Agartala, September 22: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a sit-in protest outside its headquarters in Agartala on Sunday, denouncing Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for his controversial remarks made during his recent speech in the United States.
BJP leaders claimed that Gandhi’s comments reflect an anti-reservation stance of the Congress and accused him of disrespecting the Indian Constitution and the provisions meant for the upliftment of backward classes.
Leading the protest, BJP leader and former Chairman of the National Council for Schedule Castes Arun Halder condemned Rahul Gandhi’s statement, alleging that it revealed the Congress leader’s disregard for constitutional guarantees related to reservation.
“Rahul Gandhi, during his visit to America, blatantly disregarded the Indian Constitution by suggesting that if the Congress were to come into power, it would end the reservation system. Article 338 of the Constitution grants special provisions for the socio-economic and cultural development of backward classes,” Halder said.
Halder further emphasized the significant role played by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, in ensuring the inclusion of reservation policies.
He added that Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s vision for empowering the backward sections of society through reservation was supported by nationalist leaders at the time of India’s independence. These provisions were included in the Constitution to ensure the upliftment of marginalized communities.
Protesters demanded that Rahul Gandhi issue a public apology for his comments.
The BJP alleged that the Congress leader’s speech undermined the struggles of millions of backward class citizens who benefit from the reservation system, which has been in place to correct historic injustices.
“Rahul Gandhi has not only insulted the Constitution but also disrespected the very fabric of India’s inclusive democracy. His anti-reservation mindset has been exposed, and the BJP will continue to organize protests across the country until he retracts his statement and apologizes,” Halder asserted.
BJP leaders and party workers echoed these sentiments, accusing the Congress party of historically neglecting the interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
The sit-in protest in Agartala is part of a larger nationwide campaign organized by the BJP to counter Rahul Gandhi’s remarks.
