Lalu Yadav’s ‘poora’ Muslim quota remark draws vote bank jibe from PM
In Short
- Amid row, Lalu Yadav says basis of reservation should not be religion
- PM Modi says opposition can’t see beyond appeasement
- JD(U) says Lalu Prasad’s stand violates Mandal Commission report
Lalu Prasad Yadav’s recent remarks advocating for extending reservation benefits to Muslims have ignited a political firestorm, particularly drawing sharp criticism from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his former political ally, the JD(U).
The former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief voiced his support for “poora” (complete) reservation for Muslims, alleging that the ruling BJP aimed to dismantle reservations by dismantling the Constitution.
Speaking in Patna, Lalu Yadav asserted, “Reservation toh milna chahiye Musalmano ko, poora… They (BJP) want to finish off the Constitution and democracy of the country.”
However, following the ensuing controversy, he clarified his stance through a video message, emphasizing that reservation should be based on social backwardness rather than religion.
Lalu Yadav’s comments have injected new complexity into the ongoing debate surrounding reservations, particularly amid the backdrop of the Lok Sabha elections.
The BJP swiftly capitalized on his remarks, accusing the opposition, particularly the “INDIA bloc,” of engaging in appeasement politics rather than addressing substantive issues.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, campaigning in Madhya Pradesh, seized upon Lalu Yadav’s statement to launch a scathing attack on the opposition, accusing them of prioritizing appeasement over genuine concerns.
He condemned Lalu Prasad’s advocacy for reservations for Muslims, labeling him as a “fodder scam accused leader” out on bail.
Modi insinuated that by advocating for additional reservations for Muslims, Lalu Prasad and his party were effectively seeking to diminish the existing quotas allocated to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
The BJP’s national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi further reiterated this stance, alleging that Lalu Yadav’s use of the term “pura ka pura” (full) in his statement indicated a clear intention to redistribute existing reservation quotas in favor of Muslims, at the expense of other disadvantaged communities.
Even Lalu Yadav’s former political ally, the JD(U), joined the chorus of criticism. The party condemned his remarks, asserting that such a stance contradicted the fundamental principles of the Constitution and the recommendations of the Mandal Commission report, which Lalu himself once championed.
The Mandal Commission, established in 1979, aimed to identify socially and educationally backward classes in India and recommended reservations for both Hindus and Muslims belonging to these communities.
JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi emphasized that religion should never serve as a criterion for extending reservation benefits, arguing that doing so would undermine the intended purpose of reservations, which is to uplift those disadvantaged due to social and educational backwardness.
In essence, Lalu Prasad Yadav’s advocacy for “poora” reservation for Muslims has reignited debates on reservation policies in India, drawing strong reactions from political quarters and sparking discussions on the intersection of religion, politics, and social justice.