Bhiwani, Haryana, May 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal after the Calcutta High Court invalidated all OBC certificates issued in the state after 2010. Addressing a public gathering in Haryana’s Bhiwani, PM Modi assured that reservations for Dalits and tribals will remain protected as long as he is alive.
“In West Bengal, they have issued OBC certificates to Muslims overnight and that too to infiltrators. The High Court has invalidated all the OBC certificates issued to Muslims in the last 10-12 years. See the mentality of the INDI Alliance, the Chief Minister of Bengal has said that she will not accept the decision of the High Court. She will give OBC reservations to Muslims,” Modi stated.
He further criticized the Congress, TMC, and other parties of the INDI Alliance, accusing them of prioritizing their vote bank over national integrity. “Congress, TMC, and other parties of the INDI Alliance are supporting their vote bank. But today, I’m here to assure you that no one can snatch reservations for Dalits, or tribals till Modi is alive. Modi is the watchman for the rights of the deprived and this is not a political speech, it is Modi’s guarantee,” he added.
The Prime Minister’s comments come in the wake of the Calcutta High Court’s decision to cancel all OBC certificates issued in West Bengal post-2010. The court directed the West Bengal Backward Classes Commission to prepare a new list of OBCs in accordance with the 1993 Act. Those who were on the OBC list before 2010 will remain unaffected, while approximately 5 lakh OBC certificates issued after 2010 are set to be canceled. The court also ruled that those who have secured jobs under the OBC quota since 2010 will not be excluded from their positions.
Reacting to the High Court’s ruling, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared her refusal to accept the judgment. “I heard a judge passing an order, who has been very famous. The Prime Minister is saying that minorities will take away the Tapasheeli reservation, can this ever happen? Minorities can never touch the Tapasheeli or tribal reservation, but these mischievous people (BJP) get their work done through agencies, they have got the order through someone but I will not accept this opinion. Those who have given the order should keep it to themselves, we will not accept the opinion of BJP, OBC reservation continues and will always continue,” Banerjee said at a rally in Khardah.
The controversy underscores the ongoing tension between the BJP and the TMC over reservation policies and minority rights, further intensifying the political climate as the country heads into a crucial election season
