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The BJP leaders’ protest against Rahul Gandhi, falsely accusing him of making anti-reservation statements, is like ‘butchers protesting against animal cruelty’. What moral authority do those who have historically opposed reservations and sought to change the Constitution have to stage such protests?

It’s no surprise that BJP leaders, who have always held anti-reservation sentiments, lack the understanding or wisdom to interpret Rahul Gandhi’s statement. The primary objective of reservation is to ensure equal opportunities for all in education, employment, and access to resources. This isn’t just something Rahul Gandhi is saying - I stand by it too. How can this be construed as an anti-reservation statement?

Dr B R Ambedkar introduced the reservation policy into the Constitution with the goal of providing equal opportunities in education, employment, and access for all. However, even today, Dalits, minorities, and backward classes do not have equal opportunities, and social inequality persists. It is as clear as day that casteist elites like BJP leaders are responsible for this.

History stands as proof that the RSS, the ideological parent of the BJP, has defended the caste system since its very inception. Whenever opportunities for social justice have opened up, the BJP has fought against them. In Karnataka, the BJP opposed local body reservations, even filing a petition in the Supreme Court led by the late Justice Rama Jois. Across the country, the BJP has consistently protested against reservation policies.

When former Prime Minister V P Singh implemented the Mandal Commission report, the BJP incited violence, leading to the deaths of innocent students. In opposition to Mandal, the BJP launched the ’Kamandal’ movement, attempting to fill people’s minds with the opium of religion. Their communalism was not only targeted at minorities but also aimed at destroying the Dalit and minority communities.

Today, BJP leaders lack the courage to openly oppose reservations due to the growing awareness among beneficiaries. Instead, they attempt to amend the Constitution on one hand, and on the other, create divisions among those benefiting from reservations, thereby weakening the tool of social justice.

The beneficiaries of reservation - Dalits, backward classes, and minority communities - are now fully aware. They know who their true allies and enemies are. Our people are not naive enough to trust those who secretly oppose reservation but publicly shout slogans in its favour. They have seen how BJP and its affiliates have undermined opportunities for social justice, including reservation, and will not be swayed by false promises.

The Supreme Court recommended a caste-based socio-economic survey precisely to determine whether equal opportunities have been achieved. Our government in Karnataka has already undertaken this. If BJP leaders and their Union Government are truly committed to social justice, they should immediately conduct a nationwide Caste Census. This is essential to determine whether reservation has truly reached the most marginalised sections of society.

Our leader Rahul Gandhi has publicly, and in the Lok Sabha, declared that the Congress party is committed to increasing the reservation quota from the current 50% to 75%. If BJP leaders are truly as committed to reservation as they claim, they should pressure the Union Government to increase the reservation quota from 50% to 75%.