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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday mounted a strong attack on the Congress in the Lok Sabha, alleging that the party has consistently opposed caste-based census and reservation for Other Backwards Classes (OBCs) during its decades in power.
Where the Debate Stands
Speaking during the debate on the Women’s Reservation Bill and related delimitation proposals in the special Parliament session, Shah questioned the Congress’s commitment to social justice.
“The Congress party has historically opposed caste-based census and reservation,” Shah said.
The Minister also pointed out that the Congress had never appointed an OBC leader as Prime Minister during its long tenure, adding that this changed only after Narendra Modi assumed office.
Shah cited historical instances to back his claims, noting that in 1980, the Indira Gandhi government put the Mandal Commission recommendations on hold.
The Minister added that in 1990, when Rajiv Gandhi was Prime Minister, the report found acceptance. He said Rajiv Gandhi delivered a two-and-a-half-hour speech in Parliament opposing OBC reservation.
Contrasting the Congress approach with that of the current government, Shah said the BJP prioritises representation and participation over electoral gains.
“For Congress, winning elections is the priority. But for us, representation of the people of our country and their genuine participation in governance are far more important,” he said.
His remarks came amid sharp exchanges in the House over the women’s quota legislation and its linkage to delimitation.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, have demanded a caste census before proceeding, arguing it is necessary to ensure sub-quotas for OBC, SC and ST women.
Shah’s intervention sought to counter this narrative by highlighting past decisions of the Congress on the Mandal Commission and positioning the BJP-led government as committed to backward class empowerment.
The debate is likely to intensify as Parliament moves closer to voting on the proposed constitutional amendments, with issues of social justice, caste enumeration and representation taking centre stage.
Also Read: Census To Include Caste Enumeration, Says Amit Shah In Lok Sabha
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