mayawati-slams-bjp-and-congress-for-anti-obc-stance

BSP supremo Mayawati has sharply criticised both the BJP and Congress regarding their stance on the caste census during the ongoing parliamentary session. She accused both parties of being fiercely anti-OBC (Other Backward Classes). In a series of posts on the social media platform X, Mayawati voiced her concerns and highlighted the efforts of her own party, BSP, in implementing OBC reservations.

 

Taking to X, she said, "Yesterday, the ongoing dispute between Congress and BJP etc. in the Parliament, especially on caste and caste census, was a drama and an attempt to deceive the OBC community." She further added, "The history of both parties regarding their reservation has been fiercely anti-OBC, both openly and behind the scenes. It is not right to trust them."

 

Mayawati emphasised that the implementation of OBC reservations in the country was due to the efforts of the BSP. She asserted, "The OBC reservation was implemented here due to the efforts of the BSP." In her posts, she also expressed support for a national caste census, calling it a special issue of public benefit.

 

"National Caste Census is a special national issue of public interest, towards which the Centre needs to be serious. Crores of poor, backward and Bahujans also have a right in the development of the country, in fulfilling which the caste census plays an important role," she stated.

 

The debate over the caste census intensified in Parliament on Wednesday, with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and BJP MP Anurag Thakur engaging in a heated argument. Thakur criticised those advocating for the caste census, implying their own caste backgrounds were not known.

 

"Those whose caste is not known, talk about the caste census. I want to remind the speaker that in this house itself, a former prime minister RG-1 (Rajiv Gandhi) had opposed reservation for OBCs," he said.

 

In response, Rahul Gandhi defended his position and criticised the BJP for their stance. He stated, "Whoever raises the issues of Adivasi, Dalit and the backward is abused. I will happily accept these abuses... Anurag Thakur has abused me and insulted me. But I do not want any apology from him."

 

The Congress party has made the caste census a central promise in its 2024 general elections campaign. They have pledged to pass a constitutional amendment to raise the Supreme Court-mandated 50 per cent cap on reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).

 

The party's manifesto also includes a commitment to conduct a nationwide socio-economic and caste census to enumerate the castes and sub-castes and their socio-economic conditions.

 

Mayawati's strong words underscore the deep-seated divisions and contentious nature of the caste census debate in Indian politics. Her accusations of anti-OBC bias against both BJP and Congress are a significant commentary on the ongoing struggle for caste-based reservations and the political manoeuvring surrounding it.

 

As the 2024 general elections approach, the discourse around caste census and reservations is likely to remain a hot-button issue, with parties vying to secure the support of OBC communities.