Amit Shah Criticizes Rahul Gandhi Over Reservation Remarks in the US
New Delhi [India], September 11: Union Minister Amit Shah criticized Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for his comments on reservations made during his visit to the US. Shah accused Gandhi of supporting forces that aim to divide the country and stated that the BJP will not allow anyone to abolish reservations or compromise national security.
On the microblogging site X, Shah wrote, “Standing with forces that conspire to divide the country and making anti-national statements have become a habit for Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. Whether it is supporting the JKNC’s anti-national and anti-reservation agenda in J&K or making anti-India statements on foreign platforms, Rahul Gandhi has always threatened the nation’s security and hurt sentiments.”
Shah further alleged that Gandhi’s statements reveal his divisive policies, adding, “Rahul Gandhi’s statement lays bare the Congress’s politics of causing rifts on the lines of regionalism, religion, and linguistic differences.” Shah emphasized that the BJP will not let anyone abolish reservations or harm the nation’s security.
BJP leader Nalin Kohli also criticized Gandhi, accusing him of standing with the “tukde-tukde gang” and appearing happy when meeting people against India’s interests. Kohli said, “Every time Rahul Gandhi ji goes abroad he seems to give a clear signal that he is happy to meet those who are against India’s interests. He has been seen standing with the ‘tukde-tukde’ gang and also seems to be taking a stance with helps China.”
On Monday, Rahul Gandhi, while interacting with students and faculty at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, said that the Congress party would consider scrapping reservations when India becomes a “fair place.” He highlighted the lack of representation for OBCs, Dalits, and Adivasis in the country, calling it the “elephant in the room.” Gandhi also reiterated the need for a caste census to assess the participation of lower castes and backward communities since independence.
Gandhi pointed out the disparity in representation within the Indian government, stating, “If you look at the Indian government, there are 70 bureaucrats who run the Indian government, secretaries to the government of India. These are the people who make almost all the financial decisions…Out of 70 people, there is one tribal, three Dalits, three OBCs and a minority. 90 per cent of India in the government of India has access to less than 10 per cent of the positions that determine how money is going to be spent.”
He further emphasized that the INDIA bloc aims to defend the Constitution and most alliance partners agree on holding a caste census, adding that ‘two businessmen’ should not run every business in the country.
Doubts Revealed
Amit Shah -: Amit Shah is a senior leader in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and currently serves as the Union Home Minister of India. He is responsible for internal security and law and order in the country.
Rahul Gandhi -: Rahul Gandhi is a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress (INC), a major political party in India. He is the son of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.
Reservation -: Reservation in India refers to a system where a certain percentage of seats in government jobs and educational institutions are reserved for people from historically disadvantaged groups like OBCs, Dalits, and Adivasis.
US -: US stands for the United States of America, a country in North America. It is one of the most powerful and influential countries in the world.
Divisive forces -: Divisive forces are groups or ideas that create division and conflict among people. In this context, it means people or ideas that could cause disagreements and problems within the country.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, a major political party in India. It is currently the ruling party and is known for its nationalist policies.
Nalin Kohli -: Nalin Kohli is a spokesperson and leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He often speaks on behalf of the party in media and public forums.
Anti-India interests -: Anti-India interests refer to people or groups that are against the interests of India. They may try to harm the country’s unity, security, or development.
Georgetown University -: Georgetown University is a prestigious university located in Washington, D.C., USA. It is known for its strong programs in politics, law, and international relations.
OBCs -: OBCs stands for Other Backward Classes. These are communities in India that are socially and educationally disadvantaged and are given special reservations to help them progress.
Dalits -: Dalits are people who belong to the lowest caste in the traditional Indian caste system. They have faced discrimination and social exclusion for centuries.
Adivasis -: Adivasis are indigenous people in India. They are the original inhabitants of the land and often live in remote areas with their own distinct cultures and traditions.
Caste census -: A caste census is a survey that collects data on the different castes in India. It helps the government understand the population distribution and make policies to support disadvantaged groups.