Dehradun, December 24: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly countered statements made by Congress leaders visiting from Delhi, accusing the opposition party of spreading misinformation regarding Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s legacy. BJP state president Mahendra Bhatt criticized Congress for its alleged history of undermining the rights of Dalits and backward classes by extending reservation benefits to minority communities.
Addressing the media, Bhatt asserted that the Congress has consistently prioritized its minority vote bank over constitutional principles. "This is the same party that seeks to exceed the 50% reservation limit solely to benefit certain religious communities," he remarked, challenging local Congress leaders to clarify their stance on the issue.
Bhatt described Congress leaders as "purveyors of lies," accusing them of using Ambedkar’s name for political gain while overlooking historical instances of alleged mistreatment. He referenced claims that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru opposed Ambedkar’s inclusion in the Constitution Drafting Committee, actively campaigned against his elections, and even refused land in Delhi for Ambedkar’s last rites. “Despite Ambedkar’s monumental contributions to the nation, Congress ignored him for decades, denying him the Bharat Ratna and neglecting landmarks associated with his legacy,” Bhatt alleged.
The BJP further accused Congress of attempting to dilute the constitutional rights of marginalized groups by using reservation policies for minority appeasement. Bhatt cited examples, including Congress allegedly suppressing the Kaka Kalelkar and Mandal Commission reports, which advocated for the rights of backward classes. He also claimed that Congress-governed states and the opposition's INDIA alliance are actively redistributing reservations meant for Dalits and backward classes to minority communities.
Highlighting Congress’s alleged agenda, Bhatt stated, “The party has repeatedly tried to grant reservations to Muslims, proposing to exceed the 50% cap set by the Constitution. This is a clear example of religion-based appeasement.” He called on Congress leaders in Uttarakhand to clarify whether they support reservations for minorities at the expense of the backward classes and if they endorse raising the reservation limit for such purposes.
The BJP's statements have sparked a fresh round of debate over reservation policies and the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, with both parties likely to escalate their rhetoric as the discourse continues.
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