Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp critique of the Congress party on Monday, accusing them of promoting “vote bank politics” following their opposition to the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act. In a series of statements, Modi took aim at Congress for undermining the spirit of the Constitution, while also addressing what he described as their longstanding neglect of marginalized communities in India.
Waqf Law Opposition: A “Virus” of Vote Bank Politics
While inaugurating several projects in Haryana, including the commencement of direct flight operations from Hisar airport and the foundation stone laying for an 800MW thermal power plant, PM Modi did not hold back in his attack on the Congress party.
Modi directly linked Congress’s opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act to the party’s broader pattern of vote bank politics. He described this as a “virus” that Congress has been spreading throughout the country, undermining unity and progress for the sake of electoral advantage.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act is a piece of legislation that modifies existing laws regarding waqf properties, primarily aiming to make their management more transparent and accountable. The prime minister’s remarks centered on the benefits of the Act, which he claimed would aid those in need rather than allowing land mafia groups to take control of such valuable properties.
“Congress is standing against a law that is meant to help the underprivileged by allowing them to benefit from waqf properties. But instead of helping these communities, Congress has aligned itself with land mafias, depriving the most vulnerable of their rights,” Modi stated.
Allegations Against Congress’s Treatment of Marginalized Communities
PM Modi also revisited Congress’s historical treatment of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). He emphasized that these communities were marginalized during Congress’s rule and accused the party of treating them as “second-class citizens.”
“Babasaheb Ambedkar envisioned equality for all, but the Congress used its political muscle to make sure that SC, ST, and OBCs were never treated as equals,” Modi said, referencing the contributions of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of India’s Constitution.
The prime minister’s comments come as part of his larger narrative of highlighting the achievements of his government in uplifting these communities, which he claims were neglected under Congress rule. He cited key programs like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, which has provided millions of bank accounts to previously unbanked citizens, the construction of over 11 crore toilets, and the provision of potable water to rural households, all of which he claims have benefitted SC, ST, and OBC populations disproportionately.
Accusations of Crippling the Constitution’s Spirit
In his speech, PM Modi didn’t limit his criticism to Congress’s policies alone. He accused the party of subverting the spirit of India’s Constitution in its bid to cling to power. The prime minister referenced the Emergency period (1975-77), calling it a time when Congress not only trampled on democratic principles but also undermined the Constitution to retain political control.
“There is nothing in the Constitution that supports the kind of actions Congress took during the Emergency. It was a time when the very essence of democracy and equality was crushed,” Modi said.
Modi’s rhetoric highlights the political polarization between his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress, where both sides accuse each other of undermining national interests in favor of maintaining political dominance.
A Record of Achievements: Power, Water, and Benefits for the Underprivileged
Throughout his visit to Haryana, PM Modi juxtaposed his government’s achievements with Congress’s alleged failures. He took pride in his administration’s provision of essential services to millions of rural households, such as tap water and toilets, claiming that these are tangible measures that benefit the poorest sections of society.
He pointed out that within a span of six to seven years, his government had connected more than 12 crore rural households to clean drinking water, and 80 percent of rural homes now have access to tap water, a significant improvement compared to the Congress era when only 16 out of every 100 rural households had this access.
“Our government has worked tirelessly to uplift the poor. Under our schemes, SC, ST, and OBC communities are now getting their rightful share of benefits, whether it’s in the form of bank accounts, toilets, or clean drinking water,” he said, underscoring that these improvements would have been impossible if Congress had continued to govern.
The Congress Response: A Controversial Debate
While Modi’s statements on the Waqf law and his critique of Congress’s treatment of marginalized communities will surely resonate with BJP supporters, the Congress party is unlikely to back down from its opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The party has historically claimed that such laws are often poorly crafted and disproportionately affect marginalized groups.
For now, the political tug-of-war between Congress and the BJP over issues like the Waqf law, treatment of SC, ST, and OBCs, and the handling of national governance seems poised to continue. With the general election approaching, such debates will only intensify.
