the Kanpur Defence Corridor, cannons for the nation will be produced. When the cannons will kill terrorists at the border, the names of Kanpur and UP will resonate in everyone’s minds”, the Chief Minister stated.

“Only the BJP government can accomplish such tasks. Whether it’s about free ration or free healthcare, from the birth of a daughter to her education and marriage arrangements, or providing security to daughters and businessmen, your vote is shaping the vision of a new India,” he added.

Taking a dig at the Congress and the INDIA bloc, CM Yogi said, “Those who are responsible for dividing the country will work to divide you in future. We have to make the country self-reliant and developed under the leadership of PM Modi.”

Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, State Government Minister Rakesh Sachan, Pratibha Shukla, MLAs Neelima Katiyar, Abhijeet Singh Sanga, Saroj Kuril, District Panchayat President Swapnil Varun, MP candidate Devendra Singh Bhole, former minister Aruna Kori, BJP Vice President Devesh Soni and other dignitaries were present at the event.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday opposed limiting reservation to 50 per cent in employment and education and demanded that respective states be allowed to decide on the quantum of quota. Tamil Nadu, for instance, had a maximum of 69 per cent reservation and it should not be capped at 50 per cent, the Chief Minister said virtually addressing the second conference of All India Federation for Social Justice, New Delhi.

Hence, based on the population of the deserving sections, the states should be allowed to decide on the quantum of quota, the president of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu said.

He accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of not properly implementing the reservation policy.

Power to grant reservation by apportioning it on the basis of population proportionate to the respective states, should rest with the state governments, the Chief Minister argued.

“Therefore, it is not correct to say that the reservation should not go beyond 50 per cent. Providing reservation is the right of the states and the power should be devolved so that the respective states can give due reservation to their people,” MK Stalin said.

Taking a dig at RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for expressing his support for reservation, MK Stalin sought to know where the same RSS was when the V P Singh regime that provided social justice to the BC was toppled. “Was it not the same RSS? Now Mohan Bhagwat is talking about reservation to deceive the marginalised sections as Lok Sabha election is approaching,” he said.

If the BJP was really interested in social justice, then it would have implemented the 27 per cent reservation policy during its 9 years of rule, Stalin said and added that the BJP does not want the poor, BC, SC and tribals to progress. “That is why they are against social justice,” the Chief Minister said.

He urged the Central government to implement the two demands made by late Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on October 14, 1973, in Uttar Pradesh, on providing quota for SCs in central government jobs and to fill up the government posts by allocating a specific quantum of reservation for the SC and Backward sections.

He stated that the late M Karunanidhi was instrumental in pressuring the V P Singh government to implement the recommendations of the Mandal Commission in 1990. The V P Singh government was toppled by the BJP.

Social justice is the basic rule of the DMK founded on this principle. The Dravidian movement came into existence to ensure social justice and an egalitarian society, he said. The DMK’s progenitor, the Justice Party formed in 1916, provided caste-based reservation after it came to power in 1922.

“The Raja of Panagal (Panaganti Ramarayaningar, the president of the Justice Party who served as Premier of Madras Presidency) introduced the caste-based reservation and passed an order in this regard. Looking at Tamil Nadu, various states are providing social justice,” the Chief Minister said.

He claimed credit for the Dravidian movement in providing social justice to the people of Tamil Nadu but also in guiding the oppressed people of other states of India to get their rights.

Following protests in Tamil Nadu, the Indian Constitution was amended for the first time and 15(4) of the First Amendment stated that “no section shall prevent the provision of privileges to any member of the community who is socially and educationally backward,” MK Stalin said. This development made former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru refer to the “happenings in Madras,” in Parliament.

“Socially and Educationally” is the definition of social justice in the Constitution. Article 340 of the Constitution of India, which empowers the establishment of the Commission for Backward Classes, defines ‘Socially and Educationally,’ he said. “That is providing reservation socially and educationally for the downtrodden is defined in the Constitution,” the Chief Minister said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)