PM Modi speaking in the Rajya Sabha during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that the Congress kept Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) deprived of their rights in Jammu and Kashmir for seven decades and it was after abrogation of Article 370 of the constitution of India (which granted special status to erstwhile State of J&K) that the Government extended these communities their rights.
He was referring to passing of three bills in Lok Sabha yesterday granting reservation to the OBCs in Municipalities and Panchayats, inclusion of Valmikis in Scheduled Castes (SCs) and grant of ST status to Paharis. Prior to this STs were given 10 percent reservation in the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir for the first time.
“The benefits which had been extended to SCs, STs and OBCs at other places for years together were given in Jammu and Kashmir only after abrogation of Article 370,” Modi said.
Noting that there was no reservation to Other Backward Classes in Local Self Government in Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said only yesterday the Lok Sabha passed a bill to this effect.
“The Congress always had a problem with SCs, STs and OBCs,” Modi said.
It may be mentioned here that yesterday, the Lok Sabha passed three bills pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir including granting reservation to Other Backward Classes in Municipalities and Panchayats, inclusion of Valmikis in Scheduled Caste category and granting Scheduled Tribe status to Pahari Ethnic Tribe, Paddari tribe, Koli and Gadda Brahmins.
“The third term of our Government is not far away. Some people call it Modi 3.0. Modi 3.0 will put its all might to strengthen the foundation of ‘Viksit Bharat’,” the Prime Minister said.
In his 90-minute speech, considered his last in Parliament before Lok Sabha polls, Modi targeted the Congress saying there is public anger against the party because of its deeds and pointed to its dwindled strength in Lok Sabha.
“The Congress has been against Dalits, backwards, tribals and had it not been for Babasaheb Ambedkar, they would not have got any reservation,” the Prime Minister said, picking up from where he left off in his reply in Lok Sabha on Monday.
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