Congress's Stance on Reservations Under Fire: Nana Patole’s Remarks Ignite SC, ST, and OBC Concerns
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The Congress has always used the narrative that the party has idolized the Constitution and its architect, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. However, Congress's actions have contradicted this stance on several occasions.
It is pertinent to mention that the party has not fully implemented Ambedkar's constitutional provisions. for e.g. supporting separate constitutions for Kashmir and the rest of India. It is also evident that the Congress party has used the Constitution and Ambedkar’s legacy primarily as tools for electoral gain.
During multiple Lok Sabha elections, Congress leaders, including international advisor Sam Pitroda, and prominent figures like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi, faced criticism for their ambivalent stance on reservations designed to support disadvantaged communities. These reservations, established by Ambedkar, were intended to uplift marginalized communities. In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has maintained and even expanded reservations for eligible communities within the non-creamy layer.
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi came under fire for suggesting that Congress might abolish reservations, a claim that received limited media coverage and minimal opposition from other Congress leaders. Now, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole even confirmed that the party intends to end the existing reservation system in the country, sparking backlash among SC, ST, and OBC communities.
The BJP has questioned Congress’s authority to revoke these reservations, citing a growing sense of indignation among disadvantaged communities. The controversy surrounding Congress’s stance on reservations has led some within these communities to consider this issue when approaching future elections.