In a recent interview, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, accusing it of attempting to “loot” the 27 per cent reservation meant for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in India. The Prime Minister cited instances where he alleged the Congress had sought to prioritize religious-based quotas over OBC reservations.

Addressing a query regarding a 2006 video featuring former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh advocating for prioritizing resources for poor Muslims, PM Modi pointed to the Congress’s 2024 Lok Sabha election manifesto, suggesting it bore the “stamp of the Muslim League.”

Highlighting historical instances, PM Modi claimed that Singh’s tenure had witnessed attempts to divert a portion of the OBC quota to Muslims. He alleged that Congress, initially opposed to OBC reservations, reversed its stance in the 1990s due to electoral considerations.

PM Modi recounted Congress’s actions in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, where, he claimed, the party classified Muslims as OBCs for political gains. He accused Congress of attempting to “loot” the constitutionally mandated 27 per cent OBC quota, referring to past manifesto promises and cabinet notes aimed at granting reservation based on religion.

Denouncing Congress’s approach, PM Modi invoked the framers of the Indian Constitution, emphasizing their consensus against religion-based reservations. He warned of potential threats to reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) if Congress’s alleged agenda persisted.

Responding to Congress’s arguments regarding the underrepresentation of OBCs in the judiciary and media, PM Modi refuted claims of his government obstructing OBC growth, attributing such issues to Congress’s past actions.

Asserting the BJP’s commitment to social justice, PM Modi highlighted the appointments of Abdul Kalam, Ramnath Kovind, and Droupadi Murmu to the presidency as indicative of the party’s inclusive vision.